The official Twitter account for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

Joined September 2009
SCI Greene's Parole Office and Education Department hosted a Network for Success event on Oct. 7 to connect soon-to-be-released incarcerated individuals with employers and other resource providers. Attendees received information on jobs, reentry services, veterans benefits, and much more. At the event, unit managers provided lessons on how to tie a tie, and inmates were given pocket-sized cheat sheets with photo instructions on how it’s done. They were also able to participate in mock interviews and listen to a discussion on the importance of dressing for success for job interviews.
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The Chester District Office hosted a wellness event organized by Agent Melissa Nelson that featured a variety of local partners and resources, including the YMCA's Fit Truck offering workouts to employees. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health also attended and gave employees the opportunity to check their blood pressure as well as other partners who offered valuable information about overall physical wellness.
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The Department of Corrections recently reached an exciting milestone with the completion of the first Cognitive Behavioral Interventions-Interpersonal Violence (CBI-IPV) training on Sept. 22-25 facilitated by two of our newly certified DOC instructors: SCI Forest Treatment Specialist Steven Darr and SCI Cambridge Springs Treatment Specialist Carolyn Dempsey. Darr and Dempsey are among six DOC employees who became certified through the @uofcincy to train CBI-IPV, expanding our ability to provide this important training using our own certified instructors. CBI-IPV aims to reduce negative behavior by addressing the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors of individuals. This first class represents more than the completion of another training—it marks the beginning of our newly certified instructors putting their training into practice and helping build the Department’s internal capacity to deliver CBI-IPV. Congratulations to Mr. Darr and Ms. Dempsey on successfully facilitating their first class and to all six newly certified instructors on this important milestone for the Department! Pictured are the trainers and the staff members who successfully completed the recent training at the DOC Training Academy. Their participation, commitment, and willingness to develop these skills are essential to the successful implementation of CBI-IPV and to delivering quality, evidence-based programming within their institutions. De'Andra Walker, treatment program administrator with the Bureau of Treatment Services and CBI-IPV program coordinator, provides statewide coordination and oversight of the program, supporting the training, implementation, and continued development of CBI-IPV throughout the DOC.
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The DOC Bureau of Treatment Services hosted a statewide Volunteer Banquet at the DOC Training Academy on Oct. 7 to recognize and honor 24 volunteers who serve inside our facilities. PADOC Secretary Dr. Laurel Harry gave the keynote address where she thanked the volunteers for giving of their time and energy to support staff members and incarcerated individuals in a variety of programming. Volunteers came from each of our SCIs as well as from Pittsburgh CCC and from the @PAVictimsOffice Honored volunteers and their family members enjoyed a special lunch before receiving their awards and a proclamation from Gov. Josh Shapiro. View full album on Facebook ⤵️ facebook.com/media/set/?set=…
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Bureau of Treatment Services Chief Angela Grannas and Program Manager Jaime Rauch celebrated National Recovery Month by providing Central Office with Philly-style pretzels as a reminder that people in recovery are “knot alone.” The BTS team wanted to people to know that there are numerous resources and a supportive community to help in the journey from addiction to recovery. The BTS team also offered staff members drug and alcohol educational reference sheets, Narcan, and coloring pages for stress management.
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SCI Waymart hosted its Network for Success Fair on Sept. 23, connecting 266 participants with nearly 50 presenters offering employment, medical, housing, post-secondary education, financial, and veterans services. Agencies included PA CareerLink, the PA Department of Transportation, and more. Participants left with the information, contacts, and confidence to help them secure housing, employment, and support services as they prepare for successful reentry.
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Congratulations to the incarcerated students who were recognized at SCI Benner Township's graduation ceremony on Sept. 23! Academic graduates were honored for earning their Commonwealth Secondary Diploma or their GED, while Career and Technology Education (CTE) students were honored for completing hundreds of hours of training and earning certifications in Electricity and Custodial Maintenance. Special guest speaker Nick Freed of Inside-Out Cookie addressed the graduates, sharing how he learned to bake while incarcerated and went on to build a baking company that now positively impacts his community.
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Congratulations to Institutional Parole Supervisor Rachel Ashbaugh of SCI Forest on being recognized as the Division of Institutional Parole's Employee of the 2nd Quarter of 2026! Ashbaugh was nominated for her knowledge of policy and procedures, as well as her reliability and her efficient, methodical approach to supervising her office. She works well with her entire team at Forest and has built a positive work environment by motivating and encouraging her staff. For several months earlier year, Ashbaugh’s office operated with three fewer agents and one institutional parole agent. She completed her supervisory duties while also taking on part of the agents' workload, so that every individual was seen in their docket month and released in a timely manner. Thank you for your service, Supervisor Ashbaugh—we are proud to have you on our team!
