Stateville wing on governor's hit list

Wow. Surprised it has taken so long for this to happen.

what is wrong with shutting statesville and moving inmates to a brand new empty prison if they want job s they will move with the con s if they dont they dont

I really don't know if Joitet should be closed or not; the experts can make that decision. However, i certainly agree with Lee Ann Goodson; "Your really don't know what to expect from the governor". It seems like the wild idea of the week administration is capable of anything to try to balance a budget. But more to the question, why was the Thomson Correctional Center built in the first place if it has been setting empty since construction in 2001. Just another example of prudent management (or lack thereof) from Springfield. With the economy sagging and taxes ever increasing, I would hope to see better use of my tax dollars.

R Dickson wrote:

I really don't know if Joitet should be closed or not; the experts can make that decision. However, i certainly agree with Lee Ann Goodson; "Your really don't know what to expect from the governor". It seems like the wild idea of the week administration is capable of anything to try to balance a budget. But more to the question, why was the Thomson Correctional Center built in the first place if it has been setting empty since construction in 2001. Just another example of prudent management (or lack thereof) from Springfield. With the economy sagging and taxes ever increasing, I would hope to see better use of my tax dollars.

If you want better use of tax dollars then you would want Stateville closed. It costs nearly 30 million a year just to run the old side and that is not including the gobs of overtime pay they throw out due to the understaffing. That place has only three cell houses that has inmates in it. There are three other buildings there that have no inmates in them due to the buildings not being safe enough to hold them.

This is NOT an arguement about jobs. The 400 prison jobs at Stateville are not the key issue. The key issue is asking tax payers to spend 100 Million over the next decade to upgrade Stateville, which is a 85 year old outdated prison, when a newly built 7 year old Maximum Security prison sits empty.

I applaud the fact that Senator Wilhelmi is fighting for Will County Jobs, and understand that leaving behind an empty prison is never a good thing, but with the budget issues facing the state of IL, the last thing our government leaders need to be fighting about is wasting another 100 Million dollars.

Transfer the prisoners to Thompson, let the guards who want to transfer to there too.....hell, help them out with relocation assistance, as most responsible companies do for their employees.

Then put the Stateville property up for sale, throw some tax benefits into the deal and get some money back for the taxpayers of IL.

Maybe after Stateville is gone, then Joliet will start shedding it's image as a "prison town" - that's a bigger goal that should be on the Senator's mind.

My son just transfered out of Stateville after 3 years there. The conditions are deplorable and the staff should not be allowed to go to a new prison. 90% of them should be fired as most of them have a god complex. They treat visitors as if they were prisoners. I never committed a crime, I just went to visit my son, who confessed to his crime and is doing his time, I should not be treated like a criminal. The food is awful and the medical care is very substandard. My son has a serious medical condition,Crohns Disease, which was not being treated properly. Causing him to have problems with joint pain and sores and swelling in his mouth There is nothing for the prisoners to do all day except sit in their cells, no jobs no schooling. He is now in Pontiac. The guards there are much more pleasant to the visitors. The food is better and there is a chance to get a job or schooling. He has seen the Medical Director and has received the proper meds. His joint pain and mouth sores are gone. He is much happier at Pontiac than he was at Statesville or at least as happy as you can be in prison.

Calvin wrote:

<quoted text>
If you want better use of tax dollars then you would want Stateville closed. It costs nearly 30 million a year just to run the old side and that is not including the gobs of overtime pay they throw out due to the understaffing. That place has only three cell houses that has inmates in it. There are three other buildings there that have no inmates in them due to the buildings not being safe enough to hold them.

Its better to use it as a processing center for the roundup of illegal immigrants. Used as a processing center before they are deported!

concerned wrote:

My son just transfered out of Stateville after 3 years there. The conditions are deplorable and the staff should not be allowed to go to a new prison. 90% of them should be fired as most of them have a god complex. They treat visitors as if they were prisoners. I never committed a crime, I just went to visit my son, who confessed to his crime and is doing his time, I should not be treated like a criminal. The food is awful and the medical care is very substandard. My son has a serious medical condition,Crohns Disease, which was not being treated properly. Causing him to have problems with joint pain and sores and swelling in his mouth There is nothing for the prisoners to do all day except sit in their cells, no jobs no schooling. He is now in Pontiac. The guards there are much more pleasant to the visitors. The food is better and there is a chance to get a job or schooling. He has seen the Medical Director and has received the proper meds. His joint pain and mouth sores are gone. He is much happier at Pontiac than he was at Statesville or at least as happy as you can be in prison.

