Pontiac Prison

Amid the loud political struggle over the potential relocation of the state women's prison at Lincoln, there is little disagreement that something needs to happen at the current Logan Correctional Center.

Significant deterioration was reported at all prisons, with only three of 27 prisons ranked in the “fully operational range,” and the remainder in the “impaired operation range.” Pontiac, Logan and Joliet’s Stateville were categorized as nearly inoperable.

Mold, leaky roofs, sewage backups, unsafe drinking water and raccoon infestations are at the top of the list. Next up: dire staffing shortages and an aging population.

The union that represents corrections officers at Pontiac prison is calling for the Illinois Department of Corrections to hire more officers after a Pontiac prison inmate stabbed a corrections officer two weeks ago.

A scathing report from the State Executive Inspector General shows a climate of hazing and sexual discrimination created a hostile work environment at the state prison in Pontiac, including stating there is reason for disciplinary action against 10 employees for discriminating against a guard who was perceived to be gay.

Union leaders are raising concerns about staffing levels and employee safety after a correctional sergeant was stabbed at Pontiac prison on Wednesday.

Bloomington state Sen. Jason Barickman says the recent indictment of another senator, Emil Jones III, shows current ethics laws do a poor job of holding lawmakers accountable to the people they serve.

Pontiac residents and community leaders are worried. The Illinois Department of Corrections moved 171 medium-security inmates from the Pontiac Correctional Center to other prisons early this year, and the fear is the rest of the prison built in the 1870s will shut down, too.

The Illinois Department of Corrections is denying claims of black mold at the prison in Pontiac, where some inmates have been moved.

The state agency that runs Illinois prisons said it wants to cut the inmate capacity at the Pontiac Correctional Center by more than half. That comes as the aging facility in Livingston County has infrastructure needs and as the overall state prisoner population is falling.