Illinois Governor Jim Edgar was in Tamms today to dedicate a new prison. The Tamms Correctional Center is a 73 million dollar maximum security facility with 200 beds. The Governor referred to the prison as a fortress to house the State's most unmanageable inmates. Inmates at Tamms will not be able to make phone calls or smoke. A courtroom with video conferencing equipment is built into the facility so inmates will not have to be taken out of prison for court appearances. Tamms also houses an execution chamber. Governor Edgar also touted the prisons economic impact on Southern Illinois, saying the 445 people employed at Tamms will pump over 23 million dollars into the surrounding counties and cities. ---- end ---

WGN- A look inside the lethal injection execution room at the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois

A look inside the lethal injection execution room at the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois

Some of the most dangerous criminals in Illinois are now housed at Tamms Maximum Security Prison.

Some of the most dangerous criminals in Illinois are now housed at Tamms Maximum Security Prison.

The Supermaxium Security Prison in Tamms, Illinois, including a new execution chamber, is just weeks away from opening its doors to inmates. I