Judge Grants Restraining Order Denying Prison Closures

A judge in Southern Illinois has granted a temporary restraining order that prevents Governor Pat Quinn from moving forward with the closures of state prisons.

Those facilities including the women’s prison in Dwight and Supermax prison at Tamms, and an adult transition center in Decatur.

The order was granted by Alexander County Judge Charles Cavaness Tuesday morning, in a hearing requested by the AFSCME prison worker’s union. 

In a press release, union spokesman Anders Lindall also says the state’s motion to dismiss the union’s case was denied.  

The governor had wanted to close the prisons and several juvenile facilities by last Friday, but the union sued and the judge ordered arbitration.  

AFSCME has cited concerns with prison safety and overcrowding.