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The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is looking to close two state prisons as a cost cutting move.
State prison officials said last week that they are considering closing two of five possible correctional facilities. They are: SCI Mercer in Mercer County, SCI Retreat in Luzerne County and SCI Frackville in Schuylkill County, SCI Waymart in Wayne County and SCI Pittsburgh in Allegheny County.
Prisoners from Bucks County are often sentenced to correctional institutions around the Keystone State.
The closure is being suggested, according to the Department of Corrections and state officials, due to a reduction in the inmate population and to save tax dollars. In addition, an additional 1,000 unused beds were opened at the Camp Hill facility.
“We have implemented a variety of cost savings initiatives over the past several years yet we are again in the position where the Department of Corrections must make significant reductions because of the dire budget forecast,” said Wetzel. “The most significant reduction we can make as an agency is a prison closure.”
In making the decision to close two facilities, the state will look at the size, age, condition, costs and functions of each prison. A Department of Corrections news release also states that the “economic impact on the affected communities” will be evaluated.
“Every affected employee will be offered a position elsewhere in the Department of Corrections,” said Wetzel. “We understand that moving to another facility may be difficult, but we will try to make the transition as seamless as possible.”
In 2013, two state correctional institutions were closed.
