The PA Prisons and Parole Podcast

This episode kicks off a series exploring Pennsylvania state correctional institutions, featuring interviews with staff at SEI Albion and SEI Waymart to discuss their unique histories and operations.

This episode discusses the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals in finding employment, focusing on employer biases and practical barriers like transportation.

This episode explores staff wellness in corrections with Kayla Franklin, discussing its importance beyond just being a nice-to-have and how it impacts recruitment, retention, and departmental goals.

This episode discusses how the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) supports veterans, particularly those in the Department of Corrections, through benefits administration and outreach initiatives.

This episode explores The Last Mile's coding training program for inmates nearing release, discussing how it prepares them for technology careers to support successful reentry into society.

This episode explores how Pennsylvania's Office of Victim Advocate supports crime survivors while discussing the intersection with prison reentry processes.

This episode features an interview with Randy Brandt, Chief of Staff at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, discussing the development and implementation of a new five-year strategic plan for the department.

This episode examines the rigorous evaluation of in-prison college programs through a randomized control trial in Pennsylvania, discussing evidence versus assumptions about recidivism reduction.

This episode explores what it truly means for corrections programs to be evidence-based, examining the strength of evidence and cost-effectiveness beyond just good intentions.

This episode discusses the evaluation of a personal growth program for technical parole violators in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and features an interview with Dr.

This episode provides guidelines for visiting incarcerated individuals in Pennsylvania state prisons, featuring Sergeant Lopez explaining visitation procedures at SEI Camp Hill.

This episode revisits three past evaluations from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, focusing on therapeutic community drug treatment programs, the SIP HOPE initiative, and residential relocation efforts, discussing findings and their current relevance.

This episode explains the initial reception process for inmates entering the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections at SEI Camp Hill, focusing on what happens during their first day and how it affects their families.

This episode features an interview with Captain John Evans about the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections' working dogs program, focusing on how these canines are trained to detect narcotics and keep prison facilities safe.

This episode explores the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), a data-driven approach to improving public safety and reducing criminal justice spending, through a conversation with Jim Stover, the JRI coordinator at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

This episode concludes a tour of Pennsylvania's prison system with interviews featuring superintendents from SEI Huntingdon and SEI Houtzdale, focusing on the history and unique aspects of these facilities.

This episode features interviews with officials from Pennsylvania's state correctional institutions Camp Hill and Rockview, discussing their roles, history, and operations within the Department of Corrections.

This episode explores the history of Pennsylvania's state correctional institutions, focusing on SCI Cambridge Springs' evolution from a hotel to a women's prison and SCI Smithfield's role as a reception facility during COVID-19.

This episode features interviews with staff from SEI Somerset and SEI Benner Township, focusing on Somerset's commercial laundry operations that serve multiple state and private institutions.

This episode features an interview with Principal Alan Berkheimer about educational and vocational programs for incarcerated individuals in Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections.

This episode features an interview with Magic Mike Chapa, a magician and resident at the Wernersville Community Correction Center, discussing his journey, how he got his nickname, and his role in reentry programs.

This episode discusses how the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections helps formerly incarcerated individuals find housing through community correction centers and assistance programs to support successful reentry and reduce recidivism.

This episode explores the various sports, leisure, and creative activities offered in Pennsylvania correctional institutions to engage inmates positively and prepare them for re-entry.

This episode features an interview with Jane Thompson and Andrea Zittlau, who discuss their volunteer work conducting creative writing seminars for incarcerated individuals in Pennsylvania prisons.

This episode discusses a groundbreaking cost-benefit analysis study on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction among inmates in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, comparing four different MAT types to determine the best return on investment.

This episode discusses the STRIVE program, a transitional initiative for reentrants in Pennsylvania that coordinates community support through public-private partnerships and reentry simulations.

This episode features an interview with Becky McDickin from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities about teaching financial literacy to incarcerated individuals and consumer protection against scams.

This episode discusses Pennsylvania's new Recidivism and Desistance Initiative (RDI), a data-driven performance management system modeled after Comstat to reduce recidivism in corrections.

This episode features Kurt Danish, who spent 23 years incarcerated in Pennsylvania and now helps others reenter society.

This episode of The PA Prisons and Parole Podcast features an interview with Stephen Salawata, manager of the Neurodevelopmental Residential Treatment Unit at SCI Albion, discussing its creation to support inmates with autism and intellectual disabilities.

This episode explores the Pennsylvania Correctional Industries Optical Lab at SCI Cambridge Springs, where inmates receive four months of optics education and hands-on training to produce eyewear while gaining career skills for reentry.

Dorinda Hammerlin says second-chance hires often become "some of the most dedicated, hardworking employees."

Mike Wienerowitz says the Bureau of Community Corrections has "nine state centers" and "over 24 contracted sites," including halfway back housing.

William Bush says one student went from never working on a car to earning a state inspection license and tutoring others.

Captain Dennis Reichert says DOC staff can retire at 55 with a 2.5% pension rate.

SCI Waymart runs classroom-style schooling, then layers in tutoring, library access, and RHU teaching.