Emerging Stronger P E N N S Y LVA N I A P R I S O N S O C I E T Y 2021 ANNUAL REPORT
EMERGING
STRONGER
The challenges brought on by the past year have been described as unprecedented, historic, and unforgettable. Our report shares how we navigated through them and ultimately came out of this extraordinary year
stronger.
LETTER
FROM
THE
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
For PA’s prisons, the post-pandemic “normal” may be worse than the old normal.
Less access for families A number of county jails remain closed to family visits entirely as they face the threat of a coronavirus resurgence and struggle with low vaccination rates. While state prisons—which have done a solid job of vaccinating their residents—have restarted visits, they’ve done so with limited hours that make visiting near impossible for working families and those who live hours away from the prison housing their loved one. Many prison officials we speak to predict that limited visiting hours and reliance on video-visits will continue once the pandemic is over. They cite the convenience of video visits and note that staffing visiting rooms takes a lot of staff time. What this means is that many families who used to regularly see and hug their sons, daughters, or siblings won’t be able to again with any frequency. Less movement and activity For much of the pandemic, prisons have imposed near constant “lockdowns” with people
Which is why, the Prison Society was surprised to learn of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ decision to permanently close dining halls and continue to serve food on trays to people in their housing units. Many people in custody have written to us worried about this change. “This is just about keeping us locked in our units longer,” “this means more isolation” and “the DOC just wants to encourage laziness” are some of the comments we have received. More need for transparency As you will read in these pages, over the course of the pandemic we have been innovating, strengthening, and growing. Today we are having more of an impact than ever before— getting the vaccine to people in jail, pressuring prisons to reopen for family visits, and calling out policies and practices that degrade the health, safety, and dignity of Pennsylvanians in prison. While post-pandemic life in prison looks more restrictive and isolating than ever, together we can write a different future.
REPORT
Here is what the post-pandemic “new normal” may mean for people in prison and their families.
While all of us will have lasting effects from the isolation and anxiety of the pandemic, for people who have been confined to prison, these extreme and lengthy lockdowns will have an untold traumatic impact.
ANNUAL
But for people in Pennsylvania’s prisons and their families, the post-pandemic future looks bleak.
confined to their cells for much of the day, food delivered to cells, activities cancelled, and access to libraries and law libraries suspended. This is still the case in many of Pennsylvania’s prisons, while in others, more movement is returning, and a few programs and educational classes have started back up.
CLAIRE SHUBIK-RICHARDS
Executive Director
2021
Twenty months into the global pandemic, few things are totally back to normal. But for many of us, myself included, there are glimpses of a brighter post-pandemic future—the winter holidays will be with my whole family and we might even get to see “The Nutcracker”.
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EMERGING
STRONGER
PEOPLE
&
STORIES
Our volunteers are a lifeline FIGHTING
FOR
REFORM
Together, with our statewide network volunteers, we have eyes on the inside, monitoring 85 state and county correctional facilities. We respond to individual requests for help and advocate for the health, safety, and dignity of people who live behind bars.
“Request to visit a person in custody who is exhibiting post-stroke symptoms.” —SCI Sommerset
PENNSYLVANIA
PRISON
SOCIETY
We received a letter for help on behalf of a young man who suffered a stroke just before his trial at age 19. The young man’s speech and cognitive functioning were noticeably impacted.
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Our volunteer visited the young man and discovered he had not received any therapy during his three years of confinement. We advocated on his behalf and after meeting with the appropriate prison administrators, therapy was granted.
MISSION
CHAMPIONS
“ T H R O U G H T H E I R PA S S I O N AT E A DVO C A C Y A N D N E T WO R K O F VO L U N T E E R S , T H E P R I S O N S O C I E T Y P L AY S A C R I T I C A L R O L E I N P R OV I D I N G A VO I C E T O I N C A R C E R AT E D I N D I V I D U A L S A N D T H E I R L OV E D O N E S . ” — J O H N W E T Z E L , F O R M E R P E N N S Y LVA N I A C O R R E C T I O N S S E C R E TA R Y
“Received several letters from people in custody with safety concerns as COVID-19 spreads.” —Centre County Jail During the height of the pandemic, we received multiple letters from incarcerated people worried about contracting the coronavirus. Our volunteers went out and discovered that people in custody were worried about officers bringing the virus into the jail from the outside. With little information and access to the outside, they were concerned about what they were hearing (and not hearing). We also found that they were asked to clean but did not have adequate cleaning supplies and masks. Our volunteers met with the warden and elevated these concerns. The jail took action to improve communication and increase access to cleaning supplies.
