11.06.13

Durbin Discusses Thomson Prison at Senate Oversight Hearing

Federal Bureau of Prisons Director "looking forward to being able to fully activate the Thomson facility"

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – At a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee examining the Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the important job creation that Thomson prison will bring to both Illinois and Iowa. 

 

“The opening of Thomson prison is going to create good paying jobs for people living in Iowa and my home state of Illinois,” said Durbin.  “It is going to lessen the overcrowding in the prison system and provide critical beds that are necessary for the protection of the men and women who work so hard for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.”

 

In response to a question from U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Charles Samuels, said he is “looking forward to be able to fully activate the Thomson facility.”  Citing the challenges due to overcrowding at high-security Bureau of Prisons facilities that ultimately put staff, inmates and communities at risk, Samuels said the agency desperately needs the beds at Thomson to alleviate the problem.