11 Famous Prisons In The State of Pennsylvania

What are some of the 11 famous prisons in the state of Pennsylvania? This article discusses 11 famous prisons in the state of Pennsylvania.

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Apr 9, 2024 • 6 min read

11 Famous Prisons In The State of Pennsylvania

Are you looking for some historic information about prisons in the state of Pennsylvania? You may not believe there are prisons in Pennsylvania, although there are. Surprisingly, there are a lot of famous prisons that you might want to visit if you ever find yourself in the state of Pennsylvania.

Each prison offers a unique history lesson through its architecture and the events associated with each one. Here is our list of 11 famous prisons in the state of Pennsylvania, which will surely entertain and inform you as well.

Top 11 Famous Prisons In The State of Pennsylvania

Here are the top 11 most famous prisons in the state of Pennsylvania.

SCI Laurel Highlands
State Correctional Institution - Albion
United States Penitentiary - Allenwood
SCI Forest State Penitentiary
SCI Rockview
SCI Smithfield
SCI Mercer
SCI Mahanoy
State Correctional Institution - Retreat
SCI Greene
SCI Fayette

1. SCI Laurel Highlands

A minimum security prison, Laurel Highlands State Correctional Facility, is situated in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Most of the inmates at this facility are geriatric offenders, diabetics, or those who require long-term personal medical care.

Along with general population inmates, this facility houses women inmates. SCI Laurel Highlands has nine buildings that accommodate nearly 1,550 male prisoners. Besides dormitories, multi and single-occupancy cells are among the housing units at SCI Laurel Highlands. Medical care at this facility is higher than that at other state correctional facilities.

As part of the prison's vocational training program, inmates receive business, electronics, and maintenance training. The possibility of earning a GED during incarceration is also available to prisoners who lack a diploma.

Address

Laurel Highlands State Correctional Institution

5706 Glades Pike

Somerset, PA 15501

Phone

(814)-445-6501

2. State Correctional Institution - Albion

Albion State Correctional Institution is a male prison with medium and close custody in the County of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Among the vocational classes offered at Albion are computer technology, forestry, warehouses, and custodial maintenance. Besides earning industry certifications, inmates can also earn certificates (except for computer technology). Inmates without a diploma can earn a GED while in prison.

Address

10745 PA-18, Albion, PA 16475

VJHP+FM Albion, Pennsylvania

Phone

+18147565778

3. United States Penitentiary - Allenwood

A high-security prison in Pennsylvania, Allenwood, houses incarcerated inmates. More than 870 male inmates are housed at Allenwood USP, including many violent and dangerous inmates.

There are four housing units at Allenwood USP. During the day, inmates can leave their cells and use a day room on the first and second floors of the housing units. The USP Allenwood offers classes to inmates, and inmates are encouraged to take classes that may benefit them.

Some academic programs are available to adults, including English second language and GED courses. Many vocational training programs include computer-assisted drafting (CAD) and word processing software. After completing these vocational courses, you will receive a certification.

Address

Main Access Rd, Allenwood, PA 17810

43MF+2W Allenwood, Pennsylvania

Phone

+15705470963

4. SCI Forest State Penitentiary

Located in Marienville, Pennsylvania, Forest State Correctional Institution is a correctional facility. An estimated 2,290 adult male inmates are housed in a maximum security prison in this facility.

Eleven housing units are available at SCI Forest, some of which have multiple occupancy cells, while others are dormitories. Recreation areas are available in each housing unit. Additionally, there are three dining rooms at the prison.

Among the vocational courses offered by Forest State Correctional Institution are HVAC, masonry, CAD, barbering, and custodial maintenance. The prison provides adult basic education classes and GED tests to inmates without a high school diploma.

Address

Parking lot, 153 Woodland Dr, Marienville, PA 16239

FVJX+RJ Marienville, Pennsylvania

Phone

+18146212110

5. SCI Rockview

It is located in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and is part of the Rockview State Correctional Institution. An estimated 2,406 male adult offenders are housed in this medium-security prison. In total, 103 structures make up the prison, including 14 housing units.

