© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gov Renews Call for Closing Tamms

IL Gov. Pat Quinn
IL Gov. Pat Quinn

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is defending his plan to close the Tamms Correctional Center.During a news conference Tuesday in Chicago, the governor renewed his call to shutter the state's only super maximum security prison. Quinn says nearly 200 maximum security inmates at Tamms will be transferred to Pontiac Correctional Center.  Ironically some of the current Tamms inmates are from Pontiac.  They were sent to Tamms because of the danger they posed to other inmates and guards at Pontiac.

Tamms has an annual operating cost of 26-million dollars.  The governor says the cost of housing an inmate at Tamms is nearly three times the state average. If the Governor's plan is approved it would mean the loss of 300-jobs when Tamms is scheduled to close at the end of August.

The governor also wants to close the Dwight Correctional Center.  He says closing both prisons will save the state 48-million dollars.

Jeff Williams is the Associate Director for Radio and Station Manager for WSIU Radio. Jeff is a native of southern Illinois and has been in broadcasting for 30 years. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiuradio@wsiu.org
As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.