HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania prison officials said Friday they will close two prisons this year, citing a declining inmate population, the need to save money and other factors.

The two will be chosen from a list of five prisons: Frackville, Mercer, Pittsburgh, Retreat and Waymart.

A decision will be announced Jan. 26. The two selected will close by the end of June. About 800 staff and several thousand inmates will be affected.

The prison population is just over 49,000, after reaching nearly 52,000 in 2012.

Space that recently became available at Camp Hill State Prison for 1,000 additional inmates contributed to the state’s decision to close two prisons.