Correctional and mental health professionals point to the closure of state hospitals and the subsequent underfunding of community mental health centers as the prime drivers of the increase in the numbers of prison inmates with mental illness. In the late 1940s, there were 20 state mental hospitals in the state. Now, only six remain.

Clarks Summit State Hospital (serves Carbon and Monroe counties)Torrance State HospitalDanville State Hospital (serves Schuylkill County)Warren State HospitalNorristown State HospitalWernersville State Hospital (serves Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties)Chris Parker