Brittain Named SCI Frackville Superintendent

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2016

Harrisburg, PA – Kathy Brittain, a 16-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, has been named superintendent of the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Frackville.

“Kathy is a bright leader with a perfect combination of education and experience to meet the challenges presented in the current corrections environment,” said Corrections Secretary John Wetzel.

Brittain began her Department of Corrections career in 2000 as a corrections counselor at SCI Dallas. In 2001 she was promoted to drug and alcohol treatment specialist supervisor and was tasked with opening a 46-bed alcohol and other drug therapeutic community (TC).

During her tenure as a drug and alcohol treatment specialist supervisor, she also served as an adjunct faculty instructor overseeing a five-day experiential therapeutic training program, as well as serving on several central office committees that produced the new standardized cognitive behavior-based programs used currently in the agency.

In 2006, Brittain was promoted to unit manager, where she supervised specialized blocks, including the special needs unit, a therapeutic community and two areas with special medical cases. In 2008 - 2009, she was the acting major for unit management.

Prior to leaving SCI Dallas, Brittain served as acting corrections classification and program manager (CCPM) before being promoted to a similar position at SCI Retreat in 2011.

In 2013, she was promoted to deputy superintendent for centralized services (DSCS) at Retreat.

Brittain earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Millersville University and master’s in social work from Marywood University. She is a Pennsylvania licensed social worker and was for 10 years an internationally certified addictions counselor. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Keystone College since 2008 where she teaches sociology and psychology courses.

Throughout her 23-year career in social work and in correctional settings, she has taken a particular interest in program development/delivery, staff training and working with the seriously mentally ill and multi-disciplinary team collaboration.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Newberry, PIO, 570-874-4516