Rockview state prison in Centre County slated for closure under Shapiro administration plan
Rockview state prison is slated for closure under a plan unveiled Monday by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, a proposal that would save the state tens of millions of dollars but also have untold effects on Centre County’s economy.
The announcement from the state’s Department of Corrections came six days after Shapiro’s administration announced its intent to close two state prisons. Quehanna Boot Camp in neighboring Clearfield County is also slated for closure.
If the proposal is implemented, Department of Corrections Secretary Laurel R. Harry said every affected staff member — 658 are employed there — will be guaranteed a job offer at their existing pay and classification at a nearby facility.
“I know these decisions have a direct impact on our staff and supporting them through this process is a top priority,” Harry said in a statement.
Benner Township Secretary and Treasurer Sharon Royer said the township was told of the decision about 9 a.m. Monday, about 90 minutes before it was made public.
She wondered aloud if some of the township’s funding could be affected since the prison’s population — which sat at about 2,150 as of Jan. 17 — is counted in its census results.
“Not good. Not cool,” Royer told the Centre Daily Times. “... It’s just very disappointing.”
Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association President John Eckenrode blasted the state’s proposal, saying in a statement that the union would “vigorously fight against this misguided decision.”
“This proposal ignores how it will devastate the families of our members, who will now have their lives turned upside down, and the local communities that depend on these facilities for jobs and economic development,” Eckenrode said. “In nearly every case, a state prison is the primary economic development engine of its area.”
Why Rockview was recommended for closure
Built in 1915, Rockview state prison is the second-oldest among the nearly two dozen in the DOC system. The prison’s building condition is rated “fair,” but the aging facility is expected to require $74 million in upgrades over the next five years.
Included in that tally are what the DOC described as “crucial” projects such as roofs, waterlines, showering facilities, a boiler system and exterior repairs. Some major systems are more than 50 years old.
A memo that outlined the potential closure also cast the prison as somewhat of a safety risk. Its multi-tiered housing and other original housing units limit sight lines and the opportunity for supervision when compared to modern prison designs.
The facility also struggles to accommodate inmates in wheelchairs and has limited cells designed for people with disabilities. It is “ill-equipped to manage the aging population trends observed during the last quarter century,” the memo read.
The proposal also comes against the backdrop of corrections officer vacancies and massive overtime payments across the state prison system, especially since the coronavirus pandemic. Over the last two fiscal years, the state paid more than $70.5 million in overtime to cover vacancies.
“The volume of overtime hours necessary to sustain safe staffing levels across 24 facilities continues to overtax staff and likely contributes to the elevated turnover and washout rates observed,” the report read. “Moreover, the costs associated with paying for those overtime hours have consistently exceeded budget allocations, diverting resources from intended purposes.”
Prison populations have also been shrinking. Only about 82% of beds in the entire prison system were filled as of the end of last year. If the Rockview and Quehanna closures are implemented, the DOC still expects nearly 4,200 beds for men to be empty.
Benner Township state prison’s presence looms large
Located on the same grounds, Benner Township state prison’s presence appeared to weigh heavily into the decision to close Rockview.
About one-fifth of Rockview’s staff will be eligible for retirement by the time the proposal is to be implemented. In addition to Benner Township state prison, there are four other facilities within a 67-mile driving radius.
Three of the five facilities have a vacancy rate greater than the DOC’s average and the report said the redeployment of Rockview’s staff has the potential to “positively impact overtime demands at each of these locations.” Reallocating could also help fill positions with experienced staff and save training costs with new hires.
Specialized units, including the state’s execution chamber currently located at Rockview, could also be supported by Benner Township state prison, the report read.
How much could it save?
Rockview’s expenditures in its most recent complete fiscal year totaled about $110 million, about three-fourths of which was allocated to personnel. Closure is expected to offset about $24 million in operational costs.
No savings are anticipated for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Potential savings the following fiscal year could reach about $120 million if all of the DOC’s proposals are implemented.
What comes next?
Public comment will be accepted for at least three months before a decision is finalized. State law requires the DOC to host at least one public hearing in Centre County before the decision is made and then complete a written report.
If the proposal is accepted, at least four months must pass before the prison may close. Put it all together and the soonest Rockview could close is Sept. 10.
It’s not clear what could happen with the facility if it closes. A Department of Corrections spokesperson told the CDT it “may be too early to determine.”
This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 11:17 AM.