State Continues Suspension of Prisoner Transfers

A southern Illinois judge has agreed to extend through the end of August a halt of inmate transfers from a supermax prison the governor looks to close.

Alexander County Judge Charles Cavaness' move came after attorneys for the state and a union representing workers at the Tamms Correctional Center in Alexander County agreed to the extension until an Aug. 31 hearing.

Gov. Pat Quinn has sought to close the state's only supermax prison at Tamms, a women's lockup at Dwight and various other corrections sites, including an adult transition center in Decatur.

Quinn says the Tamms prison is underused and too expensive.

While opposing the Tamms closure, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees asked the judge to order the state to stop inmate transfers until the union is certain it can be done safely.