“Mother called concerned that her son is not receiving several medications for his mental health. She has not heard from him in two weeks.” —Philadelphia County Jail
ANNUAL 2021
Our volunteer followed-up with the prison’s health services department and advocated for a re-evaluation of his medical records and disciplinary charges. He was provided with his necessary medications, taken out of solitary and was able to stabilize. Throughout the process, our monitor communicated with loved ones on the outside, bridging the information gap.
REPORT
Our volunteer visited and found that he was being held in solitary confinement. He was wrapped in only a rough blanket and was disheveled. He described being harassed by guards and other incarcerated people, and reported that when he reacted he was placed in solitary where he had languished with no clothing, activities, or medical evaluation.
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EMERGING
STRONGER
PEOPLE
&
STORIES
Introducing Our
Community Advisory Council
NEW THIS YEAR!
This year, we established a Community Advisory Council (CAC) of formerly incarcerated people and family members, several of whom also volunteer with the Society. They are a remarkable group of prison-life experts who play an invaluable role in helping us continuously improve our services and outreach.
JOSE LUIS ALAMO
ADRIAN PERRY
TERRI MINOR SPENCER
FELICIA DUSHA
VIRGINIA HAMMOND
RICHARD GARLAND
SHARIFF INGRAM
LISA KESSLER-PETERS
RADEE HAMMETT
RADEE JAMES FARRELL
JOANN WYJADKA
PAMELLA SUPERVILLE
THOMAS ROACH
ERIK VANZANT
PENNSYLVANIA
PRISON
SOCIETY
SANDRA JOHNSON
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MISSION
CHAMPIONS
Meet our 2021 Award Winners Every year, for the past 234 years, we’ve honored people who exemplify our mission. This year’s honorees are living proof that steadfast work and small actions can
CHERYL STEBERGER
PRISON SOCIETY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
INCARCERATED PERSON OF THE YEAR
CORRECTIONAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
SCI Camp Hill
Lancaster County Prison
Paul Schlueter has served
Warden
At 96 years old, Marion has
over 35 years of a life
Warden Steberger
been a volunteer for more
sentence and is known for
was honored for her
than two decades and has
his profound impact on the
compassionate leadership
been involved with the
people he has lived with in
during this unprecedented
Society for even longer. She
prison. Paul was nominated
year and commitment to
is respected by prison staff
for this award by someone
actively ensuring the health,
and fellow volunteers alike
who served time with him,
safety, and dignity of those
who are inspired by the work
was deeply helped by Paul,
in her care. She believes
they see Marion doing in the
and is now thriving in the
programming is of vital
county prison.
community.
importance and strives to
Unfortunately, we’re unable to show Paul’s face due to a dehumanizing PA rule that we are fighting to change.
make life better for everyone
Allegheny County
VIEW THE ACCEPTANCE VIDEOS HERE.
under her care.
ANNUAL
PAUL SCHLUETER
2021
MARION DAMICK
REPORT
have a large impact.
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EMERGING
STRONGER
PEOPLE
&
STORIES
Making News We are the go-to resource for the unbiased truth about what’s happening in Pennsylvania’s prisons and jails. This year, we deepened our reach across all of our media channels and are
PENNSYLVANIA
PRISON
SOCIETY
publishing vital information you can’t find anywhere else.
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WE EARNED 80+ MEDIA MENTIONS UP FROM 35 LAST YEAR.
MAKING
NEWS
Our supporter update following has increased 50% since the start of the pandemic reaching 4,600 inboxes and 9,300 social media followers. SCAN HERE TO VISIT OUR SUPPPORTERS PAGE!
F E AT U R E D C O N T R I B U T O R
Joel Wolfram JOURNALIST AND
in Pennsylvania state prisons and
the main reason our earned media
county jails, and reporting on
mentions more than doubled.
pandemic prison conditions through
Their impact is also increasing. The
our weekly supporter updates. This
Inquirer, Morning Call, Pike County
work covers 23 state prisons and
Courier, and Spotlight PA have either
62 county jails, and is an important
directly quoted from our updates or
way the Society is promoting
based their reporting on them.
transparency and accountability in county jails amid the decline of local
ANNUAL
journalism. Our weekly updates are
2021
Joel has been tracking COVID-19
REPORT
RESEARCHER
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EMERGING
STRONGER
IMPACT
VIEW OUR INTERACTIVE TRACKING MAP TO SEE HOW COUNTIES HAVE RESPONDED TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS.
