Among The Unknown | Exploring The Abandoned SCI Cresson Prison & Tuberculosis Hospital Episode 44

Before converted into a prison in the 1980s, this facility used to be a state hospital, which opened in 1916 and closed in 1964.

The land that it was built on, was donated by Andrew Carnegie.

The facility was used at first as a treatment center for tuberculosis patients as the mountain air was supposedly good for treatment.

The facility re-opened in 1987 as a State Correctional Institution and operated until 2013.

The institution was a medium-security, all male correctional facility.

Before closing in 2013, it is documented that 3 suicides occurred with 17 attempted.

One of the inmate's family, who died by hanging on June 16, 2012, filed a suit against the prison due to the violations that the SCI provided prisoners with inadequate mental health care, failed to protect them from harm, and placed them in isolation for long periods of time.

Another inmate, who was in solitary confinement, had written a letter to his father saying that five correctional officers had assaulted him, then filed false charges against him.

A prisoner in a neighboring cell recalls seeing guards kicking the inmate's cell door, calling him names and telling him to kill himself.

Another inmate, who reportedly asked repeatedly for and was denied mental health treatment, committed suicide inside the SCI.

In 2016, the SCI was bought for $600,000 by the highest bidder. He bought 328 acres of the former prison site as an investment.

In 2018, he appealed the county’s tax assessment of the property and in 2019, it was approved.

He argued in his appeal that demolishing the existing buildings on the site would come at a cost exceeding the property value.

With the approval, this puts the property’s assessed value at $300,000 and its market value at $1.39 million.

UPDATE: This facility is now turning into a hydroponic facility.

*Please take note of the sentences shown at the bottom of the video during scenes.*