State Correctional Institution – Cambridge Springs

State Correctional Institution - Cambridge Springs

Location	Cambridge Springs, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Security class	Minimum-Security
Capacity	1,018
Population	1,072 (as of June 30, 2015)
Opened	March, 1992
Managed by	Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

State Correctional Institution (SCI) Cambridge Springs is a minimum-security correctional facility for females in Cambridge Springs, in Crawford County in northwestern Pennsylvania. The majority of the inmates housed here are nearing their release from prison.

Creation of SCI Cambridge Springs

In 1990, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the former Polish National Alliance College campus and converted into a minimum-security women's institution. SCI Cambridge Springs opened in 1992, with the transfer^[1] of inmates from SCI Waynesburg.

Facility Makeup

The existing buildings at SCI Cambridge Springs were built in the 1930s and 1940s; however, construction of new housing units and renovations have since been completed. There are 125 Acres at SCI Cambridge Springs, 40 of those being under the perimeter fence. There are 20 buildings that are operational at the facility, including five (5) out of six (6) housing units that contain both cells and dormitory-style living for inmates.^[2]

Facility Capacity and Demographics

At SCI Cambridge Springs, the inmate population, according to the June 2015 Monthly Inmate Capacity Report,^[3] presently there are 1,072 inmates being held there. This is 54 inmates over the capacity of 1,018 inmates, or a little bit over 105% capacity for the institution. The average age of an inmate at Cambridge Springs is 38 and the facility employs 311 full-time employees.^[2]

Inmate Supports

There is a plethora of Inmate Supports at SCI Cambridge Springs, including:

Education/Training

• GED Training
• Vocational Education: Optical, Braille, Custodial Maintenance, Cosmetology

Inmate Support Groups

• Family/Relationship Self
• Sex Offenders
• Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD)
• Offense Related
• Mental Health Programs

Other Supports and Benefits to Inmates, Visitors, and the Surrounding Area

• Virtual Visitation
• Correctional Industries: Optical Lab that makes glasses for all of the DOC facilities. The Lab also services DEP Southeastern Region, DPW Norristown State Hospital, and other local nonprofit agencies. The inmate must successfully complete a six-month vocational class before being permitted or eligible to work in the Optical Lab. After completing the six-month vocational training, inmates have an opportunity to take the American Board of Opticianry test to become a certified Optician. This certification allows them to practice Opticianry in the United States.^[2]
• Community Work Program - Inmates worked nearly 3,000 hours of CWP this year in the surrounding community.

See also

• List of Pennsylvania state prisons

References

1. "Greene Prison Changeover Nearly Complete" - Washington, PA Observer-Reporter, 9/12/1992 (Retrieved: 5/7/2011)
2. "SCI Cambridge Springs". Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
3. "PA DOC Monthly Capacity Report as of June 30, 15" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Retrieved 23 July 2015.

External links

• SCI Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Coordinates: 41°47′50″N 80°03′15″W / 41.79722°N 80.05417°W