Judge Rules To Keep Prisons Open

By aaroncynic in News on Oct 11, 2012 9:00PM

For now, the prisons Gov. Pat Quinn wants to close will remain open. A judge ruled yesterday in favor of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and issued an injunction which keeps the Tamms supermax prison, Dwight Correctional Facility, and three others open, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. Quinn has pushed for the closure of the prisons as part of budget cutting measures.

Associate Circuit Court Judge Charles Cavaness said that employees, represented by AFSCME, could suffer “irreparable harm if the closures are implemented…prior to the completion of arbitration on the merits of the health and safety grievances.” AFSCME Executive Director Henry Bayer lauded the ruling, saying in a statement:

“The courts have now ruled three times in favor of prison workers, joining an independent arbitrator and state legislators of both parties in recognizing the need for these facilities and the safety risks posed if they are closed.”

Local officials in the towns where the prisons are located were happy as well. Mayor Bill Wilkey of Dwight told the Pantagraph “I’m very enthused and happy that our hard work is paying off. The governor is not using his head. His decision to close these facilities doesn’t make sense.”

A spokesperson for Quinn said his office would appeal the decision in State Supreme Court. WBEZ reports Quinn argues the facilities cost $7 million a month to keep them open, and they’re not being used to their full capacity. Others have argued the prisons could be closed as well, if certain reforms to the system were made. CBS2 reports John Mackey, Director of the John Howard Association prison reform group told WBBM news that the state is holding too many minor parole offenders, many for curfew or drug charges. At present, there are nearly 50,000 prisoners in a system designed to hold 34,000.