Harrisburg,
PA
– Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary John Wetzel
today announced the opening of Pennsylvania’s first housing unit dedicated
to female veterans. The women’s unit at SCI Muncy, designed to house up to 20
female veterans, is believed to be the first residential unit of its kind in
the nation.
“The DOC is proud of its efforts
building strong programs for veterans that encompass a wide-range of needs,”
said Corrections Secretary John Wetzel. “There are more women in the military
than ever before and it’s essential that we provide services to those who
served their country so that they return to the community as healthy and
productive citizens.”
Since the launch of its first dedicated
veterans’ unit in 2014, the DOC has worked to expand its housing units and
services for male inmates who served in the armed forces. There are currently
Veterans Service Units at five prisons and Veterans Services Offices at the remaining
20 facilities. The programs serve approximately 3,000 verified inmate veterans
who represent almost 7 percent of the 47,000 inmates in the DOC system.
The veterans’ units provide veteran-specific
programs, workshops and services that include mental health services, life skills,
substance abuse programs, education/vocational programs, home/employment plans,
reentry programming and assistance with securing federal veterans’ benefits and
services after release.
Beyond the services, the programs offer
veterans a chance to reestablish bonds they developed in the military and restore
their sense of pride and teamwork.
“No matter what branch of the armed
services these female veterans once served in, they all know the sense of
camaraderie, team work and sense of pride that comes with serving their
country,” said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and
head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “The
opportunity to reside in this Veteran Service Unit allows them to get back into
the ‘basic training’ mentality where they once thrived. There will also be
opportunities for them to take advantage of veteran-related programs and
services that will support their successful re-entry back into the community.”
In order to qualify for any of the veterans’
units, including Muncy, an inmate must be a verified veteran who is free of
misconducts for a year and generally within three years of release.
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Worden,
717-728-4026