Storm Damage Raises Concerns about Prison Space

The union representing Illinois correctional workers says storm damage forced the transfer of dozens of inmates from the Dixon prison. The union says that raises doubts about Governor Pat Quinn's plan to close the supermaximum-security lockup at Tamms.

The Department of Corrections said Saturday it moved 78 inmates from Dixon to segregated cells at Pontiac Correctional Center after a severe storm in north-central Illinois Friday night damaged the Dixon penitentiary. Anders Lindall is spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. He says the Dixon prisoners were from the unit that houses mentally ill inmates. Lindall says such incidents underscore why the overcrowded prison system can't absorb more inmates if Tamms closes. But Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano says the Dixon unit should reopen before Tamms shuts down by August 31st.