The PA Prisons and Parole Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 6: Risk & Needs Assessment, part 2 (Jason Stauffer ) Aug 20, 2024

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In the second part of this month’s series, we talk with Jason Stauffer, the PA DOC’s Supervisor of Assessment and Classification Services. Jason talks about his background in corrections and assessment, how the PA DOC uses risk and needs assessment, and specifically how the PA DOC uses their new Strong-R assessment instrument.

Episode 5: Risk & Needs Assessment, part 1 (Dr. Zach Hamilton, Sean Hosman, and Marjorie Rist) Aug 05, 2024

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In the first part of this month’s series, we talk with the team at Vant4ge, a company that produces a correctional risk/needs assessment tool called the Strong-R. We discuss what risk/needs assessment is, and also discuss its importance in the corrections field. The Vant4ge team talks about what new developments are happening in the risk/needs … Continue reading "Episode 5: Risk & Needs Assessment, part 1 (Dr. Zach Hamilton, Sean Hosman, and Marjorie Rist)"

SCI Spotlight: Dallas and Phoenix Jul 31, 2024

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As we cross the midpoint in our prison tour around the Commonwealth, we meet with the superintendents of two eastern facilities: SCI Dallas and SCI Phoenix. Dallas Supt. Jasen Bohinski discusses the unique programs at his facility—including the highly popular horticulture program—as well as the Veterans Service Unit, which was the first in the DOC. … Continue reading "SCI Spotlight: Dallas and Phoenix"

Episode 4: Desistance and Recidivism, Part 2 (Dr. Laurel Harry, Secretary of Corrections) Jul 15, 2024

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In this follow-up episode, we continue our discussion on the concept of “desistance” with a very special guest: Dr. Laurel Harry, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Sec. Harry talks about her career and about her interest in implementing desistance as a practical framework in the field of corrections.

Episode 3: Desistance and Recidivism, part 1 (Dr. Bret Bucklen) Jul 01, 2024

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In this episode we discuss the concept of “desistance,” an idea which has been around for a while in academic criminology but is only now beginning to catch on among corrections practitioners and policy-makers. Dr. Bucklen describes what desistance is, discusses how to define and measure it, and explains its practical use as a complimentary … Continue reading "Episode 3: Desistance and Recidivism, part 1 (Dr. Bret Bucklen)"

SCI Spotlight: Coal Township and Pine Grove Jun 26, 2024

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SCI Coal Township Supt. Tom McGinley kicks off this episode with a conversation about his facility. Later in the show, two of SCI Pine Grove’s original employees—Lt. Jason Townsend and Administrative Officer Jessica Purcell—join the PA Prisons and Parole Podcast to discuss the first 20 years of the facility, as well as its Young Adult … Continue reading "SCI Spotlight: Coal Township and Pine Grove"

Episode 2: How Research and Statistics Are Used at PA DOC (Mr. Chris Oppman and Dr. Lucas Malishchak) Jun 17, 2024

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In this episode we talk with two key leaders at the PA DOC, Deputy Secretary Chris Oppman and Deputy Secretary Lucas Malishchak, about how the areas under their purview within the department use research and statistics to make better decisions.

Episode 1: Why Have a Research & Statistics Office in Corrections? (Dr. Bret Bucklen) Jun 03, 2024

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In this first episode of the re-launched podcast we talk with Dr. Bret Bucklen (PA DOC Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics) about what his office does and what value it brings to the department. We explore the importance of research and evaluation in corrections.

SCI Spotlight: Chester and Quehanna Boot Camp May 28, 2024

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This month, the PA Prisons and Parole Podcast visits two of our most unique facilities: deep in the heart of a city with SCI Chester and out in the middle of rural PA with Quehanna Boot Camp. Our first guest is Maj. Scott Carter, who breaks down how QBC operates and the overall philosophy behind … Continue reading "SCI Spotlight: Chester and Quehanna Boot Camp"

SCI Spotlight: Camp Hill and Rockview Apr 24, 2024

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The PA Prisons and Parole Podcast tour around our facilities continues this month as we shine a spotlight on SCI Camp Hill and SCI Rockview. Drug and Alcohol Treatment Manager Bernie Comiskey shares about how Camp Hill serves as our classification center and what inmate family members should know about the process, before Superintendent’s Assistant … Continue reading "SCI Spotlight: Camp Hill and Rockview"

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