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The facility was built in 1925, but conditions were described as
“decrepit, unsafe and inhumane” by the prison watchdog group
John Howard Association.
During a Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability
meeting Tuesday night in Joliet, Department of Corrections
Acting Director Latoya Hughes said Stateville is too far gone to
be repaired.
“The current living conditions at Stateville are not conducive
to rehabilitation,” said Hughes. “The infrastructure is
antiquated and inefficient, and delaying action only increases
risks to all involved.”
Hughes said current Stateville employees can work elsewhere
after the prison closes.
“Should staffing patterns hold, the department estimates that
approximately 1,000 Illinois Department of Corrections positions
are available within a 65-mile radius,” said Hughes.
State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, received an ovation from
the Stateville workers in the audience when he wondered if
Pritzker could change his mind and not build a new prison at
Stateville.
“What assurance can you give the legislature that there is even
an intention to rebuild Stateville,” said DeWitte. “I’m only
asking the question because the general population in all of the
DOC facilities is down.”
The plan also calls for the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln
to be closed and rebuilt. The total cost of both projects is
about $900 million.
A Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability
meeting regarding the plans at Logan will be held Thursday. A
final recommendation from the commission could come by the end
of the week.
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