2026 ACA 156th Congress of Correction Pittsburgh_Program Book

CORRECTIONAL FACILITY/INSTITUTIONAL TOURS

Date: Saturday, Aug. 1 Pick Up Time: 10:45 a.m. Time of Tour: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Number of Participants: 25 Distance/Time: 10 minutes Distance/Miles: 14 miles Date: Saturday, Aug. 1 Pick Up Time: 12:45 p.m. Time of Tour: 1–2:30 p.m. Number of Participants: 25 Distance/Time: 10 minutes Distance/Miles: 14 miles

SCI Pittsburgh (Western State Penitentiary) SCI Pittsburgh, also known as Western State Penitentiary, operated from 1882 until its closure in 2017 as a maximum-security correctional facility with a total capacity of 1,803 inmates. The institution included several housing units, Correctional Industries operations, and a boiler plant, supporting its large and complex infrastructure. Over its long history, the facility experienced major riots in 1921, 1924, 1953, and 1987, reflecting periods of significant unrest. In 2022, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical significance. More recently, it served as a filming location for the series “Mayor of Kingston,” which concluded production there in November 2025. During the conference, the facility offers a 90-minute tour, providing visitors with a structured opportunity to explore its history and operations. Please note this tour does involve a lot of walking on uneven and graveled surfaces. There are also a significant amount of stairs to navigate. Please be aware of this when signing up for the tour.

EVENTS

SCI Mercer SCI Mercer, opened in 1978, is a correctional facility with a total capacity of 1,476 inmates. The institution includes a general population along with a variety of specialized units and services designed to meet diverse needs, including a Veterans Unit, Special Needs Unit, Senior Living Unit, and a Therapeutic Community. The facility also features a Correctional Industries garment factory and provides comprehensive medical services through a Tertiary Care Unit, as well as dialysis and physical therapy areas, supporting both

rehabilitative programming and ongoing healthcare needs within the population.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 1 Pick Up Time: 9 a.m.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 1 Pick Up Time: 8:15 a.m. Time of Tour: 9–10:30 a.m. Number of Participants: 25 Distance/Time: 10 minutes Distance/Miles: 14 miles

Time of Tour: 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Number of Participants: 26 Distance/Time: 51 Minutes Distance/Miles: 60 miles

66 — ACA 156 th Congress of Correction | Pittsburgh