Bivins speaks out on prison: State senator wants to slow the process
State Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, voiced his opinions on various aspects of the Thomson prison controversy in a recent interview. His take:
- On whether the $143 million facility should be sold to the federal Bureau of Prisons:
Bivins thinks leasing Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government, rather than selling it, should be an option.
“The reason Thomson was built was to relieve the overcrowding situation, [but] it has basically sat idle. What do we do when these other prisons are very old and some are recommended to be closed?
“It seems like we’re always in this big rush, with the stimulus, health care and now with the Gitmo detainees. I think we need to slow the boat.”
- On what the state should do with the money from selling or leasing Thomson:
“We have problems with our own prison system. You may want to take that money and redirect it toward our own prison system.”
- On whether Guantanamo Bay detainees should have the same rights as ordinary Americans:
“They’re not legal citizens of our country ... I don’t think they should be afforded rights. They’re terrorist, enemy combatants.”
- On holding military tribunals at the prison:
“I think they should do it right where they’re at. I think a majority of people aren’t in favor of bringing the detainees to U.S. soil.”
- On the situation in general:
“We need to take a long hard look at this and have a plan in place. Everybody gets starry-eyed when you put a bucket of cash on the table.”
