STATE COLLEGE  (TNS) — Weeks of silence from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration on the proposal to close Rockview state prison and Quehanna Boot Camp have tested the patience of some Centre County families who say they’ve grown weary waiting for a decision.

The proposal was announced in February and the state Department of Corrections said a final decision was expected by the end of May. Seven weeks later, with the decision still “pending” and no timeline in sight, some families say the uncertainty is taking a toll.

“We’re a little past angry and just kind of apathetic in the sense that we’re just tired of waiting. We would prefer to have a decision either way, whether it’s open or closed,” said Hayley Cassel, the wife of a Rockview corrections officer who lives in Patton Township. “Now is the season where our family starts to do our yearly planning — summertime vacation was done, we start to look forward to our goals for next year — and we really can’t because we don’t know what we can plan on.

“… Just tell us if we’re closed or tell us if we’re open. One way or another, we need an answer.”

Shapiro’s administration has pitched the proposal as a way to save tens of millions of dollars in the face of shrinking state prison populations, high vacancy and turnover rates among corrections officers and soaring overtime costs.

Rockview is the second-oldest of the nearly two dozen in the DOC system and the agency has said it would require $74 million in upgrades over the next five years — the highest cost of any state prison. Community members and elected officials have questioned those figures, and pointed to deeper local economic impacts.

Together, Rockview and Quehanna employ about 850 people. The state has said every affected staff member is guaranteed a job offer at their current pay and classification, though it has made no promises about shift assignments or transfer locations.

“At this point, just tell us so we can move on with our lives,” said Sierra Watkins, the wife of a Rockview corrections officer who lives in Spring Township. “We have two young children. We’re trying to figure out day care.” State lawmakers question decision delay

State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, said Wednesday he’s been in regular communication with Shapiro’s administration about the proposal. He spoke with the governor’s executive team as recently as Tuesday.

Takac also said his constituents have pushed for a resolution, describing it as a “serious and significant, ongoing stress.” After breaking with the Democratic governor over the proposal, Takac said he’s hopeful the delay means the administration will reverse course.

“If the perception was that it was a done deal, I think the fact that they are continuing to take a hard look at this is encouraging,” Takac said. “Unfortunately, like everything in Harrisburg these days, I think the decision is probably being affected by the ongoing budget deliberations.”

Shapiro and the state’s politically divided legislature blew past the legal deadline of July 1 to pass a budget for the new fiscal year. The governor requested about $3.3 billion for the DOC. It’s the state’s third most costly agency.

State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, said the drawn-out decision-making from the DOC is “extremely frustrating.” If the facilities close, he also disputed just how much it would save taxpayers.

Labor is the most costly aspect of running a prison and the state spends millions annually to maintain shuttered prisons. Pittsburgh state prison closed in 2017 and is now being prepared for demolition — a razing that could cost upward of $50 million.

As Benninghoff sees it, potential savings are years away. But economics aside, he urged Shapiro’s administration to “just tell people.”

“I think most people are at the point of, ‘Just make the darn decision.’ This is not rocket science,” Benninghoff said. “… Frankly, it’s frustrating as an elected representative of our people to have to play cat and mouse with the administration to get some damn answers. It’s not right.”

State Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, said he’s received a mixed bag of feedback from his constituents. Some are looking for a decision as soon as possible so they can move on with their lives, while others are hoping no news is good news.

Dush said he is hesitant to prod the DOC for a decision, fearing it may “drive them into saying something that we don’t want to hear.”

Centre County’s commissioners estimated the central Pennsylvania economy stands to lose $118 million annually if the closures are approved. They warned of “potential disaster” in a March letter that was sent to DOC Secretary Laurel R. Harry.

The Pennsylvania Prison Society has been generally supportive of the proposal, saying it could save money and keep Pennsylvanians safe if done properly. The nonprofit has said Rockview is in serious disrepair.

A message left with state Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Richland Township, was not returned. State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, said the DOC has acknowledged his concerns, but offered no indication when they will make a decision.

He said in an email it’s “unfair to the employees to keep them waiting.” Conklin was also asked by the Centre Daily Times when he would deem the lack of a decision to be unacceptable. He answered with one word.

“Now,” Conklin said.