Illinois Prison Could House Gitmo Detainees

Washington, DC (AHN) – Suspected terrorists being held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba may be heading to a prison in rural Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday.

An Obama administration official told the newspaper that federal officials are speaking with Illinois officials about touring the maximum security Thomson Correctional Center, which is about 150 miles west of Chicago. The tour could come as early as Monday.

The Obama official said the prison is “the leading option” to house the detainees once Gitmo closes. The official said there could be other locations in the United States where other detainees are transferred.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said in a statement Saturday that the Obama administration officials will tour the almost-empty facility to see if it could be of use to the federal Bureau of Prisons.

The Quinn statement did not mention the possibility that the 1,600-cell Thompson could be used to house Guantanamo Bay prisoners.

President Barack Obama has said since the beginning of his presidency that closing the Guantanamo prison camp was an administration priority. There are about 215 detainees being held there.