AFSCME members speak out against proposed DOC closures

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections held public hearings on the proposed closures of Quehanna Boot Camp and SCI Rockview on April 10 and 15, respectively.

Both hearings were packed with hundreds of community members, most if not all of whom were in attendance to express their opposition to these closures.

Among those making their voices heard were AFSCME members Amanda Conner and Shelley Miller. Amanda is a Records Specialist at Quehanna Boot Camp and a member of Local 3266, and Shelley is a Purchasing Agent at SCIs Benner/Rockview and President of Local 3564.

Both Amanda and Shelley shared the impact such closures would have on the employees of the facilities, as well as the surrounding communities. Dozens of other speakers echoed their sentiments and called on decision makers to rethink these proposals.

"Quehanna is not your stereotypical prison. It is a one-of-a-kind place. You won’t find a hidden gem like this anywhere else in the Department of Corrections," Amanda said to a packed hearing at Karthaus Community Alliance Church in Clearfield County.

"When you leave here, I truly want you to think about the proposed closure of Quehanna and how this is going to affect each and every individual in this room, their families, and our community as a whole."

Shelley made her case in a crowded school auditorium in Centre County.

"We have many new employees at Rockview who took this DOC job optimistically, and now the rug is being pulled out from under them. They can no longer go back to their old jobs and there are no feasible options for alternative state employment. This leaves your employees in great despair and feeling helpless," Shelley stated.

"This facility and this community are worth investing in. We ask Governor Shapiro, Secretary Harry, and the Department of Corrections, to see that, to reconsider this plan, and to work with us and our unions to develop a more constructive way forward."

AFSCME Council 13 stands in opposition to these proposed closures and is committed to working to stop or mitigate any negative outcomes for our members in these facilities and the populations and communities they dutifully serve.

Thank you to everyone who came out to to these hearings to make their opposition known. 

See photos below!