Pennsylvania State Prisons To Begin Reopening Process

PENNSYLVANIA — The state prison system is launching a phased "demobilization" plan that will begin to return operations to normal, they announced on Friday.

The reopening plan will be guided by Gov. Wolf's red, yellow, and green plan to reopen parts of the state based on the health of a given prison's population and what the virus looks like there. The state prison system has been quarantined since March 30, when the first case of the virus was found at SCI Phoenix in Montgomery County.

“As the Governor reopens Pennsylvania, we, too, must return to a more normal operation, and get back to preparing individuals to successfully reenter society.” Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said. “I’m very appreciative of our staff who have worked tirelessly to slow the spread of this virus, and it’s time to move forward with caution.”

As counties move from red to yellow to green in Gov. Wolf's plan, the prisons within those counties will gradually increase the number of inmates allowed to be out of their cells at one time. Additionally, prison programs and religious services will transition gradually from cell-based to small public events.

The quarantine that's been in place since March is "essentially forced social distancing," Wetzel said at the time. Inmates have been fed in their cells, and get designated out of cell time for video calls, phone calls, and law library access.

Visits involving contact will be suspended until the entire state is in the green phase. Video visits will remain an option. Wetzel said these visits have been "well received" by visitors and inmates.

The new plan includes five levels, ranging from a restrictive level 5 to the least restrictive level 1.

The state plans to move 14 facilities to level 3 on May 26: Albion, Benner Township, Cambridge Springs, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Houtzdale, Laurel Highlands, Mercer, Muncy, Pine Grove, Quehanna, Rockview and Somerset.

The following 12 facilities will move to level 4 on May 26: Camp Hill, Chester, Coal Township, Dallas, Frackville, Huntingdon, Mahanoy, Phoenix, Retreat, Smithfield, and Waymart.

There are 44,600 inmates in 25 state prisons in Pennsylvania.