U.S. Representative Mike Turner today called for the Obama Administration to present a detailed plan to Congress on the cost to modify the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Illinois.
U.S. Representative Mike Turner today called for the Obama Administration to present a detailed plan to Congress on the cost to modify the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Illinois.
“While our nation’s unemployment hovers at 10 percent and the conflict in Afghanistan continues to escalate, the administration will spend more than half a billion dollars transforming the Illinois facility into GITMO North, all while making our nation less safe,” Rep. Turner said, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.
During a briefing this morning, officials from the Departments of Defense and Justice estimated the cost to modify the Illinois prison into a detention facility exceeding “supermax standards” will total $450 million. This includes $150 million to acquire the prison and $300 million for facility modification. The annual operating costs for GITMO North were projected between $70 and $80 million.
“The administration needs to come before Congress and present a comprehensive operation plan for the Thomson facility and explain this $500 million cost before bringing these terror suspects on American soil,” Rep. Turner added.