Thomson Prison Ready To Reopen If Feds Find Funds

By aaroncynic in News on Sep 9, 2013 8:30PM

Thomson Correctional Center, the Quad Cities-area maximum security prison purchased by the federal government last year for $165 million, is ready to reopen if they can only find the cash. The Sun-Times reported last week Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Cheri Bustos held a meeting with residents who live near Thomson to give an update on the prison’s progress. While the facility might be ready, Durbin told the Quad City Times finding money to operate it will “be very challenging.”

While the Senate’s Appropriations Committee approved money for the prison to reopen the President has yet to sign a budget which would include funding. With fights in Washington over the debt ceiling and a potential government shutdown, the facility seems a bit lower on the priority list. Still, Mayor Vicki Trager said she remains optimistic. “We're no stranger to politics and discord and issues with the budget,” she told the Quad City Times.

Bill Dalius, assistant director for administration at the Federal Bureau of Prisons told the Sun-Times the prison is a “high priority” and the Bureau would move fast once money was made available. “Nothing else is under construction anywhere,” said Dalius. Should the feds green light funding, Dalius said hiring could begin in 2014 and inmates could arrive in 2015.