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Was a reported plan to downsize two state prisons just an unapproved draft?

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Illinois

* Background is here if you need it. Tom Collins and Beth Hundsdorfer…

Are units at Pontiac prison going to be closed, maybe taking jobs with them? The governor’s office said it’s only in discussion. […]

(A) spokeswoman for the governor said the document was “a draft plan” assembled for discussion within the agency.

“It was not presented to the Governor’s Office for final approval because it is a draft that is expected to be updated after more discussions,” Press Secretary Jordan Abudayyeh said in a statement. “The Department is always interested in considering new ideas to better serve their population and this draft plan is an attempt to spur discussion about ways to improve services.”

* Capitol News Illinois…

[IDOC chief of staff Camille Lindsay] said in an email the department has not started moving people in order to reduce the populations in these facilities.

That claim was disputed by a representative from AFSCME Council 31 – the union that represents IDOC officers.

“The department began moving offenders out of Pontiac last week with no advance notice to the union, the employees or the individuals who were moved,” said Anders Lindall, public affairs director for AFSCME Council 31.

Lindall noted that the union subsequently received notice of IDOC’s intent to reduce populations at Vandalia and Pontiac with a target date of March 16 for the first phase with additional unit closures to be completed by the summer.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:41 pm

Comments

“Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?”

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:46 pm
Isn’t something like that (the unapproved draft) generally marked “For Internal Discussion Only–Confidential” or even marked “Attorney-Client Privilege” or work product? Even though this draft seems closer to Deliberative Process Privilege instead.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:48 pm
The real question here is if the Department of Corrections is taking these steps without the approval of the Governor’s office, what is the Governor’s office going to do about it?

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 1:05 pm
It’s hard not to argue it just makes sense to move them. AFSCME will Scream of course but the older facilities cost a lot more to move then the newer ones. As long as security needs can be met we should maximize population in the cheapest often newest facilities and close the most expensive older ones. Of course the locals will scream. I wonder if AFSCME would be mollified with a decent relocation bonus for staff.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 1:05 pm
JB seems to follow the lead of California and New York - both of which are closing prisons. I’m sure there won’t be any of those announcements until after November.

Comment by South Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 1:18 pm
The Gov seems to follow the leads of California and New York with some of his policies. California and New York are closing prisons. I wouldn’t expect any announcements before November.

Comment by Trying to Post Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 1:26 pm
The media should not let them walk this back. All this plan is, is a way to circumvent the closing process of COFGA. If they want to save money do it correctly with public hearings and input. They know as long as something is left behind they do not need to follow the laws involving closings and staff lay off / relocations.

Comment by I Love Decatur Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 1:30 pm
This closing plan seems Blagoesque (e.g., Traffic Safety), Quinnesque (various prisons and developmental centers), or Rauneresque (e.g., State Museum) to me.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 1:56 pm
==AFSCME will Scream of course but the older facilities cost a lot more to move then the newer ones. ==

Then if the old ones get closed after all (e.g., Vandalia) I would not be surprised if they still sit abandoned for years, due to the costs of abestos abatement, lead paint, etc. Cases in point: State Armory, Joliet CC, Hanna City Work Camp (although the Monopoly-like cottage houses on that campus built ca. 1950s have been torn down in recent years. Even though when Hanna City closed they looked like they could have still been in good shape for other buyers to purchase and move elsewhere in the area as starter homes).

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 2:05 pm
It’s a draft plan that is being implemented. The double top secret is that this is the final draft. They know once the process is so far along it is not likely to be reversed.

Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 2:05 pm
The big question now is who leaked the plan to the media, despite the likely confidentiality?

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 2:07 pm
-NonAFSCMEstate..-

Some will depend on location of course. Vandalia has a pretty good spread of acreage attached to it that should be easy to sell. It’d make a good site for filming as that older 20’s construction is unique. I’m frankly amazed they aren’t talking about closing Menards. It did just turn 150.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 2:35 pm
Sorry Menards was opened in 1878 so won’t be 150 for 6 more years. Practically a puppy.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 2:43 pm
There’s something very wrong if we’ve reduced population by 42% but don’t close some facilities and significantly downsize staff. If you want to find somewhere for them to land outside of DOC, fine, but keeping staffing levels and facilities that aren’t needed is insanity.

Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 3:16 pm
Does any of the IDOC population decrease simply have to do with IDOC not taking as many inmates from county jails due to COVID? Is this a result of marijuana legalization?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 3:58 pm
==“Attorney-Client Privilege” or work product==

Speaking of Attorney Client Privilege and Work Product Privilege. As a open records supporter, I feel ACP and AWP have absolutely no business happening in state government. As that plus the deliberative process privilege has basically been turned into CYA

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 5:25 pm