The official Twitter account for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

Joined September 2009
Pittsburgh CCC employees and reentrants volunteered at the @PghFoodBank during the Hunger Action Month on Sept. 28. The team also held a 9/11 Week of Service Food Drive benefiting the food bank, as well as the Westmoreland County Community Food Bank.
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Check out this new mural installed in the Harrisburg District Office conference room painted by incarcerated artists at SCI Fayette! The mural team at Fayette has partnered with the Bureau of Reentry Coordination to provide murals for meeting rooms used in district offices throughout Pennsylvania. The murals provide a unique and welcoming approach to the locations, especially in rooms where reentrants participate in groups and meetings. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive as this initiative continues to expand. 🎨
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SCI Albion began the BARK (Building Accountability and Reliability with K9s) #PrisonPups program in partnership with the ANNA Shelter on Dec. 1, 2025. During that short time, 16 rescue dogs have been trained in obedience and adopted to their forever homes. One of the pups still waiting for her family is Leah, this sweet Anatolian Shepherd mix! For more information on Leah or other members of the Albion pack, check out ANNA BARK Program SCI Albion. 🐾
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SCI Dallas hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Sept. 30 to recognize the dedicated individuals who support the institution and incarcerated individuals. At the event, John Duffy was honored as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year. The luncheon was attended by 33 volunteers, 22 incarcerated individuals, and approximately 20 staff members, including chaplains. Duffy served as a drug and alcohol treatment specialist at Dallas for 14 years before transitioning to a volunteer role immediately upon his retirement in 2022. He has continued supporting individuals on their journey toward recovery and personal growth by leading and participating in a 12-step recovery group twice each month. The group regularly brings together 15 to 20 incarcerated individuals who are committed to personal growth, accountability, and recovery. Through open discussion, encouragement, and shared experiences, Duffy helps participants recognize that meaningful and lasting change is possible. His calm presence, compassionate approach, and willingness to listen have earned him the respect and appreciation of both participants and staff members. Dallas Volunteer Coordinator Bishop Dr. McKing also highlighted that Duffy's commitment extends beyond his own volunteer service. Recognizing the importance of peer support, Duffy successfully recruited two additional volunteers to join the recovery community at SCI Dallas. Their involvement has further expanded opportunities for individuals in custody to receive encouragement, guidance, and support throughout their recovery journeys. Duffy attended the luncheon with his wife, Kimberly Duffy, where he received the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award from Dallas Superintendent Jasen Bohinski. The presentation took place in the presence of fellow volunteers representing several departments throughout the facility, as well as many familiar faces from Duffy's years of service as a member of the Dallas staff.
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The SCI Mercer Honor Guard participated in the annual Military Appreciation Game hosted by the Hickory High School varsity soccer team on Oct. 1. Each season, the team takes time to honor veterans during a special pregame ceremony, and this year, the Mercer Honor Guard was proud to participate and recognize those who have served our country. Representing the Mercer Honor Guard: Lt. Roolf, Sgt. Jamison, Sgt. Polaski, CO Clark, CO Hamilton, and CO Castro.
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SCI Greene's Empowerment Committee hosted a Nacho Bar in the Staff Dining Room on Sept. 16. Deputy Supt. Maureen Malanoski and Western Region Staff Assistant Sara Dillard served nachos and cheese, with extra toppings available at the salad bar. The event was funded by the committee's fundraising efforts, which allow it to give back to staff members.
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The SCI Dallas Activities Department recently hosted a CPR training class for inmates, teaching a life-saving skill that can make a difference in an emergency. Participants learned hands-on techniques and worked toward their certification. Since the Activities Department started the program, 237 inmates have been certified in CPR.
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Deputy Director Rob Fassinger and members of the Greater Washington Supervision Unit were proud to represent the PADOC at Heroes and Helpers Night at the Park at Wana B Park in Carmichael, PA. The event celebrated heroes and helpers who strengthen the community and featured activities, entertainment, and resources from local public safety organizations in Greene County. During the event, Fassinger and parole agents Sunni Powell and Mark Jenkins engaged with attendees demonstrating the strong relationships they have developed with other reentry, corrections, and law enforcement professionals.
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SCI Dallas held its annual Out of the Darkness Walk and ribbon fundraiser on Sept. 25 with 95 incarcerated individuals participating to benefit the @afspnational during National Suicide Prevention Month. Participants walked and ran a combined 745 laps, sponsored by Dallas inmate organizations at 50 cents each. The fundraiser was also offered prison-wide, and for a donation of $1 or more, individuals could purchase a personalized ribbon in memory of a loved one or in support of the cause. A total of 97 ribbons were sold and are now on display in the facility's main corridor. Through the walk and ribbon sale, SCI Dallas raised $1,737.50 for AFSP.
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SCI Chester Activities Specialist Feese recently delivered a donation of fresh vegetables grown in the facility’s Hydroponic Garden to the Wesley House Emergency Shelter, a local family and women's shelter. Started in Jan. 2026 in partnership with Widener University, the program gives incarcerated individuals hands-on training in sustainable agriculture, from seed cultivation to nutrient management, using soil-free hydroponic systems. A nutrition course teaches them how to use what they grow. The program builds responsibility, teamwork, and environmental awareness, along with skills that can lead to future work in agriculture, horticulture, or food service.
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Swing by the upcoming SCI Huntingdon Job Fair and chat with PADOC recruiters about exciting career opportunities in corrections. 📆 Oct. 27 ⏰ 12-6 PM 📍 1100 Pike St, Huntingdon, PA 16654 Stop in, ask questions, and see what a career in corrections is all about ⤵ pa.gov/agencies/employment/c…
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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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