The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections announced it is recommending the closure of the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Rockview and the Quehanna Boot Camp. DOC Secretary Dr. Laurel R. Harry said every affected staff member will be offered a job at their existing pay and classification at a nearby state prison.

The recommendation follows the DOC’s participation in the Commonwealth’s Resource Evaluation and Mission Alignment Project (REMAP), a data-driven initiative to ensure resources are aligned with the department's mission and taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently.

“I know these decisions have a direct impact on our staff and supporting them through this process is a top priority,” Harry said. “Every single affected staff member will be guaranteed an offer of a job at their existing pay and classification.”

The DOC steering committee’s report proposing the closures has been accepted by Harry. Per Act 133 of 2018, the acceptance triggers a three-month period for public comment before final decisions are made.

The steering committee’s proposal calls for placement within 67 miles for any staff member at SCI Rockview or the Boot Camp.

The DOC also announced plans to close two state-run Community Corrections Centers (CCCs): Wernersville CCC in Berks County and Progress CCC in Waynesburg, Greene County. These closures are not subject to Act 133 and are expected within approximately three months. The DOC also pledged to find suitable placement for staff at these centers.

If fully implemented, the closures of SCI Rockview, the Quehanna Boot Camp, and the two CCCs are expected to save the commonwealth $10 million in the upcoming fiscal year, with savings exceeding $100 million in future fiscal years.

SCI Rockview, built in 1915, is the second-oldest facility in the DOC system. It employs 658 staff members and houses approximately 2,148 inmates. The DOC said the facility needs $74 million in upgrades over the next five years and is not sufficiently wheelchair accessible.

The Quehanna Boot Camp, built in 1957 and acquired by the DOC in 1991, employs 234 staff members and houses approximately 348 inmates. The DOC said its boot camp programming can be relocated to other facilities. The facility currently requires $5.7 million in upgrades, which is expected to rise to $12.4 million in ten years. The boot camp is designed for lower-risk inmates and lacks traditional security measures, including a fence.