Dwight Prison Closure Inevitable

The closure of the Dwight women’s prison could happen at any time.

A judge Wednesday lifted an injunction that was preventing Governor Pat Quinn from closing the prison.  The governor says the closure will be “completed in the coming weeks”.

Quinn wanted to close Dwight and other corrections facilities at the end of August but AFSCME got an injunction stopping him.  The governor says the delay in keeping Dwight and other buildings open after he wanted to close them has cost taxpayers seven million dollars.

According to the governor, workers at the Dwight prison have been offered jobs at other prisons.  Over 300 people work at the women’s prison including dozens who live in La Salle County.