Corrections officers maintain opposition to prison closures

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(The Center Square) - Plans to close Rockview State Correctional Institution and Quehanna Boot Camp continue to move forward, even as the state budget stands still.

The Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, or PSCOA, has issued a statement reasserting its opposition to the closures, saying “the timing of this decision makes no sense.”

“These closures were pitched as a way to save the commonwealth money, but taxpayers are still conservatively spending well north of $150 million on properties that have already been closed but haven’t been repurposed,” reads the statement.

The facilities in question are former state-run institutions that have been closed but still require funds to maintain. Specifically, the statement calls out Harrisburg State Hospital, Allentown State Hospital and SCI-Pittsburgh and SCI-Retreat.

“The department is more interested in playing budget games than focusing on the safety and quality of life of our brave corrections officers and staff.”

A May report from the Department of Corrections addressed several of the complaints made by the association and other opponents of the closure.

“The Department’s goal is to support all staff through the process of relocating to another work location if the closures occur,” states the report. “Those facilities where a targeted hiring freeze was implemented were determined to be the facilities that the majority of staff were likely to select should a closure occur. However, staff may request placement at facilities outside of the targeted institutions and closer to their home address, if a closure occurs.”

The statement from PSCOA specifically questions that promise.

“With few openings nearby at SCI-Benner Township for the hundreds of employees who will be affected at SCI-Rockview, many would have to spend about two hours a day traveling to and from work,” wrote PSCOA. “Not only does that take away from time with their family, but it also increases their cost for gas as much as $500 a month. That simply isn’t fair to these hard-working public servants who work one of the most dangerous jobs in the commonwealth.”

In the rural areas where the two prisons are located, corrections are at the center of the economy, employing 800 people total.