Why did Western Penitentiary close?
Table of Contents
On January 26, 2017, 8 it was announced that SCI Pittsburgh would close by June 30 as a result of state budget shortfalls and inmate population decreases. It would save the state approximately $81 million annually.
When did Western Penitentiary close?
State Correctional Institution – Pittsburgh

Location in Pennsylvania | |
---|---|
Population | 1,500 |
Opened | 1826 1882 (Present location) |
Closed | 2005–20 |
Former name | Western Penitentiary |
What was filmed at Western Penitentiary?
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Showtime’s “Escape at Dannemora” limited drama series about a real-life 2015 jail break in upstate New York filmed its eight episodes over about six months mostly in New York with two weeks of production in Pittsburgh at the now-closed SCI Pittsburgh (formerly known as Western Penitentiary).
When did SCI Pittsburgh close?
SCI Pittsburgh was closed in 2017. State officials are eager to redevelop a former state prison along the Ohio River in Pittsburgh and are working to advance legislation that would reinvigorate the stalled process.

When did SCI Cresson close?
June 30, 2013
SCI Cresson opened in 1987 as a medium-security correctional facility for male inmates. What is this? SCI Cresson closed June 30, 2013, with the State citing the antiquity of the prison and rising costs of maintaining it as the primary reasons for the closure.
How many female prisons are in PA?
Pennsylvania has two prisons for women: Cambridge Springs, a minimum security prison, and the state correctional facility in Muncy, in Lycoming County.
When was the Western Penitentiary built?
Western State Penitentiary is a former Pennsylvania state prison, originally constructed between 1878 and 1893 on the east banks of the Ohio River.
When was Western Penitentiary built?
Where is the Cresson Sanatorium located?
Cambria County
The Cresson Sanatorium was located in the mountain near the present-day town of Cresson in Cambria County. The “San” as it was known, was in existence from 1913 and 1964 and treated people diagnosed with tuberculosis.