Vandalia - What's the scoop?

[zgirl555]

My loved one is in Vandalia. Everything was operating as if it were going to close sometime in June. But with the budget standoff over Memorial Day week-end, we have no idea.

He was originally scheduled to get out in August, with good time, July 9th. We are trying to figure out what would happen if they close at the end of June. Would they transfer him somewhere else for his remaining few days? Let him go earlier?

Frustrating, because he hears tons of rumors inside, but nothing we can substantiate.

[IrishQueen]

Well, I believe the budget that the Gov. wanted was accepted and that means Vandalia is supposed to close along with another prison in that area. I hate to say this and I hope it isn't what happens, but the IDOC is greedy when it comes to time and they would usually rather transfer someone and then release him in July than let him go early. They are policy people and greedy for time. They get paid for everyday he is in there and so a few days to them means lost money.

[IrishQueen]

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plan to close Pontiac Correctional Center and move inmates and staff to the now-vacant Thomson Correctional Center is garnering a lot of attention in the capital, but little in Thomson. "We have had so many rumors, propositions, ideas, until something's done up here we don't move anymore, we don't get excited," said Luanne Bruckner, owner of the Thomson House Villager Lodge. There have been several proposals to open Thomson, but not one has panned out.

This was in today's local newspaper.

[joshsmom]

Irish queen, you are so right about the time! My son at Logan said the Deputy Director of DOC was there Friday and the inmates where asking about early release. It was stated to them that Vandalia and Pontiac are closing but the other facilities will not be overcrowded so there probably will not be early release unless any other prisons get closed.Pontiac inmates are going to Thompson according to those people!!!