Begin Main Content Area

 PA.Media.BreadCrumbs - MediaBreadCrumbs

Media > Corrections > Details

Adams Named SCI Mercer Superintendent

06/27/2018

Mercer, PA - Corrections Secretary John Wetzel recently appointed Melinda Adams, a 24-year corrections employee, as superintendent at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mercer.  The appointment was effective May 21, 2018.  Superintendent Adams has advanced through a variety of managerial positions in the DOC, gaining the knowledge and experience necessary to lead the Mercer facility. 
 
“Superintendent Adams has demonstrated first-hand what persistence, passion and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone can accomplish,” said Executive Deputy Secretary Shirley Moore Smeal. “She brings to the table all of the characteristics that are necessary to be an effective leader.”
 
Superintendent Adams began her career with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections at SCI Cambridge Springs in 1994 as a clerk typist and was promoted to laundry manager in 1998.  In 2006, she transferred to SCI Albion as the superintendent’s assistant.  She then promoted to major of unit management in 2014 and to deputy superintendent for centralized services in August 2015.  She then transferred to the position of deputy superintendent for facility management.  While at SCI Albion, Adams also held the positions of acting major of the guard and acting activities manager.
 
Adams was a member of the hostage negotiations team at SCI Cambridge Springs and attended fire emergency response team school when appointed to back-up the safety manager.  At SCI Cambridge Springs, Adams served as a staff trainer for Women Offenders in Pennsylvania Corrections and Fraternization, of which she was a member of the committee assigned to develop the training.  In addition, she served as a program committee member for the statewide Empowerment Symposium for 10 years and presented various workshops at local, regional and state symposiums.  She presented fraternization workshops at the PA Association on Probation, Parole and Corrections and the Juvenile Detention Centers Association of PA and at the PA Prison Wardens Association Conference.  Adams was a 2004 Department of Corrections Outstanding Performance Award recipient.
 
As superintendent of SCI Mercer, Adams is responsible for almost 500 employees and approximately 1,500 inmates.  Joining Superintendent Adams as part of the management team at SCI Mercer is Deputy Superintendent for Centralized Services Shane Dady, Deputy Superintendent for Facility Management William Woods and Corrections Classification and Program Manager Lisa Graves.
 
Superintendent Adams is married and has two daughters.  She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice.
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Shiock, 724-662-1837 x1002
 
# # #

 Content Editor

 PA.AgencyPortal.Media - MediaPageTitle