A judge in southern Illinois has issued a temporary restraining order to keep Gov. Pat Quinn to stop closing seven prison facilities, including Illinois Youth Center in Joliet, because it could make the remaining prisons "more dangerous."

Associate Circuit Judge Charles Cavaness, based in Alexander County, also barred any layoffs or prisoner transfers, according to a story by The Associated Press.

The action was taken in response to a motion filed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which sought court intervention after an arbitrator ruled Quinn had violated the union contract by planning to shut most of the facilities by Aug. 31 without completing required bargaining, the story said.

Quinn responded to the arbitrator's ruling by filing an appeal to overturn it in Cook County Circuit Court.

The youth center in Joliet employs more than 225 people.