Stay in Wisconsin! Stay out of Illinois!

concerned wrote:

My son just transfered out of Stateville after 3 years there. The conditions are deplorable and the staff should not be allowed to go to a new prison. 90% of them should be fired as most of them have a god complex. They treat visitors as if they were prisoners. I never committed a crime, I just went to visit my son, who confessed to his crime and is doing his time, I should not be treated like a criminal. The food is awful and the medical care is very substandard. My son has a serious medical condition,Crohns Disease, which was not being treated properly. Causing him to have problems with joint pain and sores and swelling in his mouth There is nothing for the prisoners to do all day except sit in their cells, no jobs no schooling. He is now in Pontiac. The guards there are much more pleasant to the visitors. The food is better and there is a chance to get a job or schooling. He has seen the Medical Director and has received the proper meds. His joint pain and mouth sores are gone. He is much happier at Pontiac than he was at Statesville or at least as happy as you can be in prison.

Glad to hear your criminal son is happy in prison. That's what prisons are for don't you know. If he can't do the time don't do the crime. No sympathy here my friend.

ICE wrote:

<quoted text> Its better to use it as a processing center for the roundup of illegal immigrants. Used as a processing center before they are deported!

A most excellent idea!

ICE wrote:

<quoted text> Its better to use it as a processing center for the roundup of illegal immigrants. Used as a processing center before they are deported!

Have the illegals build a nicer prison while they wait to be deported.

Joliet Jay wrote:

This is NOT an arguement about jobs. The 400 prison jobs at Stateville are not the key issue. The key issue is asking tax payers to spend 100 Million over the next decade to upgrade Stateville, which is a 85 year old outdated prison, when a newly built 7 year old Maximum Security prison sits empty.
I applaud the fact that Senator Wilhelmi is fighting for Will County Jobs, and understand that leaving behind an empty prison is never a good thing, but with the budget issues facing the state of IL, the last thing our government leaders need to be fighting about is wasting another 100 Million dollars.
Transfer the prisoners to Thompson, let the guards who want to transfer to there too.....hell, help them out with relocation assistance, as most responsible companies do for their employees.
Then put the Stateville property up for sale, throw some tax benefits into the deal and get some money back for the taxpayers of IL.
Maybe after Stateville is gone, then Joliet will start shedding it's image as a "prison town" - that's a bigger goal that should be on the Senator's mind.

I didn't realize that Joliet had such an issue with it being classified as a prison town. Guess the same goes for a township or village that has a prison in it and the prison creates such a revenue off of it. But I don't see Joliet, Crest Hill, or Lockport really being impacted by the prison whether it is there or not.

The Thompson prison should be opened to its capacity. If staff want to transfer they will and the rest can work at the reception center or transfer downstate. The old side of Stateville is falling apart and I can't see why anyone would want to keep it open. People say it will keep jobs but it will cost more in the longrun keeping it open. Sometimes you have to crack a few eggs to make an omlett.

JANICE THOMAS wrote:

THIS WOULD BE TO FAR TO TRAVEL AND I AM ALREADY BATTLING WITH BE ABLE TO SEE MY SON ONLY ON THE WEEKEND DUE TO THE VISITING TIME FRAME.

You must be so proud of your son Janice. What's he in for? Weapons charge or drug possesion? I sure hope the prison officials keep your travel times in mind when they make their decisions.

boo hoo, 400 state workers would have to relocate. What about private firms massive layoffs, is anyone crying for them?

JANICE THOMAS wrote:

I FEEL CONFORTABLE WITH MY SON BEING HOUSED AT STATEVILLE. I HEAR SO MANY HORABLE THINGS ABOUT OTHER FACILITIES AND FOR PEOPLE WITH LONG TIME FRAMES IT WOULD BE SO FAR TO TRAVEL TO SEE YOUR FAMILY.

Grammar obviously isn't one of your strong suits. I imagine the benefits of a good education wasn't a message conveyed too often in your household. No wonder junior is in the big house.

Joliet Jay wrote:

This is NOT an arguement about jobs. The 400 prison jobs at Stateville are not the key issue. The key issue is asking tax payers to spend 100 Million over the next decade to upgrade Stateville, which is a 85 year old outdated prison, when a newly built 7 year old Maximum Security prison sits empty.
I applaud the fact that Senator Wilhelmi is fighting for Will County Jobs, and understand that leaving behind an empty prison is never a good thing, but with the budget issues facing the state of IL, the last thing our government leaders need to be fighting about is wasting another 100 Million dollars.
Transfer the prisoners to Thompson, let the guards who want to transfer to there too.....hell, help them out with relocation assistance, as most responsible companies do for their employees.
Then put the Stateville property up for sale, throw some tax benefits into the deal and get some money back for the taxpayers of IL.
Maybe after Stateville is gone, then Joliet will start shedding it's image as a "prison town" - that's a bigger goal that should be on the Senator's mind.

I agree!

Sheila wrote:

boo hoo, 400 state workers would have to relocate. What about private firms massive layoffs, is anyone crying for them?

Good point!