Illinois Department of Corrections Announces Work Camp and Impact Program Facility Transitions
The move will phase out two work camps and two impact program facilities, with projected savings of $35.9 million in capital costs and $6.5 million in annual operating expenses.
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) today announced its intent to phase out two work camps and two impact program facilities as part of its ongoing efforts to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and better support its mission to promote public safety and rehabilitation. These facilities are the Clayton and Greene County Work Camps and Dixon Springs and DuQuoin Impact Programs. Of the four facilities identified for closure, only one – Clayton Work Camp – currently houses individuals in custody.
Since 2020, the number of individuals referred for participation in impact programs has significantly declined. Illinois work camp population levels have also declined. As a result, the Department has experienced reduced need for work camp and impact program facilities alongside rising operational costs and mounting infrastructure challenges. The full deactivation of these four work camps and impact programs is projected to save approximately $35.9 million in capital costs, $6.5 million in annual operating expenses, and millions of additional savings in deferred maintenance projects.
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Clayton Work Camp needs significant structural repairs and is at risk of becoming inoperable. IDOC is announcing the work camp’s closure at this time to allow a transition plan to be developed and implemented rather than facing an unexpected, emergency transfer due to infrastructure failure. The closure of Clayton Work Camp will impact a total of 27 individuals in custody, who will be transferred to Western Illinois Correctional Center at a later date in accordance with the State Facilities Closure Act, 30 ILCS 608/5 1 et seq. No employee layoffs will take place, and the 41 staff members will be re-assigned to Western Illinois Correctional Center.
Western Illinois Correctional Center provides expanded programming opportunities that exceed what was available at Clayton Work Camp, offering individuals in custody access to a broader range of services. IDOC will also continue operating Clayton Work Camp’s Community Service Work Crews through Western Illinois Correctional Center, ensuring ongoing support for community projects. Individuals may also request a transfer to another minimum-security facility or to Pittsfield Work Camp to access other programming opportunities.
Dixon Springs and DuQuoin Impact Programs and Greene County Work Camp were temporarily closed in March 2023 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IDOC and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). DuQuoin Impact Program’s operations were moved to the Murphysboro Life Skills Re-Entry Center in 2023. The official closures of the non-operational impact programs and work camps will not result in any employee layoffs; the staff members assigned to these facilities will be re-assigned to their parent facilities (Vienna for Dixon Springs, Pinckneyville for DuQuoin, and Jacksonville for Greene County). The Department will work with other State agencies to determine future uses for the closed facilities and surrounding land, ensuring the transitions align with statewide priorities and community needs. IDOC remains committed to managing state resources responsibly to enhance public safety and best serve the people of Illinois.
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