Formed 1829 Population 12,448,279 (2008 est.) | Preceding agency Bureau of Correction | |
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Legal personality Governmental: Government agency Size 46,055 square miles (119,280 km) | ||
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) is the Pennsylvania state agency that is responsible for the confinement, care and rehabilitation of approximately 51,000 inmates at state correctional facilities funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The agency has its headquarters in Hampden Township, Cumberland County in Greater Harrisburg, near Mechanicsburg.
Contents
- History
- Institutions
- Adult Male Institutions
- Adult Female Institution
- Co Ed Boot Camp
- Contract institutions
- Death row
- Headquarters
- Training academy
- References
As of February 2011, there are 26 state correctional institutions, one motivational boot camp, one central training academy, 15 community corrections centers, and the DOC contracts with approximately 40 contractors across the Commonwealth that provide transitional services. The DOC employs more than 16,000 individuals and houses more than 51,000 inmates.
History
Pennsylvania has a distinguished reputation in penology. The commonwealth was the birthplace of the penitentiary concept, also known as the Pennsylvania System. Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829, on a cherry orchard outside of Philadelphia, and was considered at the time to be “the world's greatest penitentiary.” Known to historians as "the first true penitentiary," Eastern State operated until 1970.
The Bureau of Correction was created by an act of Legislature in September 1953. The foundation was based on a report by Retired Army Major General Jacob L. Devers, and his special committee to investigate prison problems. The committee was convened shortly after riots at Pittsburgh and Rockview in early 1953. It was the committee's mission to recommend ways to improve the correctional system and reduce unrest. Up to this point the state’s prisons fell under the Department of Welfare. Here they were governed by their own boards of trustees. The Devers Committee suggested the establishment of one agency, whose sole purpose was to manage the state prison system. Appointed by Gov. John S. Fine, Arthur T. Prasse was selected as the first commissioner of corrections, where he remained until 1970.
In 1980, the Bureau of Correction changed hands from the former Pennsylvania Department of Justice, to the newly created Office of General Counsel to the Governor. Constitutional changes resulted in an elected state attorney general, and the disbanding of the Justice Department.
In 1984, under Act 245, the Bureau of Correction was elevated to cabinet-level status, making it the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Institutions
The Department of Corrections maintains 27 institutions across the state as well as the Community Corrections Center, where offenders prepare for re-entry into the community.
The facilities are classified into 4 security levels: Minimum, Medium, Close, and finally Maximum.
Adult Male Institutions
Adult Female Institution
Co-Ed Boot Camp
Contract institutions
From 2010 until May 2011, Muskegon Correctional Facility in Michigan held Pennsylvania prisoners under a contract.
Death row
The execution chamber of the State of Pennsylvania is on the grounds of State Correctional Institution – Rockview. Most male death row inmates are housed in State Correctional Institution – Greene- while some are housed at State Correctional Institution – Graterford. 80% of all Pennsylvania death row inmates are held at Greene. Female death row inmates are housed in State Correctional Institution – Muncy.
Headquarters
The agency has its headquarters in Hampden Township, Cumberland County in Greater Harrisburg, near Mechanicsburg. The headquarters are located along Technology Parkway, in proximity to a residential area.
The agency previously had its headquarters in Lower Allen Township, near Camp Hill, also in Greater Harrisburg. In 2010 the former headquarters were crowded with employees. Construction on the new headquarters started around 2010.
Training academy
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Training Academy serves as a training area for prison employees working for the state and employees working for the county. It is located in Mount Joy Township, Lancaster County, near Elizabethtown and 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Harrisburg. The academy includes nine buildings on 265 acres (107 ha) of land.
The facility was originally the State Hospital for Crippled Children, which opened in 1930. In 1991 the corrections department acquired the facility.