Corbett Administration Now Accepting Proposals for New Prison Project in Southeastern Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett's administration is accepting proposals for a new construction project that will bring a modern, multi-use correctional facility to Southeastern Pennsylvania. The project is called State Correctional Institutions Phoenix East and West.

This project replaces a previously planned project that was to take place on the grounds of SCI Graterford in Montgomery County. After an evaluation, the original project was completely overhauled to ensure it met the present and future needs of the Department of Corrections and the financial responsibility due to taxpayers.

"We are committed to moving this revised project forward,'' Corbett said. "Taxpayers should rest assured that we will conduct this project in a way that protects public safety and is fiscally responsible."

"We are excited to get the proposal process for this new prison project underway,'' Secretary of General Services Sheri Phillips said. "Thanks to the teamwork between the departments of General Services and Corrections, the infrastructure of the state's corrections system will be greatly improved and construction jobs will be brought to Southeastern Pennsylvania.''

The planned facility will house up to 4,100 offenders. The revised project will better fit the Department of Corrections' population needs while reducing operational costs.

"I am confident that the improvements made to the design of SCIs Phoenix East and West will allow us to meet our goal of operating safe and secure prisons,'' Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel said. "The department's intention for many years has been to replace SCI Graterford with more efficient, better-designed facilities in the region from where a majority of our inmates come. This project allows us to achieve that goal.''

Specific design changes made by corrections officials include the addition of a capital case unit; a separate, outside-of-the-perimeter female inmate transitional unit; a change in housing unit layout that allows for better staff visibility; additional space for Correctional Industries; and a number of security changes and features that ensure the physical protection systems in place can effectively combine technology.

"This was an opportunity to improve upon a design and to change the scope of the project to ensure taxpayer funds are spent in an appropriate manner, and in a way that is in line with our department's mission,'' Wetzel added.

Interested proposers can access the Notice to Proposers online at www.dgs.state.pa.us. Click on "construction and public works'' in the left navigation bar and then click on "Prison Expansion Projects,'' in the left navigation bar.

The project is titled, "Project No. DGS 577-36 3^rd REVISED REBID – S.C.I. Phoenix.'' Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011.

Media contacts:

Kevin Harley, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Troy Thompson, General Services; 717-787-3197
Susan McNaughton, Corrections; 717-975-4879

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of General Services