The Department Of Corrections announced earlier today that a Department Of Corrections steering committee report is proposing the closure of SCI Rockview in Centre County and the Qhannah Boot Camp in Clearfield County,
Which house and employ thousands of prisoners and staff members.
Officials say a main reason for the proposed closure is that both of the facilities are in need of costly security and accessibility upgrades.
For instance, a release from the department says facilities at SCI Rockview in Clearfield County, which houses over 2,100 inmates and employs 658 staff members, is in need of a $74 million upgrade to become wheelchair
accessible.
DOC officials have also announced the closure of two state run community corrections centers in B county and Greene county.
They say those facilities are expected to close within the next three months.
In total, doc officials say that the proposed closures would save the Commonwealth approximately $10 million within the next fiscal year, and over $100 million in savings in the future.
On the other hand, the State Corrections Officers Association released a statement today calling the decision misguided.
They say that violence in prisons is often related to overcrowding, which could potentially happen when inmates from the closing prisons are transferred to other facilities.
Also, while the DOC is assuring that all affected staff members will be guaranteed a job offer at their existing pay if the facilities were to close, local officials argue that the decision could negatively impact the communities that depend on these jobs.
“It doesn’t seem to me the way to rehabilitate rural pa is doing it on the backs of Clearfield county. These are all sizable employers for residents of Clearfield county.”
“This would potentially have very far reaching consequences for our community. We want to make sure every voice is heard, we want to we minimize any negative impacts, and we want to make sure we advocate and fight like hell for all of the benefits and resources that are available.”