Illinois Prison to be the new Gitmo - Announcement expected today

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | December 15, 2009 at 04:16 am

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During his first day in office, President Obama signed an executive order to close the controversial prison on Guantanamo Bay.

Throughout this year, efforts have been made to relocate prisoners to third countries. This has not been easy as many allied countries are not keen on accepting prisoners from GITMO that are deemed terrorists by the U.S.

It has been accepted, for some time, that the end of year deadline for closure of Guantanamo would not be met. As this has been one of President Obama's priorities, efforts have been made to find a facility and location within the U.S. for relocation of GITMO prisoners.

Today the Administration is expected to announce that the acquisition of the eight year old Thompson Correctional Center, about 150 miles west of Chicago, Illinois.

The prison which is under utilized will be upgraded to a supermax standard. It is anticipated that the upgrade will take approximately six months.

Congressional approval to hold GITMO prisoners in the U.S. for other than trial purposes will be required.

CHICAGO -- Dozens of terrorism suspects being held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be moved to a little-used Illinois state prison that will be acquired and upgraded by the federal government, an Obama administration official said.

The critical step toward fulfilling President Obama's pledge to shut the Guantanamo detention center will be announced Tuesday, said the official, who reported that Obama has ordered the acquisition of the eight-year-old Thomson Correctional Center, about 150 miles northwest of Chicago.

Obama made the move despite the objections of Illinois Republicans, who fear the transfer of prisoners -- some for indefinite detention, some for trial -- could make the state a target for terrorists. Rep. Mark Kirk has called the move "an unnecessary risk."

A letter signed by Hillary Clinton, Robert Gates and Eric Holder, they inform Governor Pat Quinn of the Federal Governments intention to acquire Thompson Correctional Centre.

They assure the Gov that the Gitmo retainees will held separately from other prisoners and that President Obama has no intention of releasing any of the Gitmo prisoners on U.S. soil, as this is against the law.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said he welcomes the decision by the Federal Government. Under the law the Governor of Illinois is the sole authority for selling the prison.

The prison cost $145 in 2011 and Quinn expects to get fair market value for it.

In a letter to Governor Quinn, sent by the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretaries of State, Defense and Homeland Security, the federal government has signaled its intention to purchase and operate the prison. (Letter Attached)

They write: “We write to inform you that the President has directed, with our unanimous support, that the Federal Government proceed with the acquisition of the facility in Thomson. Not only will this help address the urgent overcrowding problem at our nation’s Federal prisons, but it will also help achieve our goal of closing the detention center at Guantanamo in a timely, secure, and lawful manner.”

The letter also addresses security concerns that have been raised about transferring Guantanamo detainees to the Thomson facility: “The security of the facility and the surrounding region is our paramount concern. The facility was built in 2001 to maximum security specifications, and after acquisition it will be enhanced to exceed perimeter security standards at the nation’s only “supermax” prison in Florence, Colorado, where there has never been an escape or external attack . . . The President has no intention of releasing any detainees in the United States. Current law effectively bars the release of the Guantanamo detainees on U.S. soil, and the Federal Government has broad authority under current law to detain individuals during removal proceedings and pending the execution of final removal orders.”

Source: illinois.gov

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 04:41 on December 15th, 2009

It seems governments are the same all over the world. Got to love it lol.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 05:19 on December 15th, 2009

Thanks for this, ACP. "could make the state a target for terrorists"?

Perhaps it already is: Muslims declare Jihad in Chicago Obama Lawmakers prefer targeting Americans. (Examiner July 2009)

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:28 on December 15th, 2009

Thanks for this Rhonda, I thought an extract of the link provided might be worth reproducing here. There was definitely an interesting title for that conference.

Today's conference is titled, "The Fall of Capitalism and the Rise of Islam," and it's being held at the Hilton Hotel in a suburb of Chicago. The shocking part of this story is that the majority of US lawmakers are silent about this gathering of avowed enemies of the US Constitution and American values, yet they are voicing their outrage over a CIA proposal to "terminate" terrorist leaders overseas.

The Obama Administration and most of the news media are remaining silent regarding this latest development and the US Department of Justice under Attorney General Eric Holder is busy investigating US intelligence officers and strategists.

nanute

at 05:42 on December 15th, 2009

Good story ACP. I think the President can very easily get around congressional approval. State the intention to try the detainees, and the approval point is moot.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:45 on December 15th, 2009

That's certainly a possibility nanute. I think it was a mute point anyways. Although it may be an issue with Repubs, I doubt that there would be any opposition by Dems either in the House or Senate.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:53 on December 15th, 2009

From Mark Knoller on twitter:

WH inviting Illinois Gov Pat Quinn and seniors US Sen. Dick Durbin to WH today to be briefed on decision - which they support.
Quinn & Durbin see the detainee shift as an economic boost for area around Thomson, IL: 3800 jobs and $1-billion spending.

snuffysmith

at 13:23 on December 15th, 2009

I guess the Maximum Security Federal Facility at Marion, wasn't good enough. So now we are spending another billion on this?

