Correctional Newsfront The official newsletter of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections 2018 News ~ January to March Week of March 26… SCI Mercer Celebrates Retirements Last week SCI Mercer celebrated the retirements of three long-time employees who had a combined total of over 70 years of DOC experience and over 50 years of military service. Employees celebrated with each of the retirees by enjoying cake and snacks and sharing many great memories from their years of service to the Commonwealth. Security Lieutenant Jimmy Arbogast began his 23-year DOC career at SCI Albion in June 1995. He then transferred to SCI Mercer in December 2008, was promoted to sergeant in December 2009, and lieutenant in September 2016. Lt. Arbogast retired from the Army National Guard as a Command Sergeant Major with 28 years. Arbogast is pictured with Capt. Jeffrey Wilson. Giuseppe “Joe” Perrotta, Adult Basic Education and ESL teacher, began his DOC career in 1994 as a part-time evening ESL teacher for three years. He was then hired as the full-time ESL instructor in 1997, retiring with 21 years in that position. Joe is also a US Navy veteran, having served three years. Perrotta is pictured with School Principal James Oppman. Registered Nurse Supervisor Patrick Quimby began his 23-year career with the DOC at SCI Mercer in March 1995. He also worked two years at the Torrance State Hospital. In addition, Pat served 20 years in the US Navy, retiring as Lieutenant Commander. Quimby is pictured with Deputy Supt. William Woods. These exemplary employees, who displayed professionalism and dedication to their positions, each will be truly missed. Congratulations and best wishes are extended to each retiree for a happy and healthy retirement. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ FAST Agents Recognized for Excellence On March 26, Fugitive Apprehension and Search Team (FAST) Agents Joseph McAleer and Geoffrey Long, along with all the members of the U.S. Marshal’s Western PA Fugitive Task Force, were recognized by the City of Pittsburgh Police Department for their continuous efforts in fighting violent crime within the city. The certificate said: “As a direct result of their hard work, Task Force members were able to conduct 205 felony arrests in relation to these investigations and on behalf of the Bureau of Police. During 2016, members of the Task Force continuously acted as an invaluable resource to the Bureau of Police and the citizens of the City of Pittsburgh. Members of the Task Force routinely assisted the Bureau of Police “above and beyond” their required duties. The nature of the duties conducted by Task Force members were often extremely dangerous and performed at great risk to their own personal safety. Their hard work, courage, professionalism and commitment to the Bureau of Police and the citizens of the City of Pittsburgh is appreciated. For their efforts, the members of the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force are being presented with a Recognition of Excellence Award.” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Cabinet In Your Community On March 26, Wolf administration cabinet officials were joined by community members for a Cabinet in Your Community event at the Community College of Philadelphia. This series of events gives community members the opportunity to talk with their state government officials and discuss issues important to the region. “Since the Cabinet in Your Community events began in November, they have been extremely valuable to communities across Pennsylvania and to my administration,” said Governor Wolf. “It is important that elected officials provide a platform for constituents to directly express their concerns and what they need from state government.” This event featured Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin, Department of Education Secretary Pedro Rivera, Department of General Services Secretary Curt Topper, Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel, and Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller. The department secretaries provided information on upcoming initiatives in Philadelphia and responded to questions from community members. The next Cabinet in Your Community event is currently scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, at the Lehigh Carbon Community College Tamaqua Campus. This event will be hosted by the cabinet secretaries of the departments of Education, Environmental Protection, Human Services, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Inmate Thanks Staff for Job Fair After attending a recent inmate Job Fair at SCI Waymart, an inmate sent the following note to the school principal: “Thank you again for adding my name to the Job Fair list, it was extremely informative. I have been incarcerated since the age of 19. I am 51 years of age. My Minimum date is May 2019. While attending the Job Fair, I had the opportunity to utilize “Virtual Reality” to visit area half-way houses. While the information was very helpful, I noticed that my anxiety decreased while using the virtual system. As you may understand, I have a great fear of social interactions up my release. Obviously, I’m used to a structured environment however, I’m very anxious about something as simple as walking down the street. I believe that using the virtual system could assist myself and other long- term inmates in reintegration back into society. Even using the system to show us amid a crowd could be helpful. Maybe this is something that could be added to the Reentry Service Office classes.” The principal said she would share the information with virtual reality administrators and wished the inmate the best of luck upon his release from prison. