Corrections to Unveil New Medical Wing at Women S Prison
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2017
Corrections to Unveil New Medical Wing at Women’s Prison
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Corrections is set to unveil a 10,000-square-foot addition to its medical facility at SCI Muncy, one of the state’s two prisons for female inmates.
SCI Muncy recently received final permitting approval for the opening of the new addition to the Wilson Infirmary that will provide expanded health and dental care services for female inmates.
“The completion of this project signals an important development in the effort to modernize the health care facilities for Pennsylvania’s female inmates,” said Corrections Secretary John Wetzel. “The current physical plant dates to the 1960s and since then the increase in the female population and in the aging, long-term inmate population, along with stricter medical standards have all stretched the capacity and capabilities of the medical department. We very much look forward to the expanded facility going online in the next month.”
The $5.9 million addition is designed to hold 19 long-term medical beds, including 11 single-bed rooms and two dormitory areas that can accommodate four beds each. There is a common room for recreation, along with stations for corrections officers and nurses.
The addition includes a four-chair dialysis center, as well as two exam rooms, an office area, laundry area, multi-purpose room, and outdoor recreation space.
The infirmary also will have a five-chair dental clinic, with x-ray, lab and work stations.
The new medical equipment and additional beds will allow SCI Muncy to provide a comparable level of care to that which male inmates needing health care receive at SCI Laurel Highlands, and to provide direct observation for non-ambulatory patients.
“This addition will give SCI Muncy the ability to better care for its aging and chronically ill inmates in a cost-effective manner,” said SCI Muncy Superintendent Robert Smith. “A significant cost driver in prison health care is transportation and staff time needed to provide adequate security when an inmate is taken to a public hospital.”
The expansion will give SCI Muncy the ability to provide a higher level of service for end-of-life palliative care and hospice.
The larger space also will make it possible to treat female inmates from SCI Cambridge Springs with chronic care issues.
The addition is slated to open in January 2018.
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Worden, Corrections 717-728-4026
Renee’ Shrimp, SCI Muncy 570-546-3171, ext. 313
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