State corrections officials are backing away from earlier plans to close the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City once a new $1.2 billion facility opens in 2027, saying they now intend to keep the aging lockup operating for “some time” after the new prison site begins housing inmates.

That’s a change from the The Indiana Department of Correction’s earlier consolidation plan laid out in 2023, which called for shuttering both Indiana State Prison and Westville Correctional Facility to save on staffing and operating costs.

Instead, DOC confirmed to the Indiana Capital Chronicle this week that Westville will close as originally planned, but the state prison will remain open indefinitely.

The Westville facility is just 14 miles south of Michigan City, where the Indiana State Prison is locat

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