Wakey Wakey (not verified)

at 06:06 on December 15th, 2009

As is stands [correct me if I'm wrong], habeus corpus has been foregone only in America's offshore concentration camp at Guantanamo Bay? Once the USA Corp. Congressmen and Women have approved the imprisonnment of people on US soil for purposes other than trial ... it will signal the last death rattle of a free society in America. All that America fought to gain from by their war of independence from the British will be lost. "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." [Franklin]

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 06:23 on December 15th, 2009

Wakey Wakey, thank you for your comments. I am not in a position to answer the legal issues regarding GITMO. Here is something that may interest you though:

Supreme Court Refuses to hear Suit Accountability for GITMO

nanute

at 06:26 on December 15th, 2009

Court gives detainees habeas rights | SCOTUSblog

I think this will set the argument straight. The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of habeus rights for GITMO detainees.

Wakey Wakey (not verified)

at 09:27 on December 15th, 2009

... after eight years of detention and torture?! If the detainees in GITMO weren't radicallist anti west fanatics when they went in; they sure will be if they ever get out. This is a little bit of a tangent but, IMO ... you can pretty much categorize people into four pigeon holes. 1. The ignorant majority that believe the 'War on Terror' is real. 2. The ignorant inteligencia that have been given a comfortable, acceptable official account that calls for no personal sacrifice, doesn't force them to take stock of what is happening in the world an allows them to 'plod on regardless; with their heads in the clouds . 3. A member of the intelligencia that knows the truth but stands to lose too much if the truth gets out [Journalist, politician, employee of any of the major companies that are profiting for the WOT] 4. A "Conspiracy theorist" i.e. a person that questions what our governemts are telling us; holds them accountable for their actions ... a patriot."In times of change, the Patriot is a scarce man; brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot. " [Mark Twain]

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 06:29 on December 15th, 2009

Thank You for that nanute. It does set it straight.

YankeeJim

at 08:10 on December 15th, 2009

Don't let them out.

Barbara McPherson

at 09:19 on December 15th, 2009

I see this as a positive move as long as the politicians don't bury the people there. Prove that they are terrorists or let them go.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 09:25 on December 15th, 2009

From what I understand, these are people that have not been charged but people they don't want to release. Habeas rights will be an issue if they wish to retain them without charges, I believe. Is there someone that can enlighten me on that?

Rhonda J Mangus

at 11:05 on December 15th, 2009

ACP, Habeas Corpus defined and explained:)

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 11:44 on December 15th, 2009

Thanks very much Rhonda:) I was also wondering how that would apply to those GITMO prisoners, since the administration said it had no intention of releasing them. I suspect that would have to be decided by the courts.

nanute

at 12:19 on December 15th, 2009

I think you are right ACP. During WWII, in the Korematsu an Hirabayashi cases the SCOTUS sided with the executive orders of the President and permitted Japanese Americans to be held against their will with no charges against them. I believe that Canada also set up camps for Japanese individuals.

The current "war on terror" may pose a new dilemma for the court. While WWII did not have a date certain for conclusion, it was reasonable to expect that an end would materialize. This new "war" could last the incarcerated individuals life times. I'm with you on this one. Charge em' or release them and deport them to their country of origin.

This nightmare should never been permitted to start to begin with. It is yet another classic example of disregarding the rule of law during times of peril and national emergency. It is much easier politically to lock up people that may be a threat, which is fine. What is not acceptable is holding people indefinitely without charge or trial. It is un-American, and runs counter to every founding principle of our Nation. There are many Americans that think these individuals are guilty by association and deserve no consideration under our system of justice. It would be wise to remember the words of Thomas Paine one of the great voices of conscience from the country's inception: "An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misrepresent and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 12:26 on December 15th, 2009

Yes nanute we had internment camps for the Japanese during World War II as well. Our Prime Minister just recently offered an official apology in the House of Commons. It should be emphasized that the Japanese we are talking about were U.S. or Canadian citizens.

Isn't it interesting that with all the ethnic Germans in Canada and the U.S. no such thing ever happened with them. Ukrainians were also discriminated against.

nanute

at 12:32 on December 15th, 2009

The point that they were US or Canadian citizens is not lost. It will be interesting to see if there is a push to inter Muslim American or Muslim Canadian citizens. Citizens or not, every attempt by the previous or current administration to circumvent our legal system has met with a resounding NO by the judiciary. Time will tell if the tide is changing.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 12:46 on December 15th, 2009

The danger is that Congress could pass a new law to circumvent this.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 09:46 on December 15th, 2009

From Mark Knoller on Twitter:
Letter to Gov Quinn says Gitmo detainees at Thomson will be held separate from other federal inmates to be imprisoned there Letter to Gov Quinn is signed by SOS Clinton, DefSec Gates, AG Holder, DHS Secy Napolitano and DNI Blair. Letter says Obama "has no intention" of releasing any Gitmo detainees in the US. Current law effectively bars that, states letter.