31 Prisons in Pennsylvania: Exploring the State’s Facilities

Pennsylvania is home to over 50 correctional facilities, including prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers. These facilities house thousands of individuals who have been convicted of crimes, and their conditions and operations have been the subject of scrutiny and debate for years.

While the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) has made efforts to improve conditions and reduce recidivism rates, issues such as overcrowding, understaffing, and lack of access to healthcare and education remain prevalent.

In this article, we will explore the state of prisons in Pennsylvania, their challenges, and what reforms are being proposed to improve the justice system.

State Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Levels	Gender	Operator/ Manager
SCI Huntingdon	Huntingdon	2,237	Maximum	Male	Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
SCI Rockview	Bellefonte	2,441	Maximum/ Medium	Male	Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
SCI Muncy	Muncy	1,054	Medium/ Maximum	Female	Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
SCI Camp Hill	Camp Hill	3,888	Close	Male	Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
SCI Dallas	Dallas	2,155	Medium	Male	Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
SCI Mercer	Findley Township	1,489	Close	Male	Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
SCI Frackville	Ryan Twp., Schuylkill County	1,644	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Smithfield	Huntingdon, Huntingdon County	1360	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Waymart	Waymart, Wayne County	1,878	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Cambridge Springs	Cambridge Springs, Crawford County	1,793	Minimum	Female	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Somerset	Somerset, Somerset County	1,650	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Coal Township	Coal Township, Northumberland County	1,572	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Mahanoy	Pennsylvania	1,000	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Albion	Albion, Pennsylvania	2,073	Close	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Greene	Waynesburg, PA	1,824	Maximum	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Houtzdale	Pennsylvania	1,212	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Laurel Highlands	Somerset County, PA	1,080	Minimum	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Chester	Pennsylvania	1,265	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Pine Grove	Pennsylvania	988	Minimum	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Fayette	Pennsylvania	1,980	Minimum	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Forest	Marienville, PA	1,858	Minimum	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Benner Township	Pennsylvania	2,000	Medium	Male	PA Department of Corrections
SCI Phoenix	Graterford, PA	3,830	Minimum	Male/Female	PA Department of Corrections

SCI Huntingdon

SCI Huntingdon is Pennsylvania’s oldest State Correctional Institution, in operation since 1889. Originally established as a reformatory for delinquents too old for juvenile institutions and too young for penitentiaries, the institution was located along the Juniata River on a 39-acre tract of land purchased for $22,036.

The first General Superintendent, R. W. McClaughry, was appointed in 1888 to direct the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Inmates were trained in various trades, including painting, plumbing, carpentry, cabinet making, electrical work, masonry, and farming.

The institution was officially declared the Pennsylvania Institution for Defective Delinquents in 1945, and in 1960, it became a maximum security, adult male state correctional institution. The prison is almost entirely self-sufficient, with its own power plant and water supply from springs on the property.

SCI Rockview

The State Correctional Institution at Rockview in Pennsylvania was established in 1911 as a solution to the overcrowded and unhealthy conditions at Western Penitentiary. The prison was built on 4,300 acres of land in Centre County, with additional acreage obtained from adjacent state forestland.

The location of the prison is six miles south of Bellefonte and six miles northeast of State College. Originally intended to be a maximum-security prison, the expense was not to exceed $1,250,000, with $300,000 allocated for planning purposes.

The prison was designed to provide a healthier environment for inmates and was built with modern facilities and equipment. Today, the State Correctional Institution at Rockview houses both maximum and medium-security male inmates and provides a variety of programs and services to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

SCI Muncy

SCI Muncy is a medium/maximum security facility for adult female offenders located in the borough of Muncy, Lycoming County, approximately 18 miles east of Williamsport.

Originally established in 1913 as an Industrial Home for Women administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, it was incorporated into the Bureau of Corrections as the State Institution at Muncy in 1953.

The facility is situated on 793 acres of land, with approximately 30 acres inside the institution’s perimeter security fence. The fence encloses 15 permanent and two modular inmate housing units. As a correctional facility, SCI Muncy provides a range of programs and services to support rehabilitation and reentry for its population.

SCI Camp Hill

SCI Camp Hill, located in Pennsylvania, has a rich history as the Industrial School at White Hill for young offenders. Currently, it serves as the state’s diagnostic and classification center for men entering the state prison system.

