House and Senate Appropriations Committee Ask Questions about Prison Expansion

DGS Secretary Jim Creedon appeared before both Appropriations Committees to answer questions regarding the Department’s prison expansion initiatives.

In the House, the focus was on SCI Fayette. Secretary Creedon told the Committee that three sites are currently be considered (one in German Township and two in Luzerne Township). DGS has environmental reviews on all three and appraisals for two of the sites. The Secretary said his goal is to get construction started by Labor Day.

The Senate hearing covered a wider range of issues. Secretary Creedon told the Senate panel about all seven projects. Contracts for SCI Cambridge Springs, SCI Coal Township and SCI Pine Grove have been awarded, and the projects are underway. SCI Forest and Rockview are in the process of being re-bid. SCI Grateford is on hold and SCI Fayette is still in the land acquisition phase.

The secretary did discuss bid price issues and litigation over PLAs and the Separations Act as being the reasons why SCI Grateford and SCI Rockview haven’t started yet. He also outlined the decision of the Court that allows PLAs to be considered, but didn’t confirm that DGS will use a PLA for the bigger projects moving forward.pThe Secretary also discussed the Separations Act and the design build concept. He highlighted two major projects – the Penguins Arena and the Philadelphia Convention Center that received waivers from the Act.