(BOP) - In 2012, the Bureau of Prisons purchased Thomson Correctional Center from the State of Illinois. After several years of retrofitting and preparing the facility, the Bureau announced this week the planned activation of what is now called the Administrative United States Penitentiary Thomson (AUSP Thomson).
The Bureau is moving the Special Management Unit (SMU) (a program for high security inmates) from the United States Penitentiary (USP) Lewisburg, to AUSP Thomson. In addition, Thomson will have a high security work cadre to support institution operations, a transitional unit for inmates who have completed the SMU program, and other specialized missions.
There are currently 248 staff on board at Thomson; they are expected to employ 600 staff.
The first high security inmates are expected to arrive at the end of calendar year 2018 and inmates will continue to be transferred from the SMU at Lewisburg.