The classification process can be lengthy, taking up to 4 months to complete, and is unique to each inmate. The facility spans 52 acres inside the perimeter and 711 acres outside of the perimeter, with 44 operational structures both inside and outside the perimeter.

The facility has 19 housing units and offers special features such as a diversionary treatment unit, mental health unit, and residential treatment unit. SCI Camp Hill plays an essential role in the state’s prison system, providing necessary services to ensure that inmates are placed in the appropriate facility for their needs.

SCI Dallas

The State Correctional Institution at Dallas, located in Pennsylvania, was designed by Clarence Littchfield in the 1960s as a model facility based on the educational/school model to aid in rehabilitation.

Initially, it was opened in January 1960 to house male individuals who were mentally retarded as defined within the Defective Delinquent Act of 1967. However, the act was challenged and repealed on July 20, 1968, by the Supreme Court.

From that point on, SCI Dallas became a facility for sentenced adult felons serving a prison term of two years or more. Despite its initial purpose, SCI Dallas has become an important institution for the state of Pennsylvania in the rehabilitation and punishment of adult felons.

SCI Mercer

The State Correctional Institution at Mercer, located in Findley Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, was established as a State Regional Correctional Facility on June 23, 1978. Initially designed as an open, campus-like setting, the facility received short-term male county offenders from 14 Northwestern Pennsylvania counties.

Over the years, various construction projects have been undertaken, leading to a current inmate population of 1,489. In 2008, the custody level of the institution changed to a level 2-3 facility.

SCI Mercer is unique in that it operates solely on electrical power and is equipped with nine diesel-powered emergency generators to maintain essential services in the event of a power failure.

The facility also operates its own wastewater treatment plant. Accredited by the American Correctional Association in May 1984, SCI Mercer has successfully achieved reaccreditation every three years since that time.

SCI Frackville

The State Correctional Institution at Frackville, located in Ryan Twp. of Schuylkill County, was officially dedicated on April 16, 1987. As one of twenty-six Correctional Facilities and one Motivational Boot Camp, SCI Frackville is an accredited facility by the American Corrections Association (ACA).

The facility spans over 35 acres inside the perimeter and 174 acres outside. There are a total of 15 operational structures within and outside the perimeter, including six housing units that consist of both cells and dormitory-style housing.

The facility also offers one Special Needs Unit and one Secure Special Needs Unit for inmates. While SCI Frackville is not open to visitors, it serves as an important part of Pennsylvania’s correctional system.

SCI Smithfield

SCI Smithfield is a medium-security prison located in Pennsylvania. Construction of the facility was completed in 1988, with an original design capacity of 492 inmates. Additional blocks were added in 1991, 1994, and 2010, increasing the capacity to 1360 inmates.

J Block houses inmates involved in the Behavior Management Unit program. While all housing units were originally constructed as single-cell units, additional beds were added over the years.

In January 2021, SCI Smithfield became a reception facility for all male parole violators and new receptions from the counties, as a mitigation effort to thwart the spread of COVID-19 within the PA Department of Corrections.

Inmates are kept at SCI Smithfield for a period of 25 to 28 days, during which time they are quarantined or isolated dependent upon their COVID-19 status, and tested for COVID-19 at routine intervals. Once cleared, they are transferred to a diagnostic center or other facility.

SCI Waymart

State Correctional Institution (SCI) Waymart in Pennsylvania opened its doors on October 26, 1989, a year ahead of schedule. It was established to provide housing for the inmates displaced by the riots that destroyed a significant portion of SCI Camp Hill.

The facility was previously Farview State Hospital, which had ample unused building space that could be utilized for inmate housing. Initially, Farview State Hospital and SCI Waymart operated as separate entities under the jurisdiction of two state agencies.

However, in October 1995, Farview State Hospital was placed under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and designated as a Forensic Treatment Center.

The FTC at SCI Waymart serves as the central point for the treatment of all psychiatric inmates within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, including inmates from surrounding county correctional facilities who require intensive psychiatric care and treatment.

Additionally, SCI Waymart opened a 50-bed Intermediate Care Unit in 1999, providing extended treatment to inmates who no longer need in-patient treatment at the FTC but require psychiatric care to deal with the stress of general population.

SCI Cambridge Springs

SCI Cambridge Springs is a minimum-security female facility located in Pennsylvania. The prison was opened in March 1992 and was formerly a college known as Polish National Alliance.

