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State issues report on prison

The state’s Department of Corrections has issued a report, explaining why it wants to close the Pontiac Correctional Center and move inmates to a newer facility. The report states that over 100 of the prison’s employees could transfer to different jobs, which would be within 90 minutes from Pontiac. That would leave more than 300 workers who would have to commute for three hours, round trip, if they want to continue to work at a prison. The state says moving the inmates to a different prison would save taxpayers about 4 million dollars. Meanwhile, an economic impact survey notes that Livingston County and surrounding areas could lose 45 million dollars if the prison does close. The impact survey was conducted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. Livingston County Board Chairman Bill Flott says the community needs to continue to support the “Save Pontiac Prison” effort. Flott says a hearing on the closure is still planned for August at Pontiac Township High School.

Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 (Archive on Friday, July 25, 2008)
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