Coding and Corrections: How The Last Mile Prepares Inmates for Careers in Computers

A successful reentry hinges on securing a job, so many of the reentry efforts in the Department of Corrections are focused on teaching incarcerated individuals useful job skills for when they get out. While many are in traditional trades, SCI Pine Grove began a new partnership with The Last Mile to teach inmates a unique yet highly valuable skill: computer coding.

In this episode, TLM Executive Director Kevin McCracken joins the show to discuss what his organization is, why it does what it does, and how teaching inmates coding prepares them for reentry success. From its roots in California to its new program at Pine Grove, TLM is a one-of-a-kind vocational program that is dedicated to reducing recidivism and helping reentrants thrive upon release—whether in coding or other fields.

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Episode 16: Staff Wellness (Kayla Franklin)

Staff wellness is an under-appreciated component of corrections historically.  The field is just now starting to pay more careful attention to this important topic, but how do we measure the effectiveness of staff wellness initiatives?  Outcomes in this area tend to be a bit more squishy than say recidivism rates or in-prison assault rates.  In this episode we speak with Kayla Franklin, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections recently hired Staff Wellness Coordinator. Kayla helps us understand what staff wellness looks like in corrections, and also how to think about evaluating and measuring success in this area.

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How DMVA Supports Veterans in the DOC

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, our guest for this month’s episode is Jennifer Spitler, regional program outreach coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Military Affairs. Jennifer shares about the variety of ways DMVA supports veterans in the DOC—which is the largest employer of veterans in Pennsylvania—including participating in veterans expos at DOC facilities or simply visiting with employees to provide valuable resources. Jennifer also shares about helpful resources for Pennsylvania veterans, and she suggests a few ways non-veterans can thank or show support for veterans in their lives.

Later in the episode, Jennifer also discusses how DMVA supports incarcerated veterans and how they help prepare them for a successful reentry.

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Respecting Victims While Preparing for Reentry

While a major focus of the Department of Corrections is preparing incarcerated individuals for reentry, victims of crime can never be overlooked. Fortunately, the DOC has a strong relationship with the Office of Victim Advocate! In this episode, Commonwealth Victim Advocate Suzanne Estrella joins the podcast to discuss the many ways her office works within the DOC to support victims while helping inmates come to terms with their actions.

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Episode 15: Cost-Benefit Analysis of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

In this episode, Dr. Bret Bucklen discusses a new report released by his team this month, which is a cost-benefit analysis of the use of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).  The study compares the benefit-to-cost ratio for four different types of MATs that are currently used by the PA Department of Corrections: Revia, Vivitrol, Suboxone, and Sublocade.  Revia (pill form) and Vivitrol (shot form) are referred to as “antagonist” MATs; Suboxone (pill form) and Sublocade (shot form) are referred to as “partial agonist” MATs.  How do the costs (including the potential cost of diversion in prison) and benefits (including recidivism reduction and overdose death reduction) stack up for these various forms of MAT?  This episode explains what MAT is, how it is used within the department, and the results from this new cost-benefit analysis study.

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