Closing of Stateville

Brena · #1 01-13-2004, 11:21 PM

Did anyone else got that rumors about Stateville being shut down until 1st of May? Word goes all the guys, except R&C unit, will be transfered to Thomson, the new Max-security which remained unopened after building completion for almost 3 years now.

I would not complain about the location (a 5 hour round trip from Chicago I was told) but my hubby seems to be really concerned about the visiting conditions: visiting is said to be non-contact for everyone including general population.

Stateville visiting conditions are bad compared to Stateville but if true, Thomson would top them all off.

Rostonhall · #2 01-14-2004, 03:43 AM

I doubt whether this is anything more than just a rumour. The logistics in moving ALL inmates out of Stateville just for a few months would prohibit doing it. Thompson doesn't seem to be an option either, as it has been purpose built to house the 'most aggressive and violent inmates'. I assume. even more violent and aggressive than those already in the super-max prison, Tamms!! It has twice as many cells as Tamms but I really can't see it being capable of taking all the inmates of Stateville.

If I'm wrong then I'm sure someone here will tell me.

Rose

jimsenglishgeek · #3 01-14-2004, 07:35 AM

Though absolutely nothing surprises me at IDOC, it seems to me that it would take nearly from now until May 1 just to get all the guys transferred. Plus, the expense of starting up a facility -- in the winter -- for short term use doesn't seem logical. But what does with IDOC?

CLEE · #4 01-14-2004, 09:22 AM

This Was The Rumor We Heard While I Was Visiting. Lee Asked My Cousin About It And So Did I. She Claims Not To Know Anything About It. I Heard There Are Supposed To Be 3 Whole Cell Houses Being Moved, But They Weren't Completely Closing Stateville. Again, Rumors Change As They Go Through The Line. So Who Knows. You Would Think Something Major Like That Coming Close So Soon, If True, Would Be On The News. But Then Again Maybe Not. She Did Say There Are Supposed To Be Alot Of Transfers Going Through But That's All She Would Say. And She Has Said Nothing About Losing Her Job Or Her Being Transfered Herself. So Who Knows. We'll Be The Last Ones To Know I Am Sure!

CLEE · #5 01-14-2004, 05:27 PM

I Did Get Confirmation Of This Closing Today. I Can't Stay On Line, But I Will Share The Info I Got With You Tomorrow.

Take Care

**Patty** · #6 01-14-2004, 09:23 PM

grrrrrrrrrrrrrr somebody tell me something...

Brena · #7 01-14-2004, 11:26 PM

Clee, that's exactly what I feared. Heard about the rumors since weeks but they got more sincere and realistic week by week. Hope you have more detailed information to share.

Sigh, guess now I have to decide whether to spend 1000 dollars on yet another travel very soon and have our last hug and kiss for maybe years or to wait and see him next time probably behind plexiglass. Feels like playing russian roulette - just don't know what to go for.

I'm frustrated. :-(

CLEE · #8 01-15-2004, 09:12 AM

I Would Get The Visit In As Soon As You Can. I Am Just Lost! Everything Coming Out Now And Now This. Plus He's In Seg Again. He Best Get Out Soon. I Need To Get In As Many Visits As I Can Before He Gets Transfered. I Can't Handle The Thought Of Never Being Able To Hug Him Or Even Touch His Hand. Oh My God! I Can't Quit Crying, I Am Such An Emotional Train Wreck This Past Week!

Ok Here's What I Got. My Girl Called Last Night. Said First They Were Told The Beginning Of May, Then The End Of May. Now They Aren't Giving A Date For "security" Purposes. But She May Have Just Told Me That So She Doesn't Get In Trouble. But Everything I've Heard Seems To Be Focused Around May. So That's What I Am Going With. They Are Keeping Stateville Open For "reception". Welcome To Prison. Geez! Then They'll Get Transfered From There. So It Looks Like Every Person Entering The System Gets A Trip To The Ville Now. I Just Can't Handle This. I Know I Am Spoiled Because He Is So Close Now And I Can Visit Often. But If He Moves, I Don't Know If I'll Ever Get To Visit.