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Inmates Donate to Charity The Smithfield Inmate Organization (SIO) recently held a bake sale and is sending the profits of $1,133.90 to the “Make-a-Wish Foundation.” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Quehanna Boot Camp Annual Reentry Expo 2018 By Melissa Billotte, Superintendent’s Assistant The Quehanna Boot Camp held its Annual Reentry Expo on March 16, with 19 organizations represented. The following organizations participated: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Community Corrections Regions 2 and 3, PA Board of Probation and Parole, Family Support Alliance, Mobile Veterans Outreach Van, PA Department of Banking, Children’s Aid Society, AmeriHealth, Community Action, VA Social Worker, Vivitrol, South Hills School of Business & Technology, WIC, OSHA, Fiber Optics, Reentry Parole Agent, PA CareerLink, Federal VA Outreach Program and Impact Services. Each organization had their own station designated with a sign made by our inmates where they displayed literature and met with the inmates to discuss the services they offer. A big hit was the Bureau of Community Corrections table where they offered “virtual tours” of the centers. During the event, 283 male and female teammates in the Boot Camp program and 195 male and female State Intermediate Punishment program inmates were given information ranging from family services to educational opportunities to probation/parole. This annual event is part of Quehanna Boot Camp’s reentry initiative to assist reentrants with obtaining information that will be helpful upon their release. It is our belief that enlightened and fully-prepared individuals will be more successful with staying out of the prison system and obtaining gainful employment. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Child Abuse Prevention Month SCI Houtzdale staff chose to participate in the Child Abuse Prevention Month drive for PJs for Children and Youth. As an institution, we set a goal to collect 250 pairs of pajamas to be donated to the Office of Victim Advocate in supporting the CYS agencies across the Commonwealth. Staff not only achieved that goal but surpassed it by collecting 265 pairs. Employees were assisted in this endeavor by outside local organizations supporting our efforts as well. SCI Benner Township employees collected 150 pairs of brand new pajamas for OVA. These new pajamas will be distributed to Children and Youth Agencies across Pennsylvania. The pajamas will be provided to children that are being removed from their homes and placed into the foster care system. Pictured with donated pajamas is SCI Benner Township Social Worker B. Dunn. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Ensuring Medical Assistance Coverage The DOC is committed to ensuring inmates are afforded Medical Assistance when they are released from prison, and they are making this possible by beginning the application process no later than 15 days prior to the inmate’s projected release date. Prior to an individual’s release, and depending upon the type of release, either parole staff or records staff will begin the process by entering the inmate’s projected release date into the DOC’s inmate computer system. The institution’s medical staff reviews information that is received daily from the Department of Human Services and then uses that information to provide the inmate with his/her Medical Assistance Identification Number during his/her final visit to medical just prior to release from prison. This process ensures that every inmate will now have the coverage they need to continue their medical care or program treatment immediately upon release from prison – thus, eliminating one of the barriers to a successful reintegration. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Quarterbacks of Life On March 15, SCI Greene hosted a “Quarterbacks of Life” program in its chapel. Rocky Bleier and Rocco Scalzi spoke to the Quarter Back members from for an hour in the morning and to the “juvenile” lifers and inmate veterans for an hour in the afternoon. Rocky Bleier thanked all Vietnam veterans (staff and inmates) for their years of service. He also presented a lapel pin to staff and a certificate to inmate veterans. Staff was permitted to wear Steeler gear and attend the presentations. Learn more about this program at https://beatingtheodds.org/quarterbacks-of-life According to the website, “The Beating The Odds Foundation, has pooled together with a unique group of motivated individuals called the Quarterbacks of Life. These are men and women who chose to fight through incredible setbacks in life, and, in the end, won over adversity.