Another elected official has joined a growing chorus of opposition to the planned closing of two state prisons, perhaps those in Schuylkill and Luzerne counties.

U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright, D-17, on Tuesday met with Department of Corrections Secretary John E. Wetzel, who announced the closings last Friday.The state will choose two prisons from a list of five: The State Correctional Institution at Frackville; SCI Mercer, Mercer County; SCI Retreat, Luzerne County; SCI Waymart, Wayne County; and SCI Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.The department will announce its final decision on Jan. 26. The closings are scheduled for June 30.Cartwright's 17th Congressional District includes Schuylkill County and parts of Carbon, Monroe, Luzerne, Lackawanna and Northampton.Cartwright expressed his concerns to Wetzel about the potential economic impact on local communities the closures may have and urged the Department of Corrections to consider the full impact on the region before closing any facilities."My meeting with Secretary Wetzel allowed for a frank, open discussion into the matter, and the Secretary indicated that Gov. Wolf and the Department of Corrections are willing to listen to our concerns," Cartwright said. "I will be closely monitoring the Department of Corrections' decision and its impact going forward."Several other elected officials have also voiced opposition to the plan.State Sen. John T. Yudichak, D-Luzerne, Carbon, called for a delay in the decision and to hold public hearings before any action is taken.State Sen. David G. Argall, R- Schuylkill/Berks, and state Reps. Neal P. Goodman, D-Schuylkill; Jerry Knowles, R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill; and Mike Tobash, R-Schuylkill/Berks have also vowed to fight the closings of prisons in their districts."This is truly an impact that could be felt across not just the community, but across the county and region," Argall said. "These petitions are for taxpayers who feel very strongly that SCI Frackville should remain open.""I'm shocked SCI Frackville was included in this list. Frackville is one of the best-run facilities in the commonwealth," Goodman said. "Schuylkill County also is an area that cannot sustain the loss of 400 positions. We are doing everything we can to prevent this. We need your help in signing this petition to keep Frackville open.""The reality is there would be no good reason to close SCI Frackville," Knowles said. "I hope Schuylkill County residents and area taxpayers take the time to sign this petition and have their voices heard when it comes to keeping this facilities' doors open."People wishing to sign the petition may sign it on Sen. Argall's website at

www.SenatorArgall.com or Rep. Neal Goodman's website at

www.pahouse.net/Goodman.