Rockview state prison is now closed. What to know about the land, staff and more
Rockview state prison, Pennsylvania’s second-oldest, has officially ceased operations after 111 years in Centre County. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration pushed the closure through despite bipartisan local opposition, citing shrinking prison populations and tens of millions in potential savings.
The proposal to shutter the prison was revealed in February 2025, and just more than a year later, all the inmates and staff had been transferred. Along the way, numerous questions were raised about the vast prison land, use of buildings and impact on the community and employees.
Here’s a look back at highlights from previous CDT coverage:
• Rockview, built in 1915, would have needed $74 million in upgrades over five years to stay open, the state Department of Corrections said. Two housing blocks more than a century old had crumbling walls, leaking pipes, mold, insect infestations and pigeons flying inside the facility.
• About 86% of the 642 union-represented staff were transferred to prisons in Centre, Clearfield and Huntingdon counties. Benner state prison, Rockview’s next-door neighbor, received the most at 263 staff members.
• The prison sits on more than 5,700 acres — nearly twice the size of State College — and its future is unresolved. The Shapiro administration has not detailed plans for the property.
• Penn State said it is “interested in how the property will be used in the future” given its proximity to campus, but stopped short of confirming plans to acquire any land.
• State Rep. Scott Conklin introduced a proposal that would let counties receive up to 2% of former prison land for affordable housing. A separate bill from Conklin and state Rep. Dallas Kephart would mandate transparency in any land sale.
• Other closed Pennsylvania prisons offer mixed precedent. Cresson, Greensburg and Waynesburg sold for $600,000 to $990,000, but Pittsburgh’s former prison still sits empty and faces a demolition that could cost upward of $50 million.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The stories in the links were reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.