State Correctional Institution - Pittsburgh
Encyclopedia
State Correctional Institution - Pittsburgh (historically known as the "Western Penitentiary" or the "West Pen") is a low-to-medium security correctional institution, operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
, located about five miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh
and within city limits. The facility is on the banks of the Ohio River
, and is located on 21 acres of land. (12 acres within the perimeter fence.) It should not be confused with the original Western Penitentiary that existed from 1826 to 1880 a few blocks east and was the first prison west of the Atlantic Plain
as well as a major Civil War
prison in 1863-1864.
's first correctional facilities, which at the time, held some maximum-security inmates. In January 2005, after transferring the inmates to SCI-Fayette
, the facility was mothballed. In 2007, the facility re-opened with its current name. It houses low and medium security inmates who require substance abuse
treatment.
, the prison was used as the main processing facility for rioters and protesters that were detained and arrested during the week long summit. Radio host Alex Jones
has broadcast accounts of his staff being rounded up--with press credentials--to the prison.
the character Stanley Gusciora is sentenced to 20 years at the "Western Penitentiary at Pittsburgh".
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is the Pennsylvania state agency that is responsible for the confinement, care and rehabilitation of approximately 51,000 inmates at state correctional facilities funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
, located about five miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
and within city limits. The facility is on the banks of the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
, and is located on 21 acres of land. (12 acres within the perimeter fence.) It should not be confused with the original Western Penitentiary that existed from 1826 to 1880 a few blocks east and was the first prison west of the Atlantic Plain
Atlantic Plain
The Atlantic Plain is one of eight distinct United States physiographic regions. This major division consists of the Continental Shelf and Coastal Plain physiographic provinces. It is the flattest of the U.S. physiographic divisions and stretches over in length from Cape Cod to the Mexican border...
as well as a major Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
prison in 1863-1864.
Facility History
Western Penitentiary opened on this site in 1882 , operating as one of the Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
's first correctional facilities, which at the time, held some maximum-security inmates. In January 2005, after transferring the inmates to SCI-Fayette
State Correctional Institution - Fayette
The Fayette State Correctional Institution is a 2,000 bed Maximum-Security Prison located in a remote section of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The prison is located southeast of Pittsburgh and was built to replace two institutions to make the commonwealth's energy bills more...
, the facility was mothballed. In 2007, the facility re-opened with its current name. It houses low and medium security inmates who require substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
treatment.
G-20 Protests
During the 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh summit2009 G-20 Pittsburgh summit
The 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh Summit was the third meeting of the G-20 heads of state in discussion of financial markets and the world economy.The G-20 is the premier forum for discussing, planning and monitoring international economiccooperation....
, the prison was used as the main processing facility for rioters and protesters that were detained and arrested during the week long summit. Radio host Alex Jones
Alex Jones
Alex or Alexander Jones may refer to:*Alex Jones , U.S. radio host and filmmaker*Alex Jones , Major League Baseball pitcher from 1889 to 1903...
has broadcast accounts of his staff being rounded up--with press credentials--to the prison.
Fictional Portrayals
The 1978 film The Brink's JobThe Brink's Job
The Brink's Job is a 1978 film directed by William Friedkin and starring Peter Falk, Peter Boyle, Allen Garfield, Warren Oates, Gena Rowlands, and Paul Sorvino. It is based on the Brink's robbery in Boston, where almost 3 million dollars were stolen....
the character Stanley Gusciora is sentenced to 20 years at the "Western Penitentiary at Pittsburgh".