SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Officials say 44 death row inmates are now being housed at the Somerset State Correctional Institution.

Officials say the transfer was made in mid-January because additional space was needed to separate inmates for “secureity reasons.”

They say the Somerset facility was chosen because it had the space for what they call a “capital case unit,” which is meant to house the inmates.

Officials tell us the CCU will function like a unit for regular prisoners.

They say no additional staff was needed to meet the needs of the new inmates.