The existing buildings were constructed in the 1930s and 1940s, but new housing units and renovations have since been completed.

The prison has successfully achieved reaccreditation every 3 years since 2002 and is accredited by the American Correctional Association. The facility focuses on education, treatment, and preparation for re-entry into society.

SCI Somerset

The State Correctional Institution at Somerset is a prison located in Pennsylvania that was built through a partnership between state and county governments. The facility was constructed quickly to accommodate the growing number of inmates in the state’s correctional system.

It is one of five prototypical state prisons that were dedicated in 1993. The prison has been accredited by the American Correctional Association in 2016, ensuring that it meets the highest standards for safety and security.

As a correctional institution, SCI Somerset is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for inmates while also helping them to prepare for successful reentry into society.

SCI Coal Township

SCI Coal Township is a state correctional institution located in Pennsylvania. It was officially dedicated on April 26, 1993, as part of Governor Casey’s Operation Jump Start Program.

This program aimed to address the prison overcrowding problem, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. SCI Coal Township was one of five institutions constructed and financed through county or municipal authorities and one of five prototypical state prisons dedicated in 1993.

The Northumberland County Authority was responsible for overseeing the construction financing and developing the lease with the option to buy for the Department of Corrections. The institution was accredited by the American Correctional Association in 1996 and has successfully achieved reaccreditation every three years since that time.

SCI Mahanoy

SCI Mahanoy is a medium-security level male institution located in Pennsylvania that opened its doors in July 1993. The prison sits on a 222-acre tract of land that was purchased in 1991 from J.M.B. Limited and Eileen M. DiCasimirro for the purpose of building a 1,000-bed medium-security institution of prototypical design.

The property was purchased by the Schuylkill County Redevelopment Authority for $896,273. The construction of the institution took place from August 1991 through April 1993 at a cost of $83,500,000.

Through a unique lease/purchase agreement, the institution was owned and leased by Schuylkill County to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the exclusive use of the Department of Corrections. SCI Mahanoy opened as one of five prototypical state prisons dedicated in 1993.

SCI Albion

The State Correctional Institution at Albion is a facility located in Albion, Pennsylvania, that was built through a partnership between state and county governments. Constructed on a fast-track basis, the prison was designed to accommodate the rapid expansion of the prison system.

It is one of five prototypical state prisons that were dedicated in 1993. SCI Albion was accredited by the American Correctional Association in 1996 and has successfully achieved reaccreditation every three years since then.

The facility is designed to house adult male inmates and provides various programs and services to support their rehabilitation and reentry into society.

SCI Greene

The State Correctional Institution at Greene is a maximum-security prison located in Franklin Township, Waynesburg, PA. The prison was established in 1991 after negotiations with the Greene County Redevelopment Authority to purchase property for a 1,000-bed facility.

The 128-acre site, known as the Allison Tract, was leased in May 1991, and the institution was dedicated in November 1993. The first inmates arrived in January 1994, and the facility reached its inmate capacity in May 1995.

In March 1999, two new housing units were completed within the prison perimeter. One of these units (K) houses inmates with mental health needs, while the second (L) houses Level 5 inmates. SCI Greene remains a significant correctional institution in Pennsylvania, providing secure and safe custody for high-risk offenders.

SCI Houtzdale

SCI Houtzdale is a correctional institution located in Pennsylvania that was built as a solution to the overcrowding problem in state prisons. The groundbreaking of the facility was held on March 20, 1994, and construction was completed in December 1995.

The official dedication of the facility took place on January 5, 1996. In an effort to expand the facility’s capacity, two additional housing units were constructed from August 1997 to October 1998.

In August 2010, a 150-bed modular housing unit was constructed, which consists of two dormitory-style housing units and a central day room. This new housing unit was opened in August 2011. SCI Houtzdale is a significant correctional institution in Pennsylvania, providing a safe and secure environment for inmates.

SCI Laurel Highlands

SCI Laurel Highlands is a state correctional institution located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1996 as a security level 2 facility for adult male inmates and occupies the former Somerset State Hospital property.

The facility is situated along Route 31, approximately one mile from the Borough of Somerset. SCI Laurel Highlands is the Commonwealth’s provider to inmates with special needs, including long-term care, personal care, wheelchair, dialysis, and geriatric inmates, as well as general population inmates.

