Spotlight on SCI Albion’s NRTU

With Autism Awareness Month approaching in April, the PA Prisons and Parole Podcast welcomed SCI Albion Unit Manager Steven Soliwoda to discuss the Neurodevelopmental Residential Treatment Unit (NRTU), a unit designed for individuals on the autism spectrum. Soliwoda explains how his unit differs from a normal housing unit, why he’s grateful for his excellent team and why a unit like this is needed in helping individuals with autism.

For more on the unit, check out this video on the DOC Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3mTUSBT

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Opportunities through the Optical Lab

SCI Cambridge Springs features the Pennsylvania Correctional Industries Optical Lab, a one-of-a-kind program that produces all the eyeglasses in the DOC and for some community partners.

In this month’s episode of the podcast, Optical Lab Supervisor Tony Rentz visits to share about his shop, including the certifications and skills his workers earn and the success many of his former workers find in reentry.

For more on the lab, check out this video from 2022: https://www.facebook.com/CorrectionsPA/videos/392083205998340

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Second-Chance Hiring: A Win-Win for Everyone

As businesses across Pennsylvania struggle to find qualified employees, DOC Workforce Development Specialist Dorenda Hamarlund offers them a solution: hire reentrants. In this episode of our podcast, Hamarlund discusses her role and how she educates employers on the many benefits of second-chance hiring.

Visit our Workforce Development page for more information.

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Bureau of Community Corrections 101

We frequently promote the great volunteer work done by staff and reentrants in our Bureau of Community Corrections, but there is so much more to the BCC. Director Michael Wenerowicz joins the podcast to highlight the work of his staff and how they strive to support reentrants upon release.

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Serving Those Who Served: How the DOC Supports Veterans

DOC Statewide Veterans Coordinator Michael Carrington joins the podcast for a discussion all about veterans in the DOC — including those who work and those who live in our facilities. Michael discusses his role in the agency, how the DOC supports its employee veterans, the many benefits of a Veterans Service Unit and the impact of community partners, including the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

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