Thomson Correctional Center (Thomson, Illinois)

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Thomson Correctional Center is a maximum security prison located just outside of Thomson, Illinois. The building of the prison was controversial; one of the main reasons was concern that the prison would have a negative impact on the environment, especially being so close to the Mississippi River. Thomson Correctional Center has an area of about 146 acres (590,000 m2) and comprises 15 buildings. There are eight cellhouses with 1,600 total cells. There is an additional minimum security unit with 200 beds.

In 2001, the state completed construction of the $145 million maximum-security institution to house the most dangerous inmates. A state budget crisis has left the prison practically unused for eight years, though. The prison has 1,600 cells yet is holding only 144 inmates.

April 2010: The Federal Bureau of Prisons has said it plans to move forward with the purchase of Thomson Correctional Center to house Guantanamo Bay terror detainees.