New state corrections center opens in SE Pa.

WERNERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - February 10, 2009 The state Department of Corrections moved the first 25 offenders on Monday to the Wernersville Community Corrections Center on the grounds of Wernersville State Hospital. The center will eventually house 360 nonviolent male offenders.

Twenty employees have been hired so far, and 30 more will be added by the summer.

Some of the new center's residents will have completed their prison time; others will be nearly finished.

Residents will be kept under tight supervision and have to get jobs and pay rent.

All will be screened to weed out those likely to commit crimes again.

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