Potential prison closings must be studied from all angles

We want to issue our public support for Senate Bill 748, which establishes the Public Safety Facilities Act. This long-overdue legislation prevents the quick and often unnecessary closures of state prison facilities that force our officers into life-changing decisions — and communities into economic devastation. All of this happens with little or no warning.

Our officers and their families, some of whom had recently bought homes, have been forced to make decisions in a matter of days that change the lives of their loved ones forever. When the State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh recently closed, most officers had to transfer to a prison 64 miles away. That’s a lot of gas and wear and tear on automobiles. Others are traveling much farther, and some have had to relocate their families to other areas in the commonwealth, including as far away as SCI Camp Hill (202 miles) and SCI Chester County (312 miles).

After facing potential prison closures in their districts, Sens. David Argall, John Yudichak, Lisa Baker, Michele Brooks and Wayne Fontana took to the drawing board to fight for us. Senate Bill 748, modeled after similar legislation in New York, provides for a transparent, concrete process that allows communities reasonable time to make their case against closure.

We do not believe Pennsylvania should be closing prisons, and believe violent criminals are being paroled to help cut the prison population. Senate Bill 748 will ensure that a fair process is created that studies potential closings from every angle and supports people and communities over politics. JASON BLOOM

President Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association

Harrisburg