SCI Mercer

The State Correctional Institution at Mercer initially was established as a State Regional Correctional Facility (SRCF) on June 23, 1978. Located in Findley Township, Mercer County, SRCF Mercer opened on July 5, 1978, receiving short-term male county offenders from 14 Northwestern Pennsylvania counties. Capacity at that time was 180 minimum security inmates with a staff complement of 100. SRCF Mercer was designed as an open, campus-like setting positioned on 304 acres of land and was classified as a Level 2 (L-2) facility. In 2008, SRCF Mercer changed from a regional facility to a State Correctional Institution. On July 1, 2008, the custody level of the institution changed to a level 2-3 facility. Throughout the years there have been various construction projects undertaken, leading to the current inmate population of 1,312 inmates.

SCI Mercer is unique in that it operates solely on electrical power. The facility is equipped with two large generators outside the perimeter fence to maintain essential services in the event of a power failure. In addition, the facility operates its own wastewater treatment plant.

Facility Information

Number of Acres Inside Perimeter: 37

Number of Acres Outside Perimeter: 252

Number of Operational Structures: 39

Number of Housing Units: 13

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

Special Features: 24-bed Tertiary Unit in Medical. The Education building was originally a bowling alley and the Chapel was originally a Stuckey’s Restaurant. Both buildings were disassembled and reassembled on-grounds using both contractor and inmate labor. We also have a shooting range, CERT Building, a Training Building and an atrium that covers the walkway into the facility.

Average Number of Full-Time Employees: 485

Inmate Information

Inmate Population: Current Inmate Population

PA Correctional Industries: PCI operates a Garment Shop at SCI Mercer that employs 59 inmates.

Community Work Program: The SCI Mercer CWP takes selected inmates with outside clearance to perform voluntary, unskilled labor for non-profit organizations and government agencies. The goals of the program are to enhance community relations and for the inmates to accomplish useful work, contribute to society and develop a strong work ethic and feeling of self-worth. Some of the projects the crew has completed include painting at local churches, cleaning up a local fair, washing and waxing firetrucks, loading and unloading food at local food banks and cleaning state parks.

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
• Commonwealth Secondary Diploma
• Adult Basic Education

Vocational Programs

• Automotive Technology
• Barber School
• Building Trades
• Carpentry
• Business Education
• Custodial Maintenance
• OSHA

Inmate Programs

• Pathways to Success
• Money Smart
• Transitional Village
• Therapeutic Community
• Veterans Service Unit (registered American Legion Post #110)
• Victim Awareness
• Back on Track
• Interpersonal Violence
• Impact on Crime
• Co-Occurring and Outpatient Groups
• Prison Canine Program
• Seeking Safety
• Sex Offender Programs
• SUD
• Violence Prevention