HARRISBURG — The state Department of Corrections is planning to close Greensburg and Cresson state prisons in Western Pennsylvania and open a newly built facility near State College that has remained vacant since it was completed a year ago, lawmakers told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Corrections Secretary John Wetzel planned to make the announcement today, and a department spokesman declined to comment on the matter. Lawmakers were briefed on the plans Tuesday.

Sen. John Wozniak, D-Cambria, said a member of Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration told him that the move is being made to control costs at older prisons. Most prisoners will move to Benner State Prison, while employees at the Greensburg and Cresson prisons will be offered jobs at other state prisons within 50 miles, he said.

“I can understand the dating of building and structures, but my concern is for people and their families,” said Wozniak, whose district includes Cresson. “These are corrections officers. These people have families and high-stress jobs. I’d like to see these people taken care of.”

Sen. Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, said she would call for hearings on the move, which she criticized as lacking transparency.

The labor union that represents prison guards, the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, said it hadn’t been told about the plans.

“If this is the case, the PSCOA was not consulted and will look at all options,” union president Roy Pinto said.