‘Have mercy on us.’ Dozens ask Shapiro administration to keep Rockview open
Dozens of sharp-tongued people pleaded Tuesday with top Pennsylvania Department of Corrections administrators to back off the agency’s proposed closure of Rockview state prison.
Secretary Laurel R. Harry and two of her top deputies were grilled for more than an hour by Centre County residents and others who stepped to the microphone at the Bald Eagle Area Middle School and High School.
None of the nearly three dozen people who spoke at the public hearing expressed support for the proposal. They were joined by a bipartisan group of elected officials, the union that represents corrections officers and even the prison’s top administrator.
State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, told Harry’s team the recommendation to close the facility that employs about 660 people “hit like a bomb.” He said his office has received hundreds of messages from residents and people incarcerated at the prison.
The DOC has said all affected employees will be guaranteed a job offer at their existing pay and classification at a facility within 67 miles of Rockview, but has made no promises about shift assignments. Employees may also face longer commutes.
Takac said those transfers could cause serious challenges for families who have carefully coordinated their schedules around child care, schooling and more. He also expressed concern that uprooting inmates could lead to more violence.
“I urge you, please do not rush to judgment. Please listen carefully and take to heart everything you hear tonight,” Takac said. “And most importantly, please keep Rockview open.”
Quehanna Boot Camp in Clearfield County is also proposed for closure. About 230 people are employed there, and hundreds attended last week’s public hearing in Karthaus to oppose those closure plans.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration has pitched its proposal as a way to save the state tens of millions of dollars in the face of shrinking state prison populations, high vacancy and turnover rates among corrections officers and massive overtime payments.
Rockview is the second-oldest in the state prison system and the agency has said it would require $74 million in upgrades over the next five years if it were to remain open — the highest cost of any state prison.
The Pennsylvania Prison Society is generally supportive of the proposal, saying it could save money and keep Pennsylvanian’s safe if done properly. In operation more than a century, the nonprofit has said the prison is in serious disrepair.
Harry said her agency did not take the public hearing — which was required by state law — lightly. She defended the DOC’s projections that male facilities would operate at less than 90% capacity even if the closures are finalized.
Only about 82% of beds in the state prison system were filled as of December, which Harry said is “not fiscally responsible.”
“Even with the closures, we will be able to operate efficiently while reducing overhead and future maintenance costs,” Harry said. “All that being said, this is still a difficult decision and this is a decision that we do not take lightly.”
Chris Oppman, the deputy secretary for administration, said the cost to operate prisons has increased significantly in recent years. Since the 2018-19 fiscal year, the cost per state prison inmate has increased 36% to about $186 per day.
He also said the Department of Corrections receives only about $55 million per year to pay for long-term infrastructure projects at its two dozen facilities.
“This amount is insufficient to address large construction and repairs, which creates situations where the DOC must prioritize projects with the most urgent needs and push off other projects into deferred maintenance,” Oppman said.
Michael Wenerowicz, the executive deputy secretary for institutional operations, said Rockview’s specialized housing units could be integrated into other facilities, including nearby Benner state prison.
The explanations from the Department of Corrections didn’t sway Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association President John Eckenrode, who said longer commutes will take workers away from their families.
State Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, joined the chorus of people who have suggested some projects identified as crucial by the DOC have already been completed. The agency has previously stood by its report when asked by the Centre Daily Times.
Standing before her employer’s top administrator, Rockview state prison Superintendent Bobbi Salamon voiced appreciation and support for the prison’s staff. She then urged Shapiro’s administration to reconsider.
“I’m here to ask that every effort be made to allow our facility to remain open, giving us the opportunity to continue the meaningful work in the community that has been very supportive of us,” Salamon said before a standing ovation.
Centre County’s commissioners have estimated the economies of Centre, Clearfield and Clinton counties stand to lose about $118 million per year if the closures are finalized.
Commissioner Amber Concepcion said it would be a monumental loss shortly after fellow Commissioner Mark Higgins asked the DOC to “have mercy on us.” The closure would nearly be the largest loss of jobs this century in Centre County.
“We beg you to withdraw your proposal,” Higgins said. “This proposal will cause harm and will cost the taxpayer money, not save it.”
The earliest the DOC anticipates making its decision is the week of May 12, Harry said. That’d be the first Monday after the minimum three-month period required for public comment. The proposal was announced Feb. 10.
Feedback can also be submitted by sending an email to ra-crdocclose@pa.gov or by leaving a voicemail at 888-316-8950.
This story was originally published April 16, 2025 at 9:32 AM.