“We want to hear from the public.”
Thats what the head of the State Prison System is saying in response to the announcement that they may close the Rockview State Prison and the Quehanna Boot Camp.
In recent years, the number of inmates has dropped in the State Prison System to near a 82 percent overall capacity. If Rockview and Quehanna were to close there would still be space available
“If a decision is made these two facilities would be closed, we’re looking at potentially less than 90 percent capacity at our male facilities, and less than an 80 perecnt capacity at our female facilities”
Pennsylvania Secretary of Corrections, Dr. Laurel Harry, Monday testifying at state legislative hearing.
The department estimates saving 100 million dollars in closing the facilities, and she added the Quehanna Boot Camp has an added factor
The Boot Camp has kinda evolved and unfortunately the majority of folks who meet criteria for Boot Camp, many meet criteria for state drug treatment. That’s the option they are actually utilizing more than Boot Camp.”
Rockview State Prison is surrounded by nearly 57 hundred acres of State Land. SCI Benner is next door. But what happens to the Rockview property if the prison is closed
“Rockview, that’s the part I’m talking about we’d have to maintain a certain acreage because of the reservoir that runs in between the mountain gap across the street from Rockview.
That also feeds Benner for water and our forestry program is located over there”
The Department Of Corrections officials stressing Rockview and Quehanna’s final futures are still to be decided.
The closings are a proposal, that came from a steering committee which made the recommendations based on a number of issues and for those who have something to say, now is the time to do it
“Local officials and other commonwealth agencies, we’ve reached out to them and invite that feedback. thats what this period is for, this three month period to evaluate any feedback that comes in from local officialswe will certainly look at that before we can make a final decision”
That final decision is expected later this year.