The Vandalia Correctional Center is slated to lose 127 jobs as a result of the Governor's call to cut 25-hundred state positions. Department of Corrections Spokesman Derek Schnapp says the Vandalia prison is one of six statewide minimum to medium security prisons to share in the elimination of 500 jobs on September 30th.

"Now we have to work on, as far as identifying those positions because it's bumping rights, seniority rights, all that stuff we have to work with the union on the contract.  Details of Phase Two, which includes an additional five-hundred employees, we are still working on that plan and it has not been finalized," Schnapp said.

Schnapp says while the Centralia and Big Muddy Prisons have been spared cuts for now, he can't say what will happen in the phase two reductions if they are carried out. So far no cuts have been announced at Murray Center in Centralia. State Senator John O. Jones says he can't support this way of cutting the state budget.

"We're already understaffed in our prisons.  They're working overtime now.  In Murray Developmental Center in Centralia, they're working a tremendous amount of overtime.  How in the world do you think you can save money by laying people off and creating more overtime for the employees that are left is beyond me," Jones said.

Jones says while Governor Quinn is trying, he fears Quinn is being hampered by others in State Government left behind by the administration of former Governor Rod Blagojevich. Quinn's plan would also require all state employees to take 12 furlough days. Vandalia Mayor Ricky Gottman says he's deeply concerned about the negative impact the Vandalia Correctional Center layoffs will have on families in the community. He wants the Governor and legislators to consider the real life impact of massive employee layoffs within state agencies.