The property was transferred from the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of Corrections in July 1996.

SCI Chester

SCI Chester is a medium-security prison in Pennsylvania designed to provide a continuum of substance abuse treatment services to inmates. With a construction cost of nearly $74 million and an annual operating budget of $36 million, the facility was built to house 1,175 inmates with a documented substance abuse history.

SCI Chester is an innovative facility that uses a consortium approach to treatment, utilizing the experience and expertise of public and private agencies to provide effective care. The facility’s Therapeutic Community (TC) currently provides quality treatment to more than 1,000 offenders yearly utilizing the TC model.

SCI Chester is the 24th state correctional institution to open in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is unique in its architectural structure and programmatic design. The housing units’ design, pods, was considered an ambitious move for correctional facilities during the 1980s, and it is the first tobacco-free facility in the Commonwealth.

SCI Pine Grove

SCI Pine Grove, located in Pennsylvania, is a correctional facility established as part of an initiative to provide young adult offenders with their own institution. The groundbreaking ceremony for SCI Pine Grove took place on May 11, 1998.

The facility runs the Young Adult Offender Program (YAOP) as a therapeutic community, offering a nurturing environment for young offenders to mature.

The institution was officially dedicated on February 23, 2001, and the first inmates arrived on January 9, 2001. SCI Pine Grove serves as an essential correctional facility in Pennsylvania, providing a safe and secure environment for young adult offenders.

SCI Fayette

The State Correctional Institution at Fayette, located in Pennsylvania, opened its doors in August 2003. It was established as the Commonwealth’s 26th correctional facility, following a vote by the General Assembly in 1997 to authorize its construction.

Ground was broken on March 30, 2000, and the first inmates arrived three years later. Since then, SCI Fayette has maintained its reputation as a well-run correctional facility. In fact, it was accredited by the American Correctional Association in 2006 and has successfully achieved reaccreditation every three years since that time.

SCI Forest

SCI Forest, located in Marienville, Pennsylvania, was established in 2004 by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

The 64-acre facility comprises 26 buildings, including 11 housing units, three inmate dining halls, a hospital, an education and religious complex, a warehouse, a utility plant, and an administration building. The facility also boasts two large recreational yards and individual recreation areas for each housing unit.

The establishment of SCI Forest was the result of a seven-year effort by Forest County Commissioners to bring a state-run corrections facility to the area, which was in need of economic improvement following the closure of a major employer. Despite delays and a change in facility design, SCI Forest became a reality, with the first inmates arriving on October 28, 2004.

SCI Benner Township

SCI Benner Township is a medium-security prison located in Pennsylvania that houses adult male inmates. The facility was authorized under Act No. 41 2008 and construction began in late 2010.

The $200 million state-of-the-art facility was officially dedicated by Governor Tom Corbett on April 1, 2013. SCI Benner Township is equipped with modern amenities such as video visitation, electronic medical records, and centralized air conditioning.

The prison has the capacity to house 2,000 inmates and employs over 500 staff members. The prison offers vocational training programs in automotive technology, building maintenance, and culinary arts, among others, to help prepare inmates for life after incarceration.

SCI Phoenix

SCI Phoenix is a state-of-the-art correctional facility located on the property of SCI Graterford in Pennsylvania. With a capacity of 3,830 beds, it was built to replace the aging SCI Graterford, which was constructed in 1929.

The facility’s unique model is comprised of two prototypical correctional facilities, each featuring one shared Administration/Support Building. Program Services Buildings, CI shops, Commissary, Property, and Maintenance are located on both the East and West sides of SCI Phoenix.

The facility also includes a 192-bed Female Transition Unit (FTU) outside the perimeter of SCI Phoenix, focusing on reentry and family reunification.

A variety of treatment, educational, vocational, and recreational programs are available to the inmate population, as well as numerous specialty units such as a Secure Residential Treatment Unit, Residential Treatment Unit, Therapeutic Community, Transitional Housing Unit, Veteran’s Service Unit, Special Assessment Unit, Special Observation Unit, and Diversionary Treatment Unit.

