HARRISBURG - A state senator says the Department of Corrections is planning to close two state prisons in western Pennsylvania and open a new one that was built a year ago.
Cambria County Sen. John Wozniak told The Associated Press on Tuesday that a member of Gov. Tom Corbett's administration delivered the news to him earlier in the day. A department spokeswoman declined comment, but Corrections Secretary John Wetzel plans a Wednesday announcement.
Benner State Prison in Centre County cost nearly $200 million to build, but it's been vacant so far. Wozniak says the prisons that will close are Greensburg State Prison in Westmoreland County and Cresson State Prison in Cambria County.
Wozniak says most prisoners from Cresson and Greensburg will be moved to Benner.
