Skip Navigation

Northumberland County prison nearing completion

northumberland_old_prison.jpg

The old Northumberland County prison, which was destroyed in a fire in January 2015. (Photo courtesy: Northumberland County Historical Society)

(Harrisburg) — A new midstate prison is close to opening.

Northumberland County has been housing inmates in nearby state and county facilities since its prison burned down over three years ago.

Now county commissioners say construction is about 85 percent complete on the nearly $23 million prison in Coal Township.

With the main structure finished, Pennsylvania Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel is scheduled to tour the facility Tuesday.

Commissioner Sam Schiccatano said it’s important to get the secretary’s insight.

“Because we still have six, seven weeks of work left, if he would come through and just walk through and maybe see if there’s any suggestions he might make of something we missed,” Schiccatano said. 

Schiccatano said the prison will need around 30 guards.

A job fair seeking candidates will be held Wednesday, June 13th at the Career Link located at 2 East Arch Street, Shamokin.

The prison could employ up to 80 people in all.

Construction is slated to wrap up by the end of July, and inmates could be moved after Labor Day.

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Up Next
Regional & State News

In pitch to biz group, Wolf touts bipartisanship and economy