SCI Laurel Highlands is a state prison located in Somerset, Pennsylvania. It was established in July 1996 and is designed to house male inmates. The facility has separate housing units for geriatric and terminally ill male inmates.
SCI Laurel Highlands is committed to strengthening the connection between inmates and their families. The facility hosts “Friends and Family Days” to allow inmates to spend time with their loved ones. Additionally, the prison publishes a newsletter that includes submissions from family members and offers an active parenting workshop.
The facility is also known for its C.O.V.E.R. program, which stands for “Care of Victims Empathy and Recovery.” The program was created to support staff in a multitude of ways, including a ten-session peer support group. SCI Laurel Highlands is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff.
| Security | Minimum |
| Capacity | 1,571 |
| Physical Address | 5706 Glades Pike Somerset, PA 15501 |
| Mailing Address | Smart Communications/PADOC Inmate Name/Inmate Number Institution PO Box 33028 St Petersburg, FL 33733 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (814) 445-6501 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
SCI Laurel Highlands is a state correctional institution located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The facility opened in July 1996 as a security level 2 facility for adult male inmates. It is one of the several state prisons operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Location
SCI Laurel Highlands is situated in Somerset Township, approximately one mile from the Borough of Somerset. The facility is located along Route 31, making it easily accessible by car. The prison is surrounded by a rural area and is situated on a 200-acre plot of land.
History
The construction of SCI Laurel Highlands began in 1994 and was completed in 1996. The facility was built to address the increasing demand for prison space in Pennsylvania. The prison was designed to house adult male inmates and has separate housing units for geriatric and terminally ill male inmates.
Facilities and Security
SCI Laurel Highlands is a minimum-security prison with a capacity of 1,571 inmates. The facility has a range of programs and services designed to support the rehabilitation and reentry of inmates into society. These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
The prison has a range of security features, including a secure perimeter fence, electronic surveillance systems, and a staff of trained correctional officers. The facility also has a C.O.V.E.R. program, which is a 10-session peer support group designed to enhance the ability of staff to eliminate suicide ideation or intent and reduce the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
In summary, SCI Laurel Highlands is a state correctional institution located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The facility opened in 1996 as a minimum-security prison for adult male inmates. It has a range of programs and services designed to support inmate rehabilitation and reentry into society. The prison has a range of security features and is staffed by trained correctional officers.
Inmate Services
SCI Laurel Highlands offers a range of services to inmates, including education and vocational programs, medical and mental health services, and re-entry programs.
Education and Vocational Programs
Inmates at SCI Laurel Highlands have access to a variety of educational and vocational programs. The facility offers GED programs to help inmates earn their high school equivalency diplomas. Additionally, vocational programs are available to help inmates develop skills that can be used after their release. These programs include carpentry, horticulture, and welding.
Medical and Mental Health Services
SCI Laurel Highlands provides medical and mental health services to its inmates. The facility has a medical unit that is staffed by healthcare professionals who provide routine medical care, as well as specialized care for inmates with chronic conditions. Personal care services, such as assistance with activities of daily living, are also available to inmates who require them. The facility also has a mental health unit that provides counseling and therapy to inmates who need it.
Re-entry Programs
SCI Laurel Highlands offers re-entry programs to help inmates successfully transition back into society after their release. These programs include job training, job placement assistance, and substance abuse treatment. Inmates also have access to ACT 143 Victim Awareness programs, which help them understand the impact of their crimes on their victims and the community.
Overall, SCI Laurel Highlands provides a range of services to its inmates to help them prepare for a successful re-entry into society.
Housing Units
SCI Laurel Highlands has several housing units that cater to different types of inmates. These units are designed to provide a safe and secure environment for all inmates while also ensuring that their individual needs are met.
General Population
The general population housing units at SCI Laurel Highlands consist of both cells and dormitory-style housing. Inmates in these units have access to a range of programs and services, including educational programs, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment.
Geriatric
SCI Laurel Highlands has separate housing units for geriatric male inmates. These units are designed to meet the unique needs of older inmates, including medical care, physical therapy, and other services that are tailored to their specific needs.
Sex Offender
SCI Laurel Highlands has a housing unit for low-intensity special needs sex offenders. The unit is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for these inmates while also providing them with access to programs and services that can help them address their specific needs.
Inmates with Special Needs
SCI Laurel Highlands serves as the Commonwealth’s provider to inmates with special needs, including long-term care, personal care, wheelchair, and dialysis. The housing units for these inmates are designed to meet their specific needs and provide them with the care and support they require.
Overall, the housing units at SCI Laurel Highlands are designed to provide a safe and secure environment for all inmates while also meeting their individual needs. Inmates in these units have access to a range of programs and services that can help them address their specific needs and prepare them for successful reentry into society.
Visitation and Mail
Visitation and mail are important ways for inmates to stay connected with their loved ones. SCI Laurel Highlands allows for both in-person visitation and mail correspondence.
Visiting Hours
In-person visitation is available at all DOC facilities, including SCI Laurel Highlands. Visiting hours vary depending on the housing unit and the custody level of the inmate. Visitors must arrive at least one hour before the end of the scheduled visitation time. It is recommended to check the current visiting schedule before planning a visit.
To visit an inmate, visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list. Visitors must also bring valid identification and follow the facility’s dress code. Visitors are subject to search before entering the facility.
Mailing Address
Mail is another way for inmates to stay connected with their loved ones. Inmates can receive letters, cards, and photographs from family and friends. However, there are some restrictions on what can be sent to inmates. For example, inmates cannot receive packages or money orders.
To send mail to an inmate at SCI Laurel Highlands, use the following address:
Smart Communications/PADOC
Inmate Name/Inmate Number
Institution
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733All incoming mail is subject to search for contraband. Inmates are allowed to send mail as well, but outgoing mail must follow certain guidelines.
Overall, visiting and mail are important ways for inmates to stay connected with their loved ones. The Department of Public Welfare recognizes the importance of maintaining family connections for inmates’ well-being and successful reentry into society.
Notable Inmates
SCI Laurel Highlands has housed several notable inmates throughout its history. One of the most infamous inmates was John du Pont, who was convicted of murdering Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz. Du Pont was a wealthy heir to the du Pont family fortune and had a fascination with wrestling. He built a wrestling facility on his estate and sponsored many wrestlers, including Schultz. However, du Pont’s mental health deteriorated, and he became increasingly paranoid and delusional. In 1996, he shot and killed Schultz, leading to his arrest and eventual conviction. Du Pont was sentenced to 13 to 30 years in prison and died in prison in 2010.
Another notable inmate at SCI Laurel Highlands was David M. Thomas, who was convicted of the murder of Pennsylvania State Trooper Joseph J. Sepp Jr. in 1992. Thomas was sentenced to death for the crime and spent several years on death row before his sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole in 2005. He was transferred to SCI Laurel Highlands in 2014.
Other notable inmates at SCI Laurel Highlands include:
- Michael Travaglia, who was convicted of the murder of his wife and sentenced to life in prison in 2001.
- Eric Frein, who was convicted of the murder of a Pennsylvania State Trooper and sentenced to death in 2017.
- Kevin Murphy, who was convicted of the murder of his wife and sentenced to life in prison in 2011.
SCI Laurel Highlands has also housed several high-profile inmates who were not convicted of violent crimes, including former Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent J. Fumo and former Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge Thomasine Tynes.