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NANTICOKE — Beyond the disappointment of Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to close the State Correctional Institution at Retreat, state Sen. John Yudichak said he feels the governor is sincere in saying he will work with legislators to ease the economic impact of the closure on Luzerne County’s economy.
Yudichak, I-Swoyersville, on Friday said he spoke to the governor and came away confident that Wolf will earnestly work to keep families in Luzerne County and in the employ of the state.
Yudichak said he and Sens. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, and John Gordner, R-Berwick, will work with the administration to develop legislation and direct resources to Luzerne County to deal with the significant economic loss that will result from the closure of SCI Retreat.
“Sen. Baker and Sen. Gordner have been great allies throughout this process,” Yudichak said. “And I believe Gov. Wolf is sincere in his commitment to ease the impact the closure will have. We talked about making a reinvestment in the recovery strategy for Newport Township, Hunlock Creek and Shickshinny Borough.”
Yudichak was also clear to express his disappointment for the families of the more than 400 employees at the prison.
“Those workers have done a tremendous job and this decision is no reflection on their work,” Yudichak said. “This decision was more about political ideology and satisfying a political interest than having an efficient prison system.”
Moving forward, Yudichak said the first priority will be to assure the employees and their families have an opportunity to retain state employment in Luzerne County so they can maintain their community ties.
More reaction
Baker said she wants to commend the members of the community for their passionate and constant advocacy on behalf of SCI Retreat and the workers.
“The suspicion from the start was the Wolf administration was irrevocably committed to closure, no matter how deep our concerns or how compelling our arguments,” Baker said. “This lamentable decision against our interests is by no means the end of the story. I and others will now pursue with equal intensity state funding to alleviate the economic harm to the greatest extent possible.”
State Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, denounced the governor’s decision to shutter SCI-Retreat.
“It is very difficult to express my frustration with Gov. Wolf’s ideology and ultimate decision to displace hundreds of hard-working and dedicated employees,” Mullery said. “We have fought hard from day one to prevent the closure of SCI-Retreat and remain committed to the employees who work tirelessly to keep our community safe.”
Mullery went on to say that for two years he has been a part of a united front of bipartisan state and local elected officials and community activists who banded together to fight the closure.
“Together we showed how vital SCI-Retreat is to the community, and I am sorry to learn our words fell on deaf ears,” Mullery said. “The impact of this closure will be felt well beyond the prison walls.”
Mullery said he will continue to stand with the corrections officers and employees who are going through this difficult and stressful process, and he hopes they “will find some peace of mind and can move forward at this uncertain, troubling time.”
Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, expressed his disappointment with Wolf’s decision while focusing on the families who will be affected by the loss.
“I am extremely disappointed that the Governor has decided to close SCI Retreat,” Kaufer said in an email. “This is a major loss for our community and for the hundreds of family sustaining jobs in our area. Unfortunately, this decision was not in the best interests of Northeastern Pennsylvania as well as the families that this will impact.”
Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township, said the closure of SCI Retreat will have a dramatic negative impact on families, schools, and community.
“Northeast Pennsylvania is reeling from announcements of losing over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs related to the prison,” Toohil said. “I am dismayed by this decision. We are asking the governor to please reconsider on behalf of the entire Northeast Legislative Bipartisan Team and the citizens of the Northeast.”
Rep. Karen Boback, R-Dallas, reflected on how the closure will change the area’s economy.
“I am extremely disappointed in the decision to close SCI-Retreat. The closing of this facility will deal a devastating blow to the economies of Newport, surrounding townships and Luzerne County at large,” she said in an email Friday. “I revert back to Act 133 of 2018 which was supposed to ensure prison closures would be thoroughly vetted in an open, transparent manner. Local stakeholders have similarly expressed disappointment in how the process was handled.”
PSCOA statement
The Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association issued a statement on the decision to close SCI-Retreat:
“To save money, Pennsylvania is closing prisons at a time when 60 percent of inmates return to prison within three years. Pennsylvania’s system is bursting at the seams.
“State lawmakers must hold the Department of Corrections accountable for putting money over public safety, or prisons in their legislative districts will be next.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.