Tamms Correctional workers got a piece of good news this week when they learned the facility will stay open past August 31^st.  The Corrections department sent employees a letter Wednesday informing them the prison will stay open indefinitely, while they work out the inmate transfer plan.  There’s a moratorium on moving prisoners until next Friday.  A judge will give an update on the arbitration process this Monday in Alexander County.  Union president Lieutenant Toby Oliver tells KZIM KSIM there is some relief among employees but still a lot of uncertainty.  Oliver says the closure will lead to about 25 to 30 employees being laid off.  He says in the meantime, they will continue to work daily as of the prison were staying open.  There are still about 220 inmates housed at Tamms, while they await a plan to transfer them to Menard and Pontiac maximum security prisons.