suntimes

Inmates moved after storm damages Dixon prison

BY HUNTER CLAUSS Staff Reporter/hclauss@suntimes.com June 30, 2012 5:06PM

Updated: July 1, 2012 1:06AM



Severe thunderstorms damaged the roof of a prison in downstate Dixon Friday night and forced the transfer of 78 inmates to another facility.

The Dixon Correctional Center suffered a power outage and “significant damage,” according to a statement from the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The inmates were taken to a maximum-security prison in Pontiac, the statement said. Crews were still assessing the full extent of the damage Saturday.

No injuries were reported, the statement said. Emergency power generators were put in place as the Dixon prison was placed on lockdown.

“The safety and security of staff and inmates remains the top priority and the department is addressing this swiftly,” the statement said.




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