SPRINGFIELD – Prison closures planned by Gov. Pat Quinn could “make the prisons that remain more dangerous,” a southern Illinois judge declared Tuesday in prohibiting shutdowns until the administration answers state workers’ concerns.

The temporary restraining order from Associate Circuit Judge Charles Cavaness in Alexander County also bars layoffs and inmate transfers from prisons in Tamms and Dwight, three halfway houses and juvenile detention centers in Joliet and Murphysboro.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees sought intervention by Cavaness after an arbitrator ruled Friday that Quinn had violated the union contract by planning to shut most of the facilities by Aug. 31 without completing required bargaining.