Funds available to operate repurposed Tamms prison
For months, I have been fighting to keep Tamms Correctional Center in Alexander County open. I believe Tamms is important for many reasons. It houses the worst-of-the-worst, violent men who have attacked guards or other inmates or who have otherwise disrupted the prison system and created dangerous situations. Separating these high-risk criminals from the rest of the prison system keeps guards and other inmates safe. Given that Illinois' prisons are already desperately overcrowded, this safety valve is especially important. It's also important to remember that Tamms was built in Alexander County for a reason. Alexander County has long had one of the highest unemployment rates in Illinois. Even with the prison there, it's still much higher than the state average. It will only get worse if Tamms closes.