State Correctional Institution – Chester

State Correctional Institution – Chester is a medium-security, all-male correctional facility in Chester, Pennsylvania.History of SCI-ChesterSCI Chester, constructed as a 1,175 bed medium-security prison for inmates with a documented substance abuse history was constructed for nearly $74 million with an annual operating budget of $36 million.SCI Chester is the 24th state correctional institution to open in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is unique in its architectural structure and programmatic design. The housing units design - pods - was considered an ambitious move for correctional facilities during the 1980s. In addition to its structure and program focus, it is the first tobacco free facility in the commonwealth.Facility MakeupSCI Chester is 13.77 Acres in size, with 9 Acres being inside the perimeter fence. There are a total of 10 buildings on campus, all but one is on the inside the fence. SCI Chester housing compliment contains 14 housing units, all containing cell-style housing.Facility Capacity and DempgraphicsAccording to the most recent capacity report, there is 1,260 inmates at SCI Chester, making the facility at 107% capacity, of its compliment of 1,018 beds, hence the facility is in excess capacity by 242. The average age of an inmate at SCI Chester is 38 and the prison employs 399 full-time staff.Inmate SupportsThere are several Supports at SCI Chester, including:Academic ProgramsBasic Education ClassesLiteracy/Basic SkillsAdult Basic EducationG.E.D. ClassesEnglish as a Second Language (E.S.L.)Inside-Out ProgramVocational ProgramsThe following vocational programs are offered to inmates at SCI Chester. Barber School Carpentry HVAC Program (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning)