CHESTER, IL - A shakedown of cells at a prison in southern Illinois has turned up weapons and other contraband.

A union official representing prison workers says a Department of Corrections tactical squad seized more than 10 weapons during searches Friday at the Menard Correctional Center.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that the prison was under full lockdown Friday afternoon.

Union representative Ty Petersen, of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council, says the incident points to one of the impacts of Gov. Pat Quinn's decision to close a supermax prison for budget reasons.

Higher-risk, violent prisoners from the Tamms Correctional Center are being moved to Menard and other facilities ahead of its Aug. 31 closure.