Rockview State Prison Closes After 111 Years

Shapiro administration shutters facility despite local opposition, citing cost savings and shrinking prison populations.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Rockview state prison, Pennsylvania's second-oldest, has officially ceased operations after 111 years in Centre County. The Shapiro administration pushed the closure through despite bipartisan local opposition, citing shrinking prison populations and tens of millions in potential savings.

Why it matters

The closure of Rockview raises questions about the future use of the vast 5,700-acre prison property, as well as the impact on the local community and former prison employees.

The details

The proposal to shutter the prison was revealed in February 2025, and just more than a year later, all the inmates and staff had been transferred. Rockview, built in 1915, would have needed $74 million in upgrades over five years to stay open, according to the state Department of Corrections. About 86% of the 642 union-represented staff were transferred to nearby prisons.

  • The proposal to close Rockview state prison was revealed in February 2025.
  • All inmates and staff were transferred out of Rockview by March 2026.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The governor of Pennsylvania who pushed for the closure of Rockview state prison.

Scott Conklin

A state representative who introduced proposals to let counties receive up to 2% of former prison land for affordable housing and mandate transparency in any land sale.

Dallas Kephart

A state representative who co-sponsored a bill with Scott Conklin to mandate transparency in any land sale from the closure of Rockview state prison.

Penn State

The university that said it is 'interested in how the property will be used in the future' given Rockview's proximity to the campus.

Department of Corrections

The state agency that cited the need for $74 million in upgrades over five years to keep Rockview open.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure transparency and accountability in any future use of the Rockview property.”

— Scott Conklin, State Representative (Centre Daily Times)

What’s next

The Shapiro administration has not yet detailed plans for the future use of the 5,700-acre Rockview property, leaving its fate uncertain.

The takeaway

The closure of Rockview state prison after over a century of operation highlights the broader shifts in Pennsylvania's criminal justice system, as well as the challenges in repurposing large-scale former prison properties for the benefit of local communities.