SCI Forest (FRS) — What the 87% Occupancy and December 2025 Numbers Actually Mean
Trying to make sense of SCI Forest's
The numbers below come from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections monthly population report dated As Of December 31, 2025. Using the same source month to month matters, because it’s the document the DOC uses to publish these counts in a consistent format.
As of December 31, 2025, SCI Forest (FRS) is listed with a total institution population of 2,246. The report lists Forest’s capacity as 2,582, and it shows an occupancy rate of 87.0% - meaning the population count is 87.0% of the reported capacity for that month.
That total of 2,246 is made up of a few different “where are they” categories in the same report: 2,230 people physically present at Forest, 1 person in the hospital, and 15 listed as on temporary absence. Together, those add up to the total institution population number for Forest.
One reason the “capacity” and “occupancy” figures can look different than older snapshots is a definition change. Effective December 2024, the Pennsylvania DOC changed how it defines capacity to include all possible available beds, including offline beds that are able for use, and also specialized beds. If you’re comparing today’s occupancy percentage to numbers from before that change, you may not be comparing the same kind of capacity figure.
The monthly population report is a count-based snapshot as of a specific date (here, December 31, 2025). For Forest, it doesn’t just give one number - it also shows how the total is composed, including how many people are physically present versus counted in the total while hospitalized or on temporary absence. That breakdown helps you understand why the “total” and the “physically present” number aren’t always identical.
Note: Forest’s 87.0% occupancy is a percentage of reported capacity, not a day-to-day description of conditions. If you’re trying to understand who is actually at the institution versus temporarily away, use the “physically present / hospital / temporary absence” breakdown alongside the occupancy percentage.
In the December 2025 report, SCI Forest’s population is steady month to month: 2,246 for the current month and 2,246 the month prior, a one‑month change of 0.
Looking at the longer view in the same report, Forest’s December 2025 population is down slightly from one year earlier. The report shows a one‑year change of -23, which it lists as -1.0% - a modest shift rather than a dramatic swing.
How Families Use Report
- ✓ Use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections monthly population report dated As Of December 31, 2025 as your baseline source for these figures.
- ✓ Find the SCI Forest entry (FRS) and record the institution population total (2,246 for this report date).
- ✓ Re-check the next monthly report when it’s released to see how the total changes over time.
These totals are useful for understanding the overall snapshot at Forest, but they won’t confirm where a specific person is on a given day. If you need confirmation about someone’s current status or location, your best bet is to contact the DOC or the facility directly and ask about that individual.
Find an Inmate at SCI Forest, PA
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
