State and union officials agreed Wednesday to postpone further transfer of inmates from prisons and other State facilities slated for closure. The decision was at least a temporary victory for the union representing the state’s correctional officers, who oppose to Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to close the facilities and consolidate inmates elsewhere.
At a hearing in Cairo Wednesday, a Circuit Court judge held off ruling on an AFSCME union restraining order request until Aug. 17 to give the two sides time to arbitrate next week.
Nevertheless, Kelly Kraft, communications director for Quinn, said the state remains committed to its closure plans.“We offered to properly hear AFSCME’s grievances on an expedited basis, and we now look forward to resolving this matter as quickly as possible through the arbitration process,” she said.
Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31, said the union was pleased with the agreement to halt inmate transfers. “…Gov. Quinn’s push to close these facilities has triggered rising violence among inmates and against employees,” he said. “The reprieve we won today is an important first step.”
You can read Jayette's full report at: http://watchdog.org/47441/il-inmate-transfers-halted-union-and-state-to-arbitrate-closures/
In the pic: The Women's Correctional Center at Dwight, on the Governor's closure list.
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