Pennsylvania Department of Corrections



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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2020

Corrections/Parole Officials Recognize Treatment, Reentry and Mental Health Professionals

 

Harrisburg, PA -- This week, Department of Corrections officials recognized employees who play a role in inmate transformation, rehabilitation, reentry and mental wellbeing – treatment staff, activities managers and specialists, inmate employment and vocational counselors and assistants, corrections counselors, social workers, community reentry parole agents, drug and alcohol treatment specialists, psychology staff, unit managers and classification and program managers.

 

“Ninety percent of our inmates will one day return home and knowing that is what drives us to help incarcerated individuals change their ways of thinking through evidence-based treatment programs, medication-assisted treatment and programs that help them transition home successfully,” Secretary John Wetzel said.

 

Wetzel said that these employees have continued their work during COVID-19 because inmates are still being released from the state prison system either on parole or after having completed their sentences (also known as “maxing out”). The DOC has several policies that govern treatment and reentry programs.

 

“COVID-19 has forced these employees to adapt their programs and also use smaller groups to avoid the spread of the virus,” Wetzel said. “In some cases, in-cell program delivery has been used.”

Employees were recognized this week in various ways, including recognition banners, letters, emails, cakes, cookies and pizza, facility newsletter articles, gift cards, handwritten thank-you notes, and specially designated parking spaces.

Activities staff and managers engage the inmate population in prosocial leisure time activities, by coordinating a variety of activities for inmates of all ages, physical capabilities and interests. Due to COVID-19, inmates are only allowed out of their cells in small groups, so larger events are not being scheduled, nor are motivational speakers or bands allowed inside our prisons.

 

Inmate employment staff coordinate inmate job assignments that help with the prison’s operations while providing positive reinforcement for inmates, helping them to develop good work habits that will aide them upon their release from prison.

 

Therapeutic activities and therapeutic recreational services workers are part of the treatment team that serves the inmate population with mental health needs. They recommend activities that are consistent with and support individual inmate wellness and recovery plans.

 

The DOC employs 38 social workers, who are a dedicated group of employees who concentrate on Medication-Assisted Treatment and connect individuals with doctors who may prescribe them life-saving medication. They also coordinate follow-up care and wrap-around services for individuals who are preparing to return to their communities following incarceration. Their important work not only increases an individual’s chances of sustained success upon return to the community, but may in fact save lives by reducing the possibility of relapse and overdose.

 

One hundred twenty-one drug and alcohol treatment specialists, supervisors and managers deliver the DOC’s substance use disorder treatment programs. Their goal is to reduce relapse and recidivism, to promote prosocial behavior and enable individuals to successfully reunite with their families and reintegrate back into their communities.

 

Corrections counselor staff, which include counselor supervisors, classification counselors, case managers, treatment specialists and reentry specialists -- manage an individual’s case from time of commitment to the DOC to the time of his/her release from prison. These nearly 460 employees are responsible for classification, assessment and correctional planning. They also are responsible for facilitating recidivism-reducing treatment programs. They also assist inmates as they begin the reentry process.

 

Unit managers enable correctional administrators to decentralize decision-making so that those having the most immediate knowledge of and contact with the inmates have the greatest influence on operations impacting them. Thanks to the nearly 170 DOC unit managers, communication and problem solving are enhanced.

 

Twenty-nine classification and program managers provide oversight of a significant number of prison-based areas/offices all working to prepare inmates for successful return home following incarceration. This is done by managing, coordinating and engaging inmates in a variety of services and programs.

 

A team of 20 dedicated professionals in the Division of Treatment Services at Central Office provide direction, training and administrative support of the staff in the facilities who work tirelessly to offer effective programs and services mentioned previously.

 

Preparing inmates for their release are Community Reentry Parole Agents (CRPAs). There are 21 CRPAs who work out of parole offices around the state. They meet with all reentrants when they are released from prison for an orientation to the community. During the orientation, reentrants get valuable information and referrals to aid them in their transition. For those reentrants with higher needs/risks, the CRPA will work with the reentrant to complete specific reentry documents and exercises and other group programs designed to address high risk/need areas.  

 

Seventeen reentry parole agents (RPAs) work out-of-state prison Transitional Housing Units or Reentry Services Offices, where they meet one-on-one with inmates to work on reentry plans and assist those that are getting ready to be released to the community. RPAs also facilitate workshops that are designed to give inmates the knowledge and skills to succeed once released. 

 

Nearly 200 institutional parole staff – parole supervisors, parole agents and institutional parole assistants (IPAs) – work in the prisons assisting inmates as they prepare to see the Parole Board, complete assessments and reentry plan with the inmate in preparation for their release. These agents and IPAs also play a large role in the parole violator process. 

Once released from prison nearly 40 employees – counselors and social workers – work in community corrections centers assisting reentrants with their successful transition from the SCI to the community. These employees often play an integral role in reentrants’ success by helping them to find employment, stable housing and assist with family reunification.

   

Thirty-three percent of state prison inmates require some form of mental health services during their incarceration, and eight percent of inmates are seriously mentally ill. Working to stabilize inmates is important for their wellbeing both in prison and upon release from prison. The use of group and individual programs and instruction is part of the DOC’s policy to assist such individuals. The DOC’s delivery of mental health services is outlined in its Access to Mental Health Care policy.

Between the facilities and central office, the DOC employs 282 individuals in the following psychology classifications: psychological service associates, forensic psychological service associates, psychological service specialists, corrections treatment services program administrator, quality assurance risk management coordinator, administrative officer 5, licensed psychologists, licensed psychologist managers, regional licensed psychologist managers and one director of psychology.

The DOC’s Psychology Office established its own annual award in 2019 that seeks nominations from staff. This year’s Dr. Lance Couturier Psychology Award recipient is Teresa Collins, who serves as a psychological services specialist at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Rockview. Collins was selected because she serves as the mental health coordinator, the chairperson of the psychiatric review team and suicide prevention committee. She also is a member of the critical incident stress management team and has been instrumental with leading the onboarding and orientation of new Psychology Department employees at SCI Rockview.

Next week, DOC officials will recognize records, commissary, human resources and business office employees.

MEDIA CONTACT: Susan McNaughton, smcnaughto@; Maria Bivens, mabivens@

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