Majority of employees at closing state prisons have new jobs

(Harrisburg) -- The vast majority of the workers at two state prisons slated to close have accepted jobs elsewhere.

State Corrections Secretary John Wetzel says 85 percent of the employees at SCI Greensburg and SCI Cresson have taken new positions in the department, two months after the prison closures were announced.

He says most of those with new positions could still be able to commute.

"The second question everybody was concerned about was how far people are going to be from their home. Of the 85 percent who've accepted jobs so far, 80 percent are within 60 miles of their home," Wetzel says.

Wetzel says he recognizes the prison closures will cause hardships, but adds the move will save the state $23 million a year.

He has committed to working with the state Senate and House Judiciary Committees on developing protocols for future prison closures.

The state prison population is projected to decrease by 3,600 inmates over the next five years.