Brena · #9 01-15-2004, 01:53 PM

Clee, girl, hang in there. I'm quite sure that some of the rumors are created on purpose and meant to make people feel insecure - just like we do feel right now. Perhaps, if it comes to transfers to Thomson, it will turn out not to be that bad like the word that goes today.

I'm trying to think about the positive aspect of a transfer to a "brand new" facility. If you look at the few rooms at Stateville you might have seen - all that filth and dirt... Can you picture what the cellhouses must even look like? Do you remember the smell when you first entered the long hallway in the main building and the impression you got, when you first breathed the malodor of the visiting room with its crumbling walls and the temperatures that are never moderate but either too hot or too cold? I do. Compared to that we had visits in a luxury environment while my husband was still on death row. Let alone the visiting conditions like holding hands for hours, the ability to steal a kiss now and then. Even if non-contacts might turn out to be true - I'm trying to sell myself the idea of my hubby living in a non-rotting and moderately clean environment 24/7, all year long. That takes away a bit of the fear and the frustration.

And if all these rumors turn out to be true - well, I am very confident in our relation and I know we'll make it. Somehow. I saw him last time in the beginning of November after seven long months without a single visit. Just don't allow IDOC to drag you down and keep your head up.

I for my part, will try to get there as soon as I can, which might not be earlier than March. Anyway, no matter where they put him - they will not get the chance to ruin our relation.

CLEE · #10 01-15-2004, 02:38 PM

Thank You Brena. I Did Point Out In The Letter I Worte Him Today That If He Does Go To Thomson It's At Least New, Clean And Not A Rat Hole Yet. That Would Help With His Cleanliness Issues. I Guess, Like I Said, I Am Just Spoiled. A Couple Visits A Month Is What's It's Been. And Going From That To One Or Two Maybe A Year Is Going To Kick My Butt. And Wherever It Is He Ends Up I Really Hope He Has Access To A Phone Like He Does Now Or Else My Hand Will Be Numb In A Month.

I Looked To See How Far Thomson Is For Me And It's Still Only Around 150 Miles. Which Isn't Bad And Still Is Pretty Close Compared To What Most People Travel. But It Surley Isn't A 20 Minutes Ride Any Longer. I Still Can Probably Get There Once Every Few Months. But If They Send Him Somewhere Else I Won't Be Able To. The Prisons That He's Able To Go To Are All Pretty Far. It's The Waiting Game I Think That Gets Me Also. I Hate Suprises, I Hate Change, And I Really Hate Waiting. Everything Else In Life I Don't Mind And Deal With Just Fine (ok Maybe Not). I Am Pretty Confident That It's Not A Rumor And This Is What's Going To Happen Because Of Where I Got My Information From. It Would Be Nice If It Turned Out To Be One, But I Don't Think So. Also Lee Said In The Letter I Got Today That He Wants To Get Transfered Out Of There Anyway. So I Guess It's All For The Better. Hopefully To A Cleaner/healthier Environment.

Eboniizs · #11 01-15-2004, 02:55 PM

I live here in Joliet and I haven't read anything about any closing. I know when Old Joliet was closing it made the headlines constantly in the neighborhood paper. If I see anything I'll be sure to post it.

CLEE · #12 01-15-2004, 03:10 PM

Monica,

How's The House Coming Along? I Hope All Is Well And I Hope Nothing Interferes With His Release Date. Take Care!

Eboniizs · #13 01-15-2004, 03:46 PM

I just finished doing the grout in the master bath.. OJ keeps telling me to leave it for him to do.. But I already have a honey do list waiting for him LOL Unless he screws up major and losses his good time, nothing can interfere with his release date. Three weeks from right now, he’ll be home!!

**Patty** · #14 01-15-2004, 06:30 PM

I'm glad things are going along as planned Monica!!! =)

As for the closing of Stateville hmmm not really sure how to feel about it.
Keep us posted
Thanks,
patty

CET · #15 01-15-2004, 10:57 PM

My guy told me about a month ago he heard that about 400 guys would get transferred because they needed the space for guys coming from the cook county jail, close to chicago. I want to say that you can't increase a man's security level just because he's being moved. They can't make them have non contact visits becaues of the facility. The guys would riot I think!