1/27/17
by News Department on 01/27/17SCI Frackville to remain open...
Many people across northeastern Pennsylvania are welcoming news that three state prisons in the area will remain open.
SCI Retreat, SCI Waymart, and SCI Frackville were on a hit list for possible closure, as well as two lock-ups in western Pennsylvania.
The state will close one prison, SCI Pittsburgh. Officials had planned to shut down two prisons as a way to help balance the budget and streamline the commonwealth's corrections system.
But many argued that the economic impact on these local communities would've been devastating.
Governor Tom Wolf says the right decision was made, and it's an interview you can only see right here on Eyewitness News.
"I want to make sure that when we make these decisions, whenever that is in the future, that we're doing it responsibly, and I think that's what we did in this case," said Governor Wolf.
Governor Wolf told Eyewitness News the closing of SCI Pittsburgh would have less on an impact on that region compared to northeastern Pennsylvania.
He also says the prison population is declining, which means criminal justice reform is working.
SCI Retreat, SCI Waymart, and SCI Frackville were on a hit list for possible closure, as well as two lock-ups in western Pennsylvania.
The state will close one prison, SCI Pittsburgh. Officials had planned to shut down two prisons as a way to help balance the budget and streamline the commonwealth's corrections system.
But many argued that the economic impact on these local communities would've been devastating.
Governor Tom Wolf says the right decision was made, and it's an interview you can only see right here on Eyewitness News.
"I want to make sure that when we make these decisions, whenever that is in the future, that we're doing it responsibly, and I think that's what we did in this case," said Governor Wolf.
Governor Wolf told Eyewitness News the closing of SCI Pittsburgh would have less on an impact on that region compared to northeastern Pennsylvania.
He also says the prison population is declining, which means criminal justice reform is working.
