WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says the Obama administration continues to maintain the position it will never seek to transfer detainees in Guantanamo Bay to Thomson Correctional Center in Illinois.

Durbin says Attorney General Eric Holder confirmed under oath the Obama administration's position that it won't move detainees, many being held on terrorism charges, to Illinois.

Durbin is working with Illinois and U.S. officials to come up with funds for the federal purchase of Thomson for use as a maximum-security federal facility.

Thomson is a 1,600 cell facility about 150 miles west of Chicago. Durbin says its sale to the U.S. has bipartisan support from members of the Illinois and Iowa congressional delegations.

The Justice Department has expressed the belief the acquisition of Thomson will help alleviate serious federal prison overcrowding.