Category: PA Prisons and Parole Podcast

Our year-long trip around Pennsylvania comes to a close as we wrap up this series focusing on each of our prisons with a visit to SCI Houtzdale and SCI Huntingdon.

The episode begins with Huntingdon Supt. John Rivello discussing the oldest facility in Pennsylvania, including its many vocation opportunities and its relationship with the community as its literally in the heart of town. Later in the episode, Houtzdale Supt. David Close discusses his facility’s Veterans Service Unit, the commissary program, and what life is really like inside the walls for incarcerated individuals.

While this series comes to a close, there’s plenty more on the way from the PA Prisons and Parole Podcast, so stay tuned!

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Our podcast’s tour of DOC facilities is winding down with only a few left, but not before a chat with SCI Greene and SCI Laurel Highlands.

This episode kicks off with a chat with Greene Superintendent Randy Evans and Deputy Superintendent for Centralized Services Mark Dialesandro. The duo share about Greene’s PA Correctional Garment Shop, its unique vocational programs, and its culture among staff and with the community.

Later in the show, Laurel Highlands Facilities Maintenance Manager Michael Kubek discusses his prison, including its unique role in caring for elderly inmates and inmates needing intensive medical support.

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Our podcast visits Schuylkill County this month as we shine a spotlight on SCI Frackville and SCI Mahanoy. This episode kicks off with Mahanoy Superintendent’s Assistant Jen Mahally sharing about her facility and its various programs, including how the Pennsylvania Correctional Industries warehouse provides job skills that can be invaluable to reentrants after release. Later in the show, Frackville Superintendent Kathy Brittain and Superintendent’s Assistant Beth Lazusky discuss their facility’s programs for inmates, including its laundry program, and their excitement for the upcoming annual graduation ceremony.

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Our year-long tour around the DOC continues as we learn about two rural facilities in western PA: SCI Forest and SCI Mercer. The episode kicks off with SCI Mercer Superintendent’s Assistant Nikki Franz discussing the facility’s history and unique features and programs—including its Veterans Service Unit, which recently became an official American Legion Post. Later in the show, SCI Forest Major Jennifer Alexander shares about the facility’s Vehicle Restoration Plant and other vocational opportunities for inmates, as well as the staff culture and relationship between the facility and community.

Video on the PA Correctional Industries Vehicle Restoration Plant at SCI Forest: https://www.facebook.com/CorrectionsPA/videos/333013635666455

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This month, the PA Prisons and Parole Podcast visits one of our most unique facilities and one of our newer facilities in SCI Muncy and SCI Fayette.

SCI Muncy Deputy Superintendent for Centralized Services William Frantz kicks off the episode by discussing how the history of the facility impacts its current layout as well as the main vocational opportunities available to its incarcerated population. Later in the show, SCI Fayette Superintendent Tina Walker joins to discuss the first 20 years of Fayette. She also discusses the PA Correctional License Plate Factory and the reaction among its workers about Pennsylvania’s new plates.

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