Warden named for Thomson prison

THOMSON, Ill. - A man with nearly 25 years of experience in the federal prison system has been named warden of the Thomson Correctional Center.

Federal officials announced the appointment of Donald Hudson at the northwestern Illinois lockup on Monday.

The Thomson prison was built by the state of Illinois and completed in 2001, but was never fully opened because of budget constraints. The state sold it to the federal government.

Hudson has worked for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons since 1990 and most recently was warden at FCI Schuylkill in Pennsylvania.

Hudson will oversee facility renovation, hire staff, make contact with the community and supervise operations.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Cheri Bustos, both Illinois Democrats, say the hiring was possible with $54 million included in the federal budget.