HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association (PSCOA) voiced strong opposition to the Shapiro administration’s proposed prison and community corrections center (CCC) closures during a rally at the state capitol on Tuesday. Union leaders warned that the plan could increase workplace violence, disrupt communities, and strain local economies that depend on these facilities. Their concerns were underscored by the presence of several members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, amplifying the gravity of the issue.
PSCOA President John Eckenrode expressed deep concern over the potential consequences of consolidating the prison population, pointing to past instances of overcrowding that led to dangerous conditions. “I’m worried about the safety of my members if these facilities are closed,” Eckenrode said. He detailed how in 2019, when 21 of the state’s 25 prisons operated at over 90% capacity—including 11 at more than 100% capacity—incidents of violence surged. By contrast, he noted that spreading out the inmate population in recent years has significantly reduced tensions, with only half of all prisons reaching 90% capacity in 2022 and just four surpassing 100%.
“The lessons learned from 2019 now are being forgotten,” Eckenrode continued. “Closing these facilities will create potential powder kegs of trouble that many of us thought were a relic of the past. Saving money at the expense of the safety of our members is too high a price to pay.”
Personal and Financial Struggles for Workers
According to Eckenrode, the Department of Corrections’ assurances that affected employees will be reassigned are not as straightforward as they appear. Hundreds of workers could face daily commutes of up to two hours roundtrip to new job sites, a logistical challenge that would also bring a financial burden. He estimated that travel expenses alone could cost some employees an additional $500 per month due to higher fuel usage.
“Our members, dedicated public servants who risk their lives on a daily basis, will now have to spend two hours in their cars each day away from their families,” Eckenrode explained. “Their financial reward? An extra $500 each month out of their own pockets to pay for gas because our department doesn’t help with any expenses.”
He emphasized the personal toll such decisions place on corrections officers. “Now our members are forced to make an awful decision: Should I stay where I’ve raised my children and deal with the extra cost of gas and long hours away from home, or should I uproot my family and move to another town?”
Impact on Communities and Costs to Taxpayers
Beyond the individual challenges faced by corrections officers, Eckenrode highlighted the broader economic and social impacts of prison closures on surrounding communities. Facilities often employ hundreds of residents, serving as crucial economic anchors for small towns. Replacing such institutions with equivalent job opportunities is an uphill battle for most rural economies.
“Simply put, these decisions are devastating for the communities the Shapiro administration are choosing to abandon,” said Eckenrode.
Questions have also been raised regarding the financial savings these closures are expected to achieve. Citing testimony from a Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing, PSCOA leaders argued that promises of taxpayer savings often fall flat. Three state-run facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities that were closed starting in 2018 have since incurred $47 million in maintenance costs. Meanwhile, the state has spent over $115 million maintaining or demolishing abandoned properties, including SCI-Pittsburgh and the Harrisburg State Hospital, despite their closures years ago.
Eckenrode did not mince words when addressing these financial oversights. “These closings were pitched as a way to save the commonwealth money,” he stated. “But taxpayers are still conservatively spending well north of $150 million on closed properties. This isn’t putting money above public safety. This is putting budget gimmickry above the safety and quality of life of our brave Corrections Officers and staff.”
Lessons From the Past
Eckenrode and the PSCOA emphasized that the lessons learned from previous overcrowding must serve as a guide. While reducing state expenditures remains a priority for any administration, such decisions, they argue, should not come at the expense of public safety, economic stability, or the well-being of Pennsylvania’s corrections staff.
Their message resonated with attendees at the rally, including lawmakers who pledged to focus attention on the potential ripple effects of the proposed closures across the state. The Shapiro administration has yet to issue a detailed response to the PSCOA’s concerns, but as discussions on the state’s budget and prison system continue, the union and local communities are bracing for the possibility of significant changes.
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