SCI Forest

The Department of Corrections’ search for a new correctional facility location caught the attention of Forest County Commissioners in 1998. At that time, the area was in need of economic improvement due to the shut-down of a major employer. The Commissioners decided a state-run correctional facility would be a boost to the area and began their quest to bring a DOC facility to Marienville. Seven years and numerous community meetings later, SCI Forest became a reality after overcoming project delays and a change in the facility design. SCI Forest is a prototypical design similar to other state facilities in Pennsylvania but with major security design upgrades, including a wagon wheel design of the housing units. The first inmates arrived on October 28, 2004.  

Facility Information

Number of Acres Inside Perimeter: 45

Number of Acres Outside Perimeter: 68

Number of Operational Structures (inside and outside of perimeter): 28

Number of Housing Units: 11

Housing units consist of both cells and dormitory-style housing.

Special Features: Special Needs Unit

Average Number of Full-Time Employees:  684

Inmate Information

Inmate Population: Current Inmate Population

PA Correctional Industries: The PCI Vehicle Restoration Plant repairs and maintains snow plows, rims, message boards and other heavy equipment vehicles for state and county governments. It employs 43 inmates with potential to increase to 100.

Community Work Program: The SCI Forest CWP crew assists local non-profit organizations with mowing and painting. It also helps with a PenNDOT Adopt-a-Highway litter cleanup.

Reentry Service Office: In order to ease a reentrant’s transition after release and improve community reintegration, the Reentry Service Offices (RSOs) are designed to provide information and services to inmates who are within 18 months to their minimum and/or release date. Reentry Parole Agents (RPAs) oversee the RSOs and work with other DOC staff members to facilitate various workshops including Life Skills, Budgeting, Digital Literacy — among many others. The RSO utilizes its computer lab to assist reentrants with resume writing, job searches, as well as providing community connections for services they may need upon release.

Academic Education

• GED

Vocational Programs

• Custodial Maintenance and Repair
• Construction Building Trades
• Electricity
• Business Education
• Auto Technology
• Masonry
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training
• Welding
• ServSafe
  

Inmate Programs

• Therapeutic Community
• Outpatient Therapy Group
• Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD)
• Act 143 Victim Awareness
• Sex Offender Program
• Long Term Offenders
• Thinking for a Change
• Violence Prevention
• Batterer’s Program
• Medication Education
• Hepatitis C Treatment Education