Benninghoff, Kephart, Policy Committee Hold Hearing on Proposed Closures of SCI Rockview, Quehanna Boot Camp

April 16, 2025

STATE COLLEGE—On Monday, Policy Committee Chairman David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), Rep. Dallas Kephart (R-Cambria/Clearfield) and other lawmakers held a hearing titled “The Impact of Prison Closures in our Communities” to discuss Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed closures of SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp.

Testifiers included Benninghoff; Kephart; Greg Scott, president and CEO, Centre County Chamber of Commerce; John Eckenrode, president, Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association; Stephen Clark, PSCOA local president, SCI Rockview; Alisa J. Liptak, corrections officer, Quehanna Boot Camp; Frazer Blake, commander (RET.), Quehanna Boot Camp; and Josh Paul, legislative director, Sen. Dave Argall (R-29).

Providing over 1,000 jobs inrural Pennsylvania, SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp are both significant employers with longstanding roles in supporting Pennsylvania’s public safety system. Together, these two facilities house 2,500 inmates. The proposed prison closures are being pitched to the public as a means of saving money, but there is no follow-through with offloading these state assets.

“Since 2006, more than $180 million in taxpayer money has been spent to maintain state facilities that are already closed,” said Rowe. “Like the others, SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp are at risk of becoming empty spectacles at the expense of Pennsylvania taxpayers.” 

“My frustration lies with the fact that the Shapiro administration has failed to provide us with answers to the questions we have about why these two facilities within 30 miles of each other are being targeted for closure,” said Benninghoff. “The governor’s plan will have a tremendous negative effect on our regional economy with the loss of family-sustaining jobs and the impact on suppliers who provide services to these facilities. If the goal is to save money, a better way to do that would be to sell the vacant prisons that already exist, liquidate them, and keep SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp in service.” 

“Quehanna Boot Camp has more than proven its worth in reshaping troubled individuals so they can be productive in life and contribute to society as law-abiding citizens,” Kephart said. “The Department of Corrections report on Quehanna Boot Camp is filled with half-truths and does not highlight the important positive impact Quehanna Boot Camp has on those who utilize their programs. I challenge Gov. Shapiro to come see what an effective criminal justice center looks like with Quehanna Boot Camp.” 

The hearing can be viewed at policycommittee.com. 



Representative David H. Rowe
85th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nancy Nilson
717.260.6238
nnilson@pahousegop.com
pagoppolicy.com

Rowe Contact: Nancy Nilson, nnilson@pahousegop.com
Benninghoff Contact: Scott Little, slittle@pahousegop.com
Kephart Contact: Matt Davis, mdavis@pahousegop.com