The State Correctional Institution at Coal Township held its official dedication on April 26, 1993. The construction of SCI Coal Township was part of Governor Casey's Operation Jump Start Program. This construction and expansion program was launched in 1990 to address the prison overcrowding problem, to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. SCI Coal Township was one of five institutions constructed and financed through county or municipal authorities and one of five prototypical state prisons dedicated in 1993. The Northumberland County Authority was responsible to oversee the construction financing and to develop the lease with the option to buy for the Department of Corrections. There are over 1,800 prisoners in the facility at this time.

The facility is located at 1 Kelley Drive on the north edge of Shamokin. This photo was taken facing northeast.