Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Corrections today
announced that Major Michael C. Gourley, who led record cost savings, safety
and security and efficiency improvements in the Bureau of Community Corrections
(BCC), is among the recipients of the Governor’s Awards of Excellence.
The
awards recognize commonwealth employees for exemplary job performance or
service that reflects initiative, leadership, innovation and increased
efficiency. Gourley is one of 47 state employees from 10 agencies to be honored
by Governor Tom Wolf.
Beginning
in 2016 and through 2017, Gourley focused his efforts on overtime reduction in
the Bureau of Community Corrections. As a result of Gourley’s efforts to
streamline processes, fill vacant security positions and centralize scheduling,
DOC was able to successfully reduce overtime costs by $500,000.
Gourley
also targeted training compliance and completion for all BCC staff, especially front-line
community corrections staff, leading to the highest rate of compliance yet
within the bureau.
In
the past year, Gourley also is credited with improving safety and security
measures in BCC facilities, including increased searches, improving
investigations and implementing new guidelines for the Management Operations
Center.
“When
you consider that more than 90 percent of all of those who are incarcerated
return to the community one day, successful reentry is a critical component to
corrections,” said Corrections Secretary John Wetzel. “Major Gourley’ s efforts
to improve so many aspects of community corrections, especially in the face of
the challenges presented by the opioid crisis, have been exemplary.”
In
addition, Gourley has overseen the elimination of the backlog in investigations
within community corrections, improved the State Intermediate Punishment program
by overseeing the implementation of the SIP-HOPE program, which aims at keeping
non-violent drug offenders from re-offending. He also has used his relationships
with local, state and federal law enforcement to respond to incidents and
worked with Pennsylvania State Police to apprehend absconders.
“Major
Gourley is one of the most highly competent and driven people I have ever had
the good fortune to work with,” said Daniel McIntyre, director of the Bureau of
Community Corrections. “He is always thinking outside the box to improve each
and every area he supervises within the Bureau of Community Corrections.”
Gourley,
a resident of Dauphin County, started his career as a corrections officer and
was promoted to lieutenant before moving to the Bureau of Community Corrections
with the rank of major. While working for the Board of Probation and Parole he
was named Agent of the Year for 2012.
MEDIA CONTACT: Susan McNaughton, 717-728-4025
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