The federal judge in Illinois has ordered the depopulation of the Stateville Correctional Center, a 100-year-old prison, due to decrepit conditions. The Illinois Department of Corrections plans to rebuild the facility on the same campus in Crest Hill to replace the deteriorating Logan prison for women in Lincoln. The judge’s decree mandates the closure of Stateville by September 30, citing falling concrete from deteriorating walls and ceilings as a safety hazard. Inmates will be transferred to other prisons around the state as the rebuilding process takes place.
Civil rights lawyers argued that Stateville is too hazardous to house inmates, noting issues like bird feathers and excrement on surfaces, as well as foul-smelling water from faucets. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration announced a plan in March to address these concerns, using $900 million in capital construction funds for the overhaul, which is expected to take up to five years. Employees at the affected prisons will be relocated to other facilities until the new prisons are operational, leading to concerns from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 union, which represents prison workers.
AFSCME has expressed opposition to the closure of the prisons during the rebuilding process, citing potential disruptions for employees and their families, as well as the impact on cohesion among staff members. The union is exploring options to prevent the disruption caused by the judge’s ruling on the closure of Stateville and its subsequent impact on the prison system. The decision to move forward with the closure and rebuild the facilities has sparked debate and raised concerns about the welfare of both staff and inmates who will be affected by the changes.
The Illinois Department of Corrections has been directed by the court to proceed with transferring inmates from Stateville to other facilities as part of the plan to close the aging prison. The judge’s order aligns with the department’s previously announced intentions to address the deteriorating conditions at the facility and make necessary repairs. The closure of Stateville and the subsequent relocation of inmates is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s prison system and the individuals involved, prompting further discussion and review of the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of all parties. Moving forward, the department will work to implement the judge’s directive while addressing the challenges posed by the closure and rebuilding of the affected prisons.
