DOC to Close SCIs Cresson and Greensburg
The state Department of Corrections plans to close prisons in Greensburg, Westmoreland County and Cresson, Cambria County due to the completion of the department’s new prison, SCI Benner near SCI Rockview.
PSCOA President Roy Pinto released this statement today to address this decision:
“We certainly understand that these are difficult economic times, and the PSCOA stands ready to work with the administration to achieve necessary cost savings measures. However, this decision affects public safety, working families and the economic future of two communities. It is only proper to vet this issue publicly.”
“This decision is based on a mammoth assumption that Pennsylvania’s prison population will steadily decline after decades of increases. Despite statements by the department of a declining prison population, the prison population has only experienced an annual decline three times in the last four decades. With similar expectations, the state previously closed a state prison in Pittsburgh only to re-open it. It remains open to this day. If these prisons are closed, the only thing certain is it will hurt thousands of families and devastate the local economies in those areas.”
“If left with no choice, the PSCOA will look at all available options. The commonwealth has a contractual obligation to give the PSCOA a reasonable notice of any planned major operational changes. The PSCOA was only informed of this decision this morning.”