Showing the ravages of age and unable to keep pace with an ever expanding prison population, Carbon’s historic 130 year old prison closed its doors on January 23, 1995. A new corrections facility opened in the Borough of Nesquehoning just off of Route 93.

The new facility has a capacity of 174 beds and offers modern day classification by the prisoner’s crime and behavioral attitude. The use of maximum, medium, and minimum security units allows for the separation of habitual inmates from first time offenders.

Voluntary treatment programs include individual weekly counseling sessions by both Tri-County Drug Alcohol and Tri-County Mental Health/Mental Retardation, and group counseling by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Educational needs are satisfied through G.E.D. program offering both classes and tutoring and the development of computer training. Yoke Fellowship and the Prison Society provide inmates with a job skill and post-release program, as well as spiritual support.

An alternative work release program offers four inmates who qualify a chance to leave the prison and work at other County owned facilities for pay. This program is paid for by the Intermediate Punishment Act. In addition, inmates’ jobs have been established at the prison which provide payment for each hour worked.

Prison visitation programs allow children to visit. Contact visits are closely monitored. In a cooperative effort, a "good time" policy has been established which provides for up to five days credit against the prisoner’s minimum sentence for every thirty days of good behavior.

Beginning June 1998, Carbon County Prison entered into contract with INS to house criminal and non-criminal inmates.