7/28/16
by News Department on 07/28/16Northumberland County Prison update...
Northumberland County Commissioner Sam Schiccatano said the new county prison probably won’t open until spring 2018 as officials continue to develop plans to convert the former Northwestern Academy in Coal Township into a jail that can house approximately 300 inmates.
Schiccatano said the $6.5 million purchase agreement for the 168-acre prison site was completed June 30.
The county so far has spent over $11 million with no progress in building a new prison.
The county’s former prison at 39 N. Second St., Sunbury, which was built in 1876, was heavily damaged by fire Jan. 14, 2015. Since then, inmates have been housed in a separate division at SCI-Coal Township, SCI-Muncy and other counties.
Commissioners are hopeful a construction schedule can be developed in the next 30 days.