Federal Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
United States Penitentiary, Allenwood	Union County, Pennsylvania	1,272	High	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
United States Penitentiary, Canaan	Wayne County, Pennsylvania	1,364	High	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg	Kelly Township, Pennsylvania	1,621	High	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Low	Union County, Pennsylvania	1,238	Low	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Medium	Union County, Pennsylvania	1,432	Medium	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Correctional Institution, Loretto	Cambria County, Pennsylvania	1,265	Medium	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Correctional Institution, McKean	Between Bradford and Kane, PA	1,284	Low	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons, DOJ
Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill	North-central Schuylkill County, PA	1,152	Medium	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons, DOJ

United States Penitentiary, Allenwood

The United States Penitentiary, Allenwood, located in Pennsylvania, is a high-security federal prison that is part of the larger Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex. Operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, this facility houses male inmates and is designed to hold individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes.

The facility is situated on US Route 15 in Gregg Township, Union County, near White Deer, and is approximately halfway between the cities of Williamsport and Lewisburg. The prison is located about 75 miles north of Harrisburg, the state capital.

As a high-security facility, USP Allenwood employs strict security measures to ensure the safety of staff, inmates, and the public.

United States Penitentiary, Canaan

The United States Penitentiary, Canaan, is a high-security federal prison for male inmates, located in Canaan Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The facility is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice.

USP Canaan houses male inmates who are considered to be high-security risks, while the satellite prison camp is for minimum-security male inmates. The prison is situated 20 miles east of Scranton and 134 miles north of Philadelphia, making it easily accessible for visitors.

The facility is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for the inmates and staff, with strict security protocols and procedures in place. Overall, USP Canaan plays a critical role in the United States’ criminal justice system, providing a secure environment for incarcerated individuals.

United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg

The United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg is a medium-security federal prison in Pennsylvania that exclusively houses male inmates. The facility is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice.

The prison is located in Kelly Township, near Lewisburg, and has an adjacent satellite prison camp that houses minimum-security male offenders. USP Lewisburg is situated in central Pennsylvania, approximately 170 miles west of Philadelphia and 200 miles north of Washington, DC.

As a federal penitentiary, USP Lewisburg is designed to hold prisoners who have been convicted of federal crimes, including drug offenses, white-collar crimes, and violent crimes.

Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Low

Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Low is a low-security federal prison that houses male inmates in Gregg Township, Union County, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex and is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Located 75 miles north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the prison is just west of US Route 15. It has a capacity of 1,238 inmates and offers a range of programs to help inmates prepare for their eventual release, including drug treatment, educational programs, and vocational training.

The facility also provides medical and mental health services to inmates as needed. While the prison aims to provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff, it is important to note that it is not open to the public and visitors are not allowed.

Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Medium

The Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Medium is a medium-security federal prison for male inmates in Gregg Township, Union County, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex and is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The facility is located approximately 75 miles north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the state capital. FCI Allenwood Medium is designed to house up to 1,432 inmates and has a staff of approximately 400 employees.

The prison offers various programs, including education, vocational training, and drug treatment, to help inmates prepare for their eventual release. The facility also has a satellite camp that houses minimum-security inmates.

Federal Correctional Institution, Loretto

The Federal Correctional Institution, Loretto is a low-security federal prison for male inmates located in Allegheny Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which is a division of the United States Department of Justice.

The prison has an adjacent satellite camp that houses minimum-security male offenders. FCI Loretto is situated between Altoona and Johnstown, approximately 70 miles east of Pittsburgh.

As a low-security prison, FCI Loretto is designed to house non-violent offenders who have committed relatively minor crimes. The prison provides inmates with a variety of educational and vocational programs, as well as substance abuse treatment and mental health services.

Federal Correctional Institution, McKean

The Federal Correctional Institution, McKean is a medium-security federal prison in Pennsylvania for male inmates. It is administered by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which is a part of the United States Department of Justice.

There is also a minimum-security male offender satellite prison camp located adjacent to the facility. FCI McKean is situated in northwest Pennsylvania between the towns of Bradford and Kane and is approximately 90 miles south of Buffalo, New York.

Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill

The Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill is a medium-security federal prison for male inmates located in north-central Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It is managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice.

The facility also houses a minimum-security satellite prison camp for male offenders. FCI Schuylkill is situated 46 miles north of the state capital, Harrisburg, and 175 miles north of Washington, D.C.

The prison provides various programs and services to help inmates prepare for their eventual release, including educational courses, vocational training, and drug treatment programs. The facility has a capacity of 1,152 inmates and employs approximately 400 staff members.

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