Joliet prison is closing; city wants new image

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Joliet Correctional Center is closing as part of the state's budget-balancing efforts, Gov. George Ryan announced. State Corrections officials said the prison's 1,200 inmates will be assigned to other maximum-security facilities in the state. For 143 years, this northern Illinois city was defined by the fortress-like prison, and supporters welcomed the opportunity to create a new image.