Harrisburg, PA -- This week, Department of Corrections officials recognized employees who play the most important role in preparing inmates for reentry: institutional parole and reentry staff.
"With 90 percent of inmates returning to the community one day, it is critical for us to prepare them and set them up for a successful reentry," Secretary John Wetzel said. "We want them to be successful as much as they do, and that's why our institutional parole and reentry employees are so critical to achieving our mission of rehabilitation."
Preparing inmates for reentry was always a key component of the DOC's mission, and it became even more in the spotlight when Governor Tom Wolf announced a memorandum of understanding between the DOC and Pennsylvania Parole Board on Oct. 19, 2017. Through the MOU, parole field supervision moved under the DOC, which created more efficiency for both agencies and saved taxpayers money.
"One of our strategies for mitigating the pandemic in our facilities has been to work with the PA Parole Board to identify inmates who are eligible for parole," Wetzel said. "These employees help prepare inmates for their interviews with Parole Board members and, once granted parole, to provide them with reentry resources that help make their return home successful."
Employees are recognized in various ways including recognition banners, letters, emails, cakes, cookies and pizza, facility newsletter articles, gift cards, handwritten thank-you notes, and specially designated parking spaces.
The DOC employs six parole managers throughout the state to supervise reentry staff.
Among those staff are 21 community reentry parole agents who work out of parole offices and meet with reentrants when they're released for orientation in the community. They also provide reentrants with valuable information and referrals to aid them in the transition.
The DOC currently employs 17 institutional reentry parole agents (RPAs) who work within the SCIs in Reentry Services Offices and at Chester's Transitional Housing Unit. RPAs meet one-on-one with inmates to work on reentry plans and assist those preparing to be released. They also facilitate workshops designed to give inmates the knowledge and skills to succeed upon release.
Also within the SCIs are 27 parole supervisors, 134 parole agents and 34 institutional parole assistants. These employees assist inmates in preparing to see the Parole Board, as well as complete assessments and reentry plans. They also play a large role in the parole violator process.
"We don't want anybody returning to our system," Wetzel said. "The work done by institutional parole and reentry employees every day helps keep reentrants out in the community where they acquire permanent residences, obtain life-sustaining jobs and reunite with family and friends, all which lead to safer communities for everyone."
Next week, DOC officials will recognize teachers, cosmetologists/barbers, librarians/aides, activities staff and religious staff.