Report Investigates Pennsylvania Prison’s Proximity to Coal Operations

LA BELLE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania State Correctional Officers Association will conduct a health survey of present and former members working at State Correctional Institution – Fayette (SCI Fayette) in La Belle as well as three other prisons built near coal ash disposal or coal mining operations in the state.

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Pennsylvania Prisons May Halt Hiring

HARRISBURG, Pa. — In an effort to save money, Pennsylvania Corrections Secretary John Wetzel has instituted a department-wide freeze on new hiring, which union representatives are calling a threat to correctional staff safety.

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Legislators Seek to Block Privatization of Prison Mental Health Services

HARRISBURG — A bill that would allow 27 Pennsylvania state prisons to outsource mental health services has encountered heavy opposition from state legislatures who are saying such action would put local communities at risk.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections proposed the idea, which would contract out as many as 187 mental health positions including 159 licensed psychologists, with the idea that the plan would be a cost-effective method of improving mental health services.

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