Tamms Correctional Center: Overview

Tamms Correctional Center, located in Tamms, Illinois, was once one of the most notorious supermax prisons in the United States. Opened in 1998, it was designed to house the most dangerous and disruptive male inmates from other Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) facilities. This 500-bed supermax unit, known as CMAX, subjected inmates to extreme isolation and sensory deprivation, with most prisoners confined for 23 to 24 hours a day in solitary confinement. There was also a 200-bed minimum-security facility on the 236-acre campus. However, due to concerns over the humane treatment of inmates and the high cost of operation, the prison closed in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of controversy and human rights debates.

 

Tamms Correctional Center

Tamms Correctional Center Contact Information

(Note: Tamms is now closed, but you can still reach IDOC for historical information or inquiries about transferred inmates.)

  • Address: Tamms Correctional Center, Tamms, Illinois 62988 (closed in 2013)
  • Phone Number: Illinois Department of Corrections – General Information: (217) 558-2200
  • Email: contact through IDOC website: www.idoc.state.il.us

Tamms Correctional Center Visiting Information

While operational, visiting Tamms Correctional Center required strict adherence to rules. Visitors needed to book in advance, and visits were limited due to the high-security nature of the prison. Inmates in the CMAX facility were typically denied contact visits, communicating only through thick glass. The experience for family members was challenging, as they had to endure long travel times for brief, emotionally taxing visits.

Since its closure in 2013, all inmates were transferred to other facilities like Pontiac Correctional Center, where standard visitation protocols apply.

How to Book a Visit

To visit an inmate transferred from Tamms, visitors must now go through the booking process for their current facility. This includes:

  1. Registering with the IDOC inmate locator tool.
  2. Scheduling visits in advance.
  3. Providing identification and undergoing security checks.
  4. Adhering to prison dress codes and visit guidelines, which limit the number of visitors.

Getting to Tamms Correctional Center

Before its closure, Tamms Correctional Center was located about 360 miles southwest of Chicago, in rural Illinois. It was accessible by car, but public transport options were limited. The closest small town was Tamms, with a population of around 750. Parking was available on-site for visitors, but the facility’s remote location made it difficult for many families to visit regularly.

 

What Was Life Like Inside Tamms Correctional Center?

Life inside Tamms was characterized by extreme isolation and deprivation. Inmates were housed in small cells and had minimal human interaction, which led to severe mental health issues for many. Some prisoners were held in solitary confinement for more than a decade, a practice that led to protests from human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, and ultimately contributed to the prison’s closure. Inmates reported experiencing paranoia, hallucinations, and deteriorating mental health due to the lack of stimulation and social contact. The harsh conditions at Tamms prompted Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to shutter the facility in 2013, citing both fiscal and ethical reasons.

Famous Prisoners at Tamms Correctional Center

Although Tamms did not house notorious criminals from the free world, it became home to some of Illinois’ most dangerous inmates, transferred there for violent behavior within the prison system or gang leadership roles. One of the most well-known inmates was Larry Hoover, the leader of the Gangster Disciples, who, while imprisoned, continued to run a drug empire worth millions. His influence behind bars, along with others like him, was one of the reasons Tamms was created.

 

FAQs about Tamms Correctional Center

  • Is Tamms Correctional Center still open?
    No, Tamms Correctional Center was officially closed in 2013 due to concerns over inhumane conditions and the high cost of maintaining the facility.

  • What was the purpose of Tamms Correctional Center?
    Tamms was designed to house Illinois’ most dangerous and disruptive inmates in long-term solitary confinement, separating them from the general prison population.

  • Why was Tamms Correctional Center closed?
    The prison was closed due to a combination of high operational costs and widespread criticism of its use of extreme isolation, which many human rights groups condemned as torture.

  • What were the conditions like inside Tamms Correctional Center?
    Inmates at Tamms were confined to their cells for 23 to 24 hours a day, with little to no human interaction, leading to severe mental health deterioration in many prisoners.

  • What happened to the inmates after Tamms closed?
    Most of the inmates were transferred to other high-security prisons in Illinois, such as Pontiac Correctional Center.

  • Did Tamms Correctional Center house any death row inmates?
    No, Tamms was not a facility for death row inmates, but it did house prisoners with violent behaviors that made them unmanageable in other institutions.

  • Can I visit the old Tamms Correctional Center?
    No, the prison is closed, and it is not open for tours or visits.

  • What impact did the closure of Tamms Correctional Center have on Illinois prisons?
    The closure of Tamms led to debates on solitary confinement practices and forced the state to reevaluate how it manages its most dangerous inmates.

  • Was Tamms Correctional Center involved in any human rights lawsuits?
    Yes, Tamms was the subject of numerous lawsuits and investigations by human rights organizations for its use of long-term solitary confinement.

  • What is the current state of the Tamms Correctional Center facility?
    The facility has been abandoned since 2013, and reports indicate that it has since fallen into disrepair, with mold and other structural issues becoming prevalent.

Summary and Conclusion

Tamms Correctional Center, once a symbol of extreme punitive incarceration in Illinois, stands as a reminder of the debate around the ethics of solitary confinement. While it was built to house the “worst of the worst” in Illinois prisons, its inhumane conditions ultimately led to its closure. The legacy of Tamms continues to influence discussions on prison reform, solitary confinement, and human rights in the U.S. correctional system.

For further reading on the history of Tamms and its closure, visit the Illinois Department of Corrections or Amnesty International’s website.

Visit Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility