Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Criminal Justice students from Slippery Rock University toured SCI Cambridge Springs on April 10. The students had the opportunity to speak with staff in the areas of Correctional Industries, security, unit management, treatment, and inmate services. They learned about some of the inmate programming opportunities, as well as some basics on daily life for inmates and operational practices. The group was one of the largest to ever tour the facility, and they were very attentive and respectful throughout the day.

Swing by our job fair for SCI Coal Township next week to meet with DOC recruiters and learn about the many benefits of a career in corrections! 📆 April 29 ⏰ 12-6 PM 📌 Bloomsburg CareerLink, 421 Central Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 For more details on a career in the DOC, swing by a fair or visit ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dAtd2cZZ

Throughout this semester, eight Elizabethtown College students and their professor, Dr. Kadee Crandall, visited the SCI Camp Hill Reentry Service Office weekly to educate incarcerated students about a wide variety of topics. This new collaboration between the school and the RSO—led by Reentry Parole Agent Hannah Shepley—gave the college students the opportunity to work with the incarcerated students about a variety of criminal justice-related topics—and it also gave the Etown students an opportunity to learn directly from the inmates who are part of the system. Topics included Repairing Relationships, Reducing Recidivism, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Options, and Connecting with the Community: Removing the “Criminal” Label. During a class on April 10, the Etown students led a recap of the program to learn what the SCI Camp Hill students liked about the program and what they’d like to see going forward. The inmate students also began working on vision boards that would highlight their goals and aspirations for their futures. The completed projects will be displayed at Elizabethtown College in the future. While the program wraps up soon, discussions are already underway for a second iteration in the future.

Congratulations to Lt. Brian Smith on being named Bureau of Community Corrections Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2025! Lt. Smith serves in the Management Operations Center where he is always willing to help any and all employees across all agencies and contract sites. He keeps a positive attitude—which is infectious among his peers. Thank you for your service and keep up the great work, Lt. Smith! #PADOCProud

SCI Greene’s Empowerment Committee hosted its second annual Spring Basket Raffle in conjunction with a Humane Society of Greene County donation drive. Employees could receive five raffle tickets for a donation to the Humane Society, as well as purchase even more tickets to try to win some great prizes. The funds raised will be used to buy gift cards for staff giveaways in the near future.

Last week, employees throughout the Department of Corrections supported our good friends in the Office of Victim Advocate and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by participating in the Color Me Aware campaign. Each day, employees were encouraged to dress up in the following colors: ⚪️ Monday: White for Gun Violence Awareness 🔵 Tuesday: Blue for DV, SA, and Stalking Awareness 🟡 Wednesday: Yellow for Child Abuse Awareness 🟢 Thursday: Green for Human Trafficking Awareness 🟠 Friday: Orange for Elder Abuse Awareness Check out these pics of DOC staff members supporting NCVRW across Pennsylvania including SCI Cambridge Springs, SCI Huntingdon, SCI Waymart and Central Office!

We currently have three openings for Corrections Utility Plant Operators to supervise inmates and maintain proper security while ensuring work is performed under safe operating procedures for boiler operations. If you have the knowledge and skills to help ensure the safe operation of an institution utility plan and want to receive great Commonwealth benefits, apply to join our team today!    SCI Forest ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eU4V9MyZ SCI Greene ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/een4RWh2 SCI Fayette ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eWUR9NUV

SCI Dallas recognized a pair of longtime employees who recently retired with a Department of Corrections flag. Mailroom Supervisor Giselle Malet retired after 25 years of service, and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist Supervisor Pam McDonald retired after 20. Thank you to both for your service and best of luck in retirement!

SCI Waymart celebrated two milestone retirements recently as Captain John Hidalgo and Captain James Lawler retired from DOC service. Captain Hidalgo served for 26 years at the Training Academy, Central Office, and SCIs Graterford, Forest, Pittsburgh, and Waymart. He began as a corrections officer trainee and retired as a shift commander. He was also a special projects manager and critical incident manager and served on the Hostage Negotiation Team. Captain Lawler served all 24 years at SCI Waymart. He also began as a corrections officer trainee and worked his way up to shift commander. Congratulations and thank you both for your years of service! 

At the request of SCI Muncy, the DOC Reentry Simulation Team hosted a pair of simulations last month for employees at the facility. More than 80 staff members participated between the two sessions, including from administration, education, parole, and psychology. It was a very successful event and received positive feedback from participants who simulated what reentrants can experience during their first month of reentry. Special thank you to our wonderful Reentry Simulation Team members who host these events year-round across Pennsylvania! #SecondChanceMonth #ReentryMatters