Proposed Prison Closings Public Comment

Less than a year ago, Wolf administration officials asserted to me there were no plans to close state prisons. Now, without any apparent public process or community consultation, there is suddenly a plan to shut down multiple facilities.  Five locations are currently under consideration, including SCI Waymart, SCI Retreat and SCI Frackville in northeastern Pennsylvania, and SCI Mercer and SCI Pittsburgh in the west.

This is a dramatic and unexpected shift in public safety policy.  Any decision to close state prisons has substantial consequences for public safety and community welfare.  It is far more involved than just weighing cost implications.

A joint public hearing is being held on Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg. This bipartisan committee review provides an effective means for us to collect information and receive community input needed for analyzing the administration’s plan.

To give area residents easier access to the process, I put together this comment page so individuals and groups can submit material and perspective for the record.

Please offer your insights below and stay tuned for further updates.

Oops! We could not locate your form.