The PA Prisons and Parole Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 12: Year-End Review of Research Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

In this year-end episode, Dr. Bret Bucklen and producer Jeff Coleman sit down to review and discuss some of the research and evaluation accomplishments at the PA Department of Corrections during 2024. They discuss results from studies on topics such as inmate visitation, Intensive Parole Supervision caseloads, reentry relocation, and the in-prison Violence Reduction Initiative. … Continue reading "Episode 12: Year-End Review of Research"

SCI Spotlight: Greene and Laurel Highlands Nov 27, 2024

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Our podcast’s tour of DOC facilities is winding down with only a few left, but not before a chat with SCI Greene and SCI Laurel Highlands. This episode kicks off with a chat with Greene Superintendent Randy Evans and Deputy Superintendent for Centralized Services Mark Dialesandro. The duo share about Greene’s PA Correctional Garment Shop, … Continue reading "SCI Spotlight: Greene and Laurel Highlands"

Episode 11: Prison Violence (Bill Nicklow) Nov 20, 2024

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In this episode we speak with Bill Nicklow, deputy superintendent for facility security and special operations at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Bill talks with us about the practical side of efforts to reduce prison violence. He also shares highlights of his long and interesting career in the department. Bill provides context to the prison … Continue reading "Episode 11: Prison Violence (Bill Nicklow)"

Episode 10: Prison Violence (Dr. Nancy Rodriguez) Nov 04, 2024

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In this episode we speak with Dr. Nancy Rodriguez from the University of California-Irvine about a multi-state project that she and several of her colleagues have been conducting for the past five years to examine the causes and consequences of prison violence. As this project is now coming to a close, Dr. Rodriguez shares with … Continue reading "Episode 10: Prison Violence (Dr. Nancy Rodriguez)"

SCI Spotlight: Frackville and Mahanoy Oct 30, 2024

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Our podcast visits Schuylkill County this month as we shine a spotlight on SCI Frackville and SCI Mahanoy. This episode kicks off with Mahanoy Superintendent’s Assistant Jen Mahally sharing about her facility and its various programs, including how the Pennsylvania Correctional Industries warehouse provides job skills that can be invaluable to reentrants after release. Later … Continue reading "SCI Spotlight: Frackville and Mahanoy"

Episode 9: A Tribute to Mark Kleiman (Part 2) – SCF Supervision Oct 21, 2024

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In this episode we continue to remember the life and legacy of Mark Kleiman. We review perhaps his most important practical contribution to the field, what he called Swift, Certain, and Fair (SCF) Supervision. The principles of SCF Supervision were laid out in in his 2009 book, “When Brute Force Fails.” We discuss various ways … Continue reading "Episode 9: A Tribute to Mark Kleiman (Part 2) – SCF Supervision"

Episode 8: A Tribute to Mark Kleiman (Part 1) Oct 07, 2024

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Mark Kleiman was a special friend to the PA Department of Corrections, partnering with us on many initiatives over the years such as assisting in incorporating the principles of swift, certain, and fair (SCF) supervision into practice, in-prison violence reduction initiatives, and other evaluation and innovation efforts. This special episode is a tribute to the … Continue reading "Episode 8: A Tribute to Mark Kleiman (Part 1)"

SCI Spotlight: Forest and Mercer Sep 24, 2024

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Our year-long tour around the DOC continues as we learn about two rural facilities in western PA: SCI Forest and SCI Mercer. The episode kicks off with SCI Mercer Superintendent’s Assistant Nikki Franz discussing the facility’s history and unique features and programs—including its Veterans Service Unit, which recently became an official American Legion Post. Later … Continue reading "SCI Spotlight: Forest and Mercer"

Episode 7: PA DOC Corrections Innovation Day Sep 04, 2024

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On July 31, 2024, the PA DOC, along with Penn State University, hosted their first ever Corrections Innovation Day. The event brought PA DOC staff from various levels and types of positions together with a large group of academic partners in order to brainstorm around innovative and testable solutions to some of the department’s most … Continue reading "Episode 7: PA DOC Corrections Innovation Day"

SCI Spotlight: Fayette and Muncy Aug 28, 2024

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This month, the PA Prisons and Parole Podcast visits one of our most unique facilities and one of our newer facilities in SCI Muncy and SCI Fayette. SCI Muncy Deputy Superintendent for Centralized Services William Frantz kicks off the episode by discussing how the history of the facility impacts its current layout as well as … Continue reading "SCI Spotlight: Fayette and Muncy"