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The DOC Training Academy hosted its annual Car, Truck and Bike Show to raise money for the State Employee Combined Appeal (SECA) last month in Elizabethtown. Attendees and show participants enjoyed a great event and raised more than $1,195 for SECA! The winner of Best in Show was a 1968 Charger owned by Tim Conrad, followed by a 1955 Ford Custom owned by Kay Grussunkle and a 1975 Dart Swinger owned by Day Fry in third. Thanks to CBS21 Meteorologist Tom Russell for serving as the awards emcee! View full album on Facebook ⤵️ facebook.com/media/set?vanit…
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Swing by the upcoming SCI Houtzdale Job Fair and chat with PADOC recruiters about exciting career opportunities in corrections. 📆 Oct. 20 ⏰ 12-6 PM 📍 209 Institution Drive, Houtzdale, PA 16698 Stop in, ask questions, and see what a career in corrections is all about ⤵ pa.gov/agencies/employment/c…
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Greensburg Sub Office Agents Dylan Ramsier, Justin DePalma, Darek Eberhart, and Trent Sellers represented DOC Parole Field Services at a Recovery Walk on Sept. 24, hosted by the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission at Yough River Park in Connellsville. The agents are pictured with Semp, a black lab belonging to FCDAC Case Management Supervisor Joyce Kurnot.
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SCI Albion recently held its annual Volunteer Banquet, where Randy and Lucy Dehn were named the facility’s 2026 Volunteers of the Year. The Dehns support incarcerated individuals through Kairos Prison Ministry and by facilitating faith-based programs at Albion. They lead weekly gatherings, helped establish classes focused on biblical study and personal growth, and encourage others to get involved in volunteer service. Congratulations to Randy and Lucy Dehn on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your continued dedication to the PADOC!
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SCI Smithfield recently completed an intensive training, preparing incarcerated individuals to become Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS). The certification equips them to provide peer-based recovery support both inside the facility and after their return home. Graduates gain skills to encourage positive decision-making, support long-term recovery, and help others find purpose. This helps reduce the likelihood of returning to substance use and of recidivism overall. Trainer Kat Fieser of Envision Hope said: "Peer-based recovery support provides a needed service, especially within the Department of Corrections. This certification will go beyond the walls, as they can apply these same skills once they are home."
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SCI Muncy hosted a special legislative forum last week focused on the impact of trauma. Through five emotional panels, long-term incarcerated individuals, their family members, and reentrants shared about the lasting effect of trauma in their lives. Panels included: Youthful Offenders; Emerging Adults; Sentencing & Disparity; Separation of Family; and Reunification of Family. Pennsylvania Representatives Nikki Rivera, Darisha Parker, Gina Curry, and Jamie Flick attended the event in the Muncy chapel to hear directly from and engage with the incarcerated speakers and their loved ones.
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Swing by the upcoming SCI Coal Township Job Fair and chat with PADOC recruiters about exciting career opportunities in corrections. 📆 Oct. 14 ⏰12-6 PM 📍1 Kelley Drive, Coal Township, PA 17866 Stop in, ask questions, and see what a career in corrections is all about ⤵ pa.gov/agencies/employment/c…
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SCI Waymart employees once again showed their generosity in supporting VIP (Victims Intervention Program) through a flower sale. The latest event raised $420 through the sale of chrysanthemums, kale, and asters. The donation helps provide counseling and support services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault crimes in Wayne and Pike Counties.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at SCI Huntingdon for its new Diesel Mechanic Shop yesterday. The new Pennsylvania Correctional Industries shop will prepare workers for several industry-recognized license and certifications. The shop will also enhance PCI’s ability to provide services to our friends in @PennDOTNews and other local entities while saving taxpayer dollars. Full release ⤵ pa.gov/agencies/cor/about-us…
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The SCI Dallas Golf Committee recently presented a check for more than $4,000 to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge. The committee has now raised more than $12,000 for local nonprofits through its annual golf tournament over the past four years. 📸 Superintendent Jasen Bohinski, Blue Chip representative Cordie Braun, and committee chairpersons Dr. Sue Robachefski and Jerry Blazick Jr.
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Beginning in June, Pittsburgh CCC hosted a series of events for reentrants focused on wellness and personal care, bringing in community partners to support their growth and well-being. Guests included representatives from We the People 412, Maddie's GEMS, Dollar Bank, and Allies for Health+Wellbeing. The facility also hosted Reagan's Journey founder Kimberly Neal in September to share how her organization was formed and about living with and caring for someone with a disability. Pittsburgh CCC collected and donated diapers to support Reagan's Journey.
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