Legislator shares concerns about Logan inmate transfers ahead of closure recommendation

[August 17, 2024]  By Catrina Petersen | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator says the Illinois Department of Corrections has begun to transfer inmates out of the Logan County Correctional facility, a move that aligns with the Pritzker administrations’ plans to close two Illinois prisons.

Recently, a federal judge ordered that all Stateville inmates must be moved to other prisons by Sept. 30.

Lawmakers called that “convenient,” considering the decision aligns with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plans to close Stateville and Logan County Correctional and then build two new facilities in the Crest Hill area for an estimated taxpayer cost of $900 million.

State Sen. Sally Turner, R-Beason, revealed inmate transfers are underway at the Logan prison in Lincoln.

"The state was supposed to come up with a proposal and there was supposed to be a [Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability] hearing to give their recommendation,” Turner said. “The state came out with really no proposal at all, so COGFA had to say, ‘well, you really don’t have a proposal at all so come to us when you have one.’ In the meantime, they are doing what they want without a recommendation from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.”

COGFA provides the Legislature with research and information regarding state and national economies, revenue projections and operations of Illinois state government. They also provide recommendations on proposed state facility closures.

Turner explained that correctional officers have informed her that they’re not transferring out the mentally incapacitated women as of right now.

"They are emptying Stateville because of the lawsuit and they knew that was going to happen, so they have started to empty it. But they are also starting to empty Logan County Correctional, and they are sending some of those women to Macon County,” said Turner.

A screengrab of Google Street View for Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, Illinois. Image Capture: Jul. 2019 ©Google 2024

State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, estimates 500 jobs leaving central Illinois due to the Logan prison closure.

"They’ve stopped the hiring process for anyone at Logan,” said Turner. “Clearly, they’re trying to get rid of Logan [ahead of receiving a recommendation from COGFA].”

A spokesperson from IDOC said that's not true.

"The Illinois Department of Corrections is not currently under a hiring freeze (for any facility) but is under a federal order to transfer individuals in custody out of Stateville Correctional Center by September 30," said a statement from the Illinois Department of Corrections. "The Department is discussing the impact of that order on our employees with our labor partners."

State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, who sits on COGFA, said it’ll be “interesting” to see how many Stateville inmates will just be released by the IDOC rather than relocated. Turner shared the same concern.

"They have the ability to let someone go early. They could say, ‘Oh you’ve served some good time, you look pretty good … we’re just going to let you go,’ without going through the Prisoner Review Board,” said Turner, who represents the Lincoln-area where the prison is located.

A few weeks ago, correctional officers played in a softball tournament where they stood in solidarity against the closure. The tournament is where Turner spoke with officers and heard their concerns about employment and inmate transfer issues at Logan.