HARRISBURG – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), state Rep. Dallas Kephart (R-Cambria/Clearfield) and state Rep. Mike Armanini (R-Clearfield/Elk) issued the following statements regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s plan to close the Quehanna Boot Camp in Clearfield County and SCI Rockview in Centre County.
“Governor Shapiro’s plan to close the Quehanna Boot Camp in Clearfield County and SCI Rockview in Centre County is shortsighted, lacks common sense, and would cripple our local economy,” said Langerholc. “I stand in full opposition to this proposal and will utilize all available resources to ensure it does not occur. Corrections is a core governmental service. Besides ensuring the community’s safety, these facilities provide stable, family sustaining jobs that are essential to our local economy. The governor’s budget certainly had no lack of increased spending to benefit his core supporting industries. Now he deals a blow to small rural counties to fund his inflated spending plan. Quehanna Boot Camp and SCI Rockview are well established, well-functioning efficient facilities. They need to stay in operation. I stand with all the men and women who put on the uniform daily and will work to put an end to this ill-conceived notion.”
“I have visited Quehanna Boot Camp to see the work that they do,” shared Kephart. “Quehanna efficiently lowered recidivism rates and employed many people in the 73rd. Closing a facility to save money, after having just invested in improvements for the facility recently, is an interesting choice and I believe Quehanna is an effective criminal justice center being sacrificed to compensate for a governor’s spending wish list.”
“While visiting Quehanna Boot Camp, I was able to see how well the program works and I believe the location of the camp is a part of the success,” shared Armanini. “Assuring employees find employment in other areas of the correctional system does not guarantee that this extremely successful program will continue if it is cut up and moved to other locations. It is a unique program that works, and Pennsylvania should invest in keeping it at the current location.”
CONTACTS: Gwenn Dando (Sen. Langerholc)
Matthew Davis (Reps. Kephart and Armanini)