Near empty Illinois prison may house GITMO inmates

Chicago, Nov.16 (ANI): The Obama administration may buy a near empty prison in rural north-western Illinois to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay along with federal inmates, a White House official said over the weekend.

The maximum-security Thomson Correctional Facility, about 150 miles west of Chicago, is one of several evaluated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and according to the CBS, has emerged as a leading option to house the detainees.

President Barack Obama wants alleged terrorism suspects from the controversial Guantanamo Bay in Cuba shifted to U.S. soil so they can be prosecuted for their suspected crimes.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has been hinting at a possible new use for Thomson, and he issued a statement saying he would hold a news conference to outline those plans.

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.

It is unclear how many GITMO detainees would be transferred to Illinois or when.

Thomson is not the only U.S. town hoping to lure GITMO detainees. Officials in Marion, Illinois, Hardin, Mont., and Florence, Colorado, also have said they would welcome such move to their respective locations as it would generate jobs. (ANI)