Critics Ask Governor to Investigate Human Rights Complaints at Tamms Prison

Illinois state lawmakers are joining legal experts, clergy and mental health officials in pressing Gov. Pat Quinn to address what they call a human rights crisis at the state's only supermax prison.

The group has sent a letter to the governor, urging him to intervene in the operation of the Tamms Correctional Center in Alexander County.

Critics say that's where some inmates have been held in solitary confinement for more than 10 years.

The letter asks Quinn to sign an executive order that stops the placement of mentally ill prisoners at Tamms, bans long-term solitary confinement unless an inmate is deemed a threat and sets up oversight.

The state's new corrections chief, Michael Randle, is reviewing Tamms' policies at Quinn's request.