Happy Howl-o-ween from the #PrisonPups!
The pups from SCI Muncy participated in a fall fundraiser with program partner Canine Partners for Life. Incarcerated individuals were able to purchase candy and get their photo taken with the dogs, who were dressed up for Halloween. The funds help the program provide food, treats, toys, and training and grooming tools for the dogs.
📸: Cindy, Tom, Barrett and Buggy 🐾🎃
SCI Albion’s BARK Program recently had three #PrisonPups earn their AKC Canine Good Citizen certification!
Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test sponsored by the American Kennel Club. It teaches good behavior to the dog and responsible ownership to the handler. These pups completed the program offered through the ANNA Shelter and passed with flying colors.
Congrats to the graduates: Chloe, Zeus, and Leah!🐾
Congratulations to SCI Huntingdon on winning Best Float at the annual Huntingdon Halloween parade!
This impressive float was a group effort by Huntingdon employees with some support from incarcerated students in the facility’s Carpentry School. The Honor Guard also helped decorate, donated candy, and marched in the parade.
BCC Region 2 held a special trick-or-treat event for all PADOC and Office of Victim Advocate employees at the Riverside Office Complex in Harrisburg. The office was decorated with a creepy clown, dolls, cobwebs, spiders, and more, and staff members dressed up and passed out candy.
This fun event was a great way to boost employee morale and wellness while celebrating the spooky season!
Congratulations to the 80 graduates recognized at the SCI Mercer graduation ceremony on Oct. 14!
Students were honored for earning their Commonwealth Secondary Diploma or GED for the 2025-2026 school year, as well as certifications in: Automotive Mechanics/Technology; Business Education; Building Trades; and Custodial Maintenance and Repair.
The theme was “Make Every Day a Success... Attitude Makes the Difference.” More than 60 family members from all over Pennsylvania attended the graduation alongside Mercer employees. 🎓
SCI Greene’s Empowerment Committee sponsored a chili cook-off on Oct. 13 for some friendly competition among the facility’s employees. Nine staff members participated and made their favorite chilis and submitted them anonymously, each identified only by a number. Fellow staff members sampled all nine, enjoyed cornbread and toppings, and voted for their favorites. It was a great turnout!
Congratulations to RNS Rick Frazer (first place), Supt. Randy Evans (second), and Unit Manager Chay Lahew (third) on winning the competition.
While they may not learn basic commands or how to assist a person with a disability like their canine counterparts, we are just as proud of the cool cats in our cat programs, who live on specific units at SCI Waymart and SCI Chester while they wait to be adopted through local rescues. 🐾🐱
The DOC Culinary Academy hosted Restaurant Day earlier this month to close out the recent cohort of the class, giving the students real-world experience at working in a restaurant. A room in the DOC Training Academy was turned into a fancy eatery with members of the DOC leadership team and administrative personnel from the sending institutions volunteering to be customers for the event.
The students created a menu, waited tables, cooked every order from scratch, and serve the customers. They take special orders and must make changes on the fly—just like at a real restaurant. The menu included French onion soup, prime rib with au jus, chicken saltimbocca, and brandied apple crepes filled with cinnamon cream.
This fun and tasty simulation is held the week before each class graduates to help students put together everything they’ve learned and experience what it would be like working in the culinary arts on the outside.
Graduates of the Culinary Academy earn their @ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.
SCI Houtzdale received thank you notes and letters of appreciation from this year’s Community Work Program’s (CWP) qualified organizations. The recipients of the CWP’s work were so grateful and impressed with the work that they wrote letters and created this poster specifically to thank the incarcerated workers who helped them out.
The poster was made by the Allegheny Spay and Neuter Clinic, and letters were submitted by the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Houtzdale Historic Society, Patton Borough, Gulich Township Memorial Park, Clearfield Crown Crest Cemetery, Houtzdale Boro, and the Osceola Masonic Lodge, among many others.
Scranton DO Parole Supervisor David Coslett participated in Courtdale’s Trunk or Treat on Oct. 17 where he was able to meet with local families and celebrate the spooky season at the annual event.
Congratulations to Sgt. Daniel Leary on being named SCI Phoenix Employee of the Month for October 2026!
Sgt. Leary has built a distinguished career in corrections and has consistently demonstrated the professionalism, dedication, and integrity that make him an invaluable member of the PADOC. He approaches each day with a positive attitude, can be relied upon to meet the demands of his position, and demonstrates a genuine willingness to assist others whenever needed.
In addition to serving as a Sergeant with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Sgt. Leary is a proud veteran of the United States Army, having dedicated more than two decades to serving his country. His military service reflects the same commitment to duty, discipline, leadership, and service that he continues to demonstrate throughout his career in corrections.
Congratulations, Sgt. Leary! Thank you for your service to our country and our Commonwealth.
The final PADOC job fair of 2026 will be at SCI Chester next week. Swing by and chat with recruiters about exciting career opportunities in corrections.
