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Union Opposes Thomson Prison for Gitmo Detainees
CHICAGO (AP) -- The union representing many Illinois prison workers says it opposes a proposal to sell an underused state prison in western Illinois to the Obama administration to house Guantanamo Bay detainees.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says the maximum-security Thomson Correctional Facility is needed to help ease overcrowding in other Illinois prisons. Union officials say overcrowding is worst among maximum-security prisoners.

They say Gov. Pat Quinn must not be aware that his own state's prison system is overcrowded and that giving up Thomson would make it worse.

Thomson was built by the state in 2001 with 1,600 cells. But budget problems prevented it from fully opening, and it now houses about 200 minimum-security inmates.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
11 14 09 by Newsroom
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