At SCI Rockview, there are dormitories and multi-occupancy cells. As part of the facility's function, all male offenders with the Death Penalty will also receive capital punishment. Vocational classes are offered to inmates, including plumbing, heating, and electrical work.

Address

1 Rockview Pl, Bellefonte, PA 16823

R6XF+XF Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Phone

+18143554874

6. SCI Smithfield

Smithfield State Correctional Institution is a state-run facility located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. There are up to 1,380 adult male inmates in this closed-custody prison. The facility consists of twenty-two buildings, eleven of which are residential units.

A single cell or multiple occupancy cells depends on the inmate's security requirements. At Smithfield State Correctional Institution, offenders participating in the Puppy Program help train service dogs.

The government encourages offenders without diplomas and GEDs to enroll in adult introductory education courses while in prison. A variety of trade classes, custodial maintenance, and barbering courses are part of the general vocational education program.

Address

1120 Pike St, Huntingdon, PA 16652

FXX8+64 Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Phone

+18146436520

7. SCI Mercer

This minimum security prison is located in the city of Mercer, Pennsylvania. A total of about 1,500 adult male inmates live in the facility. A total of 37 buildings are located at the prison, of which thirteen are housing units.

As a part of the SCI Mercer campus, some buildings are dormitories, and some are cells with multiple occupants. The Community Work Program requires inmates to paint, clean parks, unload food for food banks, and load and unload vehicles. During incarceration, offenders without diplomas can take classes and earn a GED.

Address

801 Butler Pike, Mercer, PA 16137

6Q4H+RR Mercer, Pennsylvania

Phone

+17246621837

8. SCI Mahanoy

A state prison is located in Frackville, Pennsylvania, known as Mahanoy State Correctional Institution. Approximately 2,490 male adults reside in this medium-security prison. There are 35 buildings in the prison facilities, of which eleven are housing units for inmates.

An apprenticeship program is available for inmates at Mahanoy State Correctional Institution that is designed to teach them a new skill that can be used to find work.

Address

7901 State Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19136

2XHH+XP Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Phone

+12156857843

9. State Correctional Institution - Retreat

In Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, you will find Retreat State Correctional Institution. A number of the housing units are dormitories, and some cells feature multiple occupancies. The Correctional Industries program at SCI Retreat also operates a large laundry facility.

Address

660 State Rte 11, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621

5WQ9+45 Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania

Phone

10. SCI Greene

There is a state prison in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, called Greene State Correctional Institution. Inmates on death row are primarily housed in this maximum-security prison.

Eleven housing units are available for inmates, including open dormitories and multi-occupant cells. A garment factory that employs 56 inmates is a part of the correctional industries program.

GED and adult primary education are offered to inmates at Greene State Correctional Institution. In addition to vocational training, offenders may also enroll in business and HVAC education.

Address

175 Progress Dr, Waynesburg, PA 15370

WV36+VJ Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

Phone

+17248522902

11. SCI Fayette

In LaBelle, Pennsylvania, Fayette State Correctional Institution serves as a correctional facility. SCI Fayette's prison system includes an inmate employment program that uses license plate companies throughout Georgia.

In addition, the metal factory manufactures furniture for prison cells. Several sex offender treatments are offered at Fayette State Correctional Institution for offenders convicted of a sexual crime, including violence prevention and anger management.

Address

Fayette State Correctional Institution

50 Overlook Drive

LaBelle, PA 15450

Phone

(724)-364-2200

PS: 11 Famous Prisons In The State of Pennsylvania

These central prisons have left plenty of history within the state, and their names will live on for years. The mere presence of each facility has profoundly impacted their surrounding communities, even after they have shut down. Pennsylvania is historical, and these prisons will be remembered for shaping the state.

Hopefully, this article has helped those curious about the well-known prisons in Pennsylvania. It's an excellent article for people planning to visit the state and tour one of these locations or for anyone interested in prison history.

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