 News that the federal government may buy the nearly empty Thomson
Correctional Center and use the maximum-security state prison to
house Guantanamo Bay detainees has given people in Thomson hope that
things might be about to turn around in this woeful town of 450.
"This town is slowly but surely dying off, and I mean that literally
because the people that are retired are dying off and there's no
young people coming back in to take their place. There's nothing
here to draw them," said Richard Groharing, a 68-year-old retired
Florida corrections officer who was born in Thomson, a farming
community about 150 miles west of Chicago.
The prison was built in 2001 with the promise of thousands of
jobs. But because of state budget problems, it has been largely
vacant since its completion. It has 1,600 cells, but only about 200
minimum-security inmates are held there, and there are only 82 staff
members, according to the state.
The Obama administration wants to close the military prison at
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and transfer some terrorism suspects to the
U.S. for trial. On Monday, federal officials were at the Thomson
prison to inspect it and meet with state and local authorities.
While Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Sen. Dick Durbin, both
Democrats, welcomed the possibility of locking up Guantanamo
detainees at Thomson, several other Illinois lawmakers objected,
warning that it would make the Chicago area a terrorist target.
But some folks who live in the shadow of the prison don't buy
that.
If Chicago is a target, they say, it's because it is a big city,
not because detainees are held elsewhere in Illinois.
"They're always in jeopardy anyway for attacks," said Denny
Percy, a retiree hanging out with his buddies at a bait shop down
the road from the prison.
Bait shop owner Todd Baker said a federal takeover of the prison
would be good for the town and surrounding Carroll County, where
unemployment is 10.5 percent.
Baker said it could spur new housing, gas stations and other
businesses that would create jobs and customers for his shop, which
is stocked with fishing supplies and serves as a local hangout.
The Obama administration has also considered sending Guantanamo
detainees to other locations in the U.S., including the
maximum-security prison in Standish, Mich., where many residents
also have welcomed the idea in the hope that it would spur jobs.
Officials wouldn't say Monday when a selection will be made.
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If Thomson is chosen, Bureau of Prisons director Harley Lappin said
Monday the federal agency would hire 800 to 900 people including
about 250 to 300 people from other facilities to get the system up
and running quickly.
Quinn and others estimate a federal takeover would create as many
as 3,000 jobs in all, counting the new businesses created.
"I got a feeling that it will wind up being a boon for this
town," Groharing said.
However, no hiring preference will be given to locals, and new
hires must be under 37 and will be required to be or become federal
law enforcement officers. Lappin said the agency would want Illinois
Department of Corrections workers on staff, but they would have to
compete for those jobs.
"We need this to help our community. Our communities around us
and us are hurting big," said Jerry Hebeler, Thomson village
president, after a private meeting with federal officials and
community members.
But some in Thomson worry that locals who already work at the
prison could lose their jobs.
Durbin accused lawmakers critical of the proposal of
fearmongering and political posturing. He said that fewer than 100
of the inmates would be from Guantanamo Bay and that the government
would build an extra perimeter fence around the prison.
"This would be the most secure prison in the United States of
America," the senator said.
And if any of the detainees or other inmates at the prison were
to escape, some Thomson residents know how to protect themselves.
"I've got plenty of weapons and ammunition at my house," said
Dave Lawton, a 62-year-old retiree.
[Associated Press;
By DEANNA BELLANDI]
Associated Press writers Sophia Tareen in Chicago and John Flesher
in Traverse City, Mich., contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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