📅 Nov. 3
⏰ 12-6 PM
📍 SCI Chester, 500 E. 4th Street, Chester, PA 19013
Stop in, ask questions, and see what a career in corrections is all about ⤵
pa.gov/agencies/employment/c…

ALT A Job Fair graphic that reads: Join the DOC for an on-site Job Fair at SCI Chester on November 3 from 12–6 PM at 500 E Fourth St, Chester, PA 19013, 610-490-5412, pa.gov/docjobs. Meet with DOC recruiters to ask questions. Learn about the many opportunities available with a career in the DOC. Submit your application for a job. Interview for a Corrections Officer Trainee position. Please bring two forms of ID to the event. Now hiring for: Corrections Officer Trainee. It includes a picture of two Corrections Officers.
The North Shore Sub Office hosted Vitalant for a blood drive organized by Agent Baldonieri. Employees from the North Shore Sub Office, Greensburg Sub Office, and Pittsburgh District Office donated 16 units of blood—which surpassed Vitalant’s goal of 15 for the event!
Based on the success, another blood drive with an even higher goal is already in the works.
Congratulations to the 50 DOC employees who graduated from the ten-month Corrections Leadership Development Program (CLDP) at the DOC Training Academy on Oct. 14!
CLDP is open to employees from throughout the agency, including state correctional facilities, the Bureau of Community Corrections, parole, and Central Office, and is designed for mid-level managers and above to sharpen their leadership skills. Participants are nominated by their facility superintendents or executive staff.
The program aims to build these key ethical leadership behaviors in correctional leaders: caring about and respecting others; learning and evolving; communicating openly and inspirationally; and demonstrating fairness and equity.
Participants attend two-day classroom sessions each month, and the courses taught during each session relate to the key ethical leadership behaviors listed above.
View full album on Facebook ⤵️
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Pittsburgh CCC employees and reentrants volunteered at the @PghFoodBank during the Hunger Action Month on Sept. 28. The team also held a 9/11 Week of Service Food Drive benefiting the food bank, as well as the Westmoreland County Community Food Bank.
Check out this new mural installed in the Harrisburg District Office conference room painted by incarcerated artists at SCI Fayette!
The mural team at Fayette has partnered with the Bureau of Reentry Coordination to provide murals for meeting rooms used in district offices throughout Pennsylvania. The murals provide a unique and welcoming approach to the locations, especially in rooms where reentrants participate in groups and meetings. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive as this initiative continues to expand. 🎨
SCI Albion began the BARK (Building Accountability and Reliability with K9s) #PrisonPups program in partnership with the ANNA Shelter on Dec. 1, 2025. During that short time, 16 rescue dogs have been trained in obedience and adopted to their forever homes.
One of the pups still waiting for her family is Leah, this sweet Anatolian Shepherd mix!
For more information on Leah or other members of the Albion pack, check out ANNA BARK Program SCI Albion. 🐾
SCI Dallas hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Sept. 30 to recognize the dedicated individuals who support the institution and incarcerated individuals. At the event, John Duffy was honored as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year. The luncheon was attended by 33 volunteers, 22 incarcerated individuals, and approximately 20 staff members, including chaplains.
Duffy served as a drug and alcohol treatment specialist at Dallas for 14 years before transitioning to a volunteer role immediately upon his retirement in 2022. He has continued supporting individuals on their journey toward recovery and personal growth by leading and participating in a 12-step recovery group twice each month. The group regularly brings together 15 to 20 incarcerated individuals who are committed to personal growth, accountability, and recovery.
Through open discussion, encouragement, and shared experiences, Duffy helps participants recognize that meaningful and lasting change is possible. His calm presence, compassionate approach, and willingness to listen have earned him the respect and appreciation of both participants and staff members.
Dallas Volunteer Coordinator Bishop Dr. McKing also highlighted that Duffy's commitment extends beyond his own volunteer service. Recognizing the importance of peer support, Duffy successfully recruited two additional volunteers to join the recovery community at SCI Dallas. Their involvement has further expanded opportunities for individuals in custody to receive encouragement, guidance, and support throughout their recovery journeys.
Duffy attended the luncheon with his wife, Kimberly Duffy, where he received the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award from Dallas Superintendent Jasen Bohinski. The presentation took place in the presence of fellow volunteers representing several departments throughout the facility, as well as many familiar faces from Duffy's years of service as a member of the Dallas staff.
The SCI Mercer Honor Guard participated in the annual Military Appreciation Game hosted by the Hickory High School varsity soccer team on Oct. 1.
Each season, the team takes time to honor veterans during a special pregame ceremony, and this year, the Mercer Honor Guard was proud to participate and recognize those who have served our country.
Representing the Mercer Honor Guard: Lt. Roolf, Sgt. Jamison, Sgt. Polaski, CO Clark, CO Hamilton, and CO Castro.
SCI Greene's Empowerment Committee hosted a Nacho Bar in the Staff Dining Room on Sept. 16. Deputy Supt. Maureen Malanoski and Western Region Staff Assistant Sara Dillard served nachos and cheese, with extra toppings available at the salad bar.
The event was funded by the committee's fundraising efforts, which allow it to give back to staff members.

















































