The Department of Corrections issued a brief press statement today announcing that SCI-Retreat, SCI-Frackville, SCI-Waymart and SCI-Mercer will remain open.

In early January, the DOC announced that it would close two prisons from a short-list of five, which were selected by an internal committee without public comment or notice to state lawmakers.Today, DOC Secretary John Wetzel announced SCI-Pittsburgh, effective June 30th, will be closed.Lawmakers and local officials spoke out about the possible closures and a joint Senate Majority Policy and Judiciary committee hearing was held earlier this week.