2021 Highlight
IMPROVING VACCINE ACCESS IN COUNTY JAILS Nearly a month after vaccines first became eligible, incarcerated people still lacked access in half of Pennsylvania’s county jails, despite being given priority in the state’s plan. Together with our supporters, we urged The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to address this gross inequity for people confined to county jails. The DOH responded by releasing 8,500 doses of
“Our unique access gives us the
Moderna and J&J vaccines to
ability to tell the truest story of
county jails within the week.
pandemic prison conditions,
PENNSYLVANIA
PRISON
SOCIETY
Getting vaccines to county jails
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was a major step forward in protecting incarcerated people and correctional workers across Pennsylvania from the virus.
providing the information necessary for the public, our elected representatives, and prison administrators to make informed decisions that not only save lives, but dollars while protecting people in custody and those who pay for them to be in custody.” —Anton Andrew, Education & Advocacy Fellow
EDUCATION
&
ADVOCACY
Taking Action: THE END OF PRISON GERRYMANDERING Through the legislative redistricting process this year, Pennsylvania had a once-in-a-decade opportunity to end “prison gerrymandering,” a practice that distorts our democracy by reducing representation for predominantly Black communities, and by shifting electoral power from cities to rural regions. We were especially proud that at least 100 of our Society supporters responded to our call to action and submitted public testimony directly to Pennsylvania’s Redistricting Commission (LRC). Our voices were heard and made a difference—the LRC voted to end prison
100 PRISON SOCIETY SUPPORTERS SUBMITTED PUBLIC TESTIMONY TO END PRISON GERRYMANDERING
gerrymandering. This change was championed by our board member State Representative Joanna McClinton (D-191).
MEDICAL COPAY SUSPENSION CONTINUED Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have called for the elimination of the $5 medical copay, and have made significant progress towards ending this barrier to health care behind bars for good. Thanks to our increased outreach, state officials and elected representatives who have the power to end this policy have tuned in and are taking up our call to action.
“From all angles, the smartest option is to permanently eliminate medical co-pays for people who are incarcerated.” —Prison Society Board Member State
ANNUAL
REPORT
Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46)
2021
AT THE STARTING SALARY RATE OF 19 CENTS/HOUR, IT WOULD TAKE OVER 26 HOURS OF WORK TO AFFORD THE $5 COPAY, MAKING HEALTHCARE INACCESSIBLE FOR MANY.
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EMERGING
STRONGER
IMPACT
FOR EVERY
2021 Highlight
PRISONS OPEN FOR VISITS AGAIN
PERSON IN PRISON CUSTODY, THERE IS A COMMUNITY DEVASTATED BY THEIR ABSENCE.
When PA announced plans to re-open much of the state by Memorial Day, prisons were left out of the plan. The Prison Society put out a call to action to our supporters, and state prisons responded by beginning the process of opening to in-person visits. This was a big victory for incarcerated people and their loved ones, who had endured agonizing isolation going through the entire pandemic without an inperson visit.
One in two Americans has a loved one who is or has been incarcerated
81,000 children in PA have an incarcerated parent
“The intense isolation incarcerated people have endured over the past year has taken an incredible
PENNSYLVANIA
PRISON
SOCIETY
toll on mental health, as many people in custody
10
have spent the majority of the pandemic confined to a small cell for 23 hours a day. Research conclusively shows that visiting is important in preserving mental health, supporting successful reintegration, and contributing to a safer prison environment. There remains much work to be done to improve connection within PA prisons, and the Society remains committed to mitigating the isolation prison creates by design. ” —Kirstin Cornnell, Social Services Director
SOCIAL
SUPPORTS
Building Connection: MENTORING & HOPE ALIVE
For families with a loved one behind bars,
By adapting our mentoring curriculum to
the Pennsylvania Prison Society is a primary
be conducted virtually, we were able to
and invaluable source of reliable information;
restart this much relied upon, much valued
information about how to stay connected,
support despite the cessation of in-person
information about what is happening in a
programming in all state prisons. Our
particular facility, information that because
Hope Alive support group also relaunched
of our unique history, relationships, and legal
virtually after a hiatus of eight months.
authority only the Prison Society can provide.
The development of a remote option has