Community wants answers about Pontiac Prison’s future

PONTIAC (WEEK) - Pontiac residents are asking questions about the future of the Pontiac Correctional Center. In a townhall meeting Tuesday night, dozens of people were there for information on what’s going on inside the prison.

Two Republican critics of the Democratic governor’s administration, Bloomington State Sen. Jason Barickman and State Rep. Tom Bennett of Gibson City, hosted a townhall meeting to share information they have with the public and listen to community concerns.

This comes after medium security inmates were transferred to other facilities three months ago due to mechanical issues in that part of the prison. Maximum security inmates remain at the facility.

A retired corrections officer said if the prison were to shut down, it would impact the entire state, not just Pontiac.

“You would have local unions across the rest of the state protesting because now they’re dealing with the inmates they never had to deal with,” said Jim Blacker Ret. Major Jim Blacker.

The Illinois Department of Corrections said there are no plans to close the prison and no staff members will lose their jobs as a result of those transfers.