Representative Chrissy Houlahan

Dear [firstname],

One year ago, our community heard the long-awaited “all clear” when authorities announced the capture of convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante, who had escaped from Chester Country Prison and terrorized our area for more than two weeks. In the aftermath, law enforcement, and prison authorities identified significant improvements needed at the prison — from safety and security upgrades to facility features, inmate services, and staff training—to prevent this from happening again. Today, just one year later, I am happy to report on the significant progress made to date.

Thanks in large part to funding from the federal American Rescue Plan, sometimes referred to as “ARPA,” which I voted for in 2021, Chester County Prison has invested more than $1.6 million in upgrades.

These included:

Designing and installing a new electronic perimeter security system
Upgrading camera equipment and fiber optic lines
Adding 18 cameras to provide 100 different angles of the prison roof
Installing new razor wire to the roof, fence lines, and recreation yards
Adding motion sensors connected to the prison control center
Installing enhanced body scanners and x-ray inspection systems
Investing in a new mail security scanner

Additional enhancements to prison security are in progress, including adding sound and movement sensors and microwave technology to enhance the perimeter intrusion detection system, installing programmable logic controllers for doors and gates inside the prison, and replacing the prison roof.

Local, county, and state law enforcement officials understood their responsibility to return our community to safety and have conducted the prison’s security enhancement process with speed and transparency. I applaud them for identifying, acknowledging, and advocating for the changes and improvements long needed at the Chester County Prison. Howard Holland, who was on his very first day as acting warden when Cavalcante escaped, is now the full-time warden. I am deeply grateful for his leadership throughout this year and his unwavering commitment to continued improvement. A special thank you to our Chester County Commissioners for their support of this project as well.

Without funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, these vital updates to the Chester County Prison would not have been possible. I am proud to have voted for this important legislation and the varied investments that it continues to provide our community including improved housing, education, food security, literacy, health care, and more.

Serving as our community's representative is the honor of my lifetime, and I hope to hear from you soon about any issue that concerns you.

As always, please contact my office if you need assistance.

Be well, and see you soon!

Chrissy Houlahan

U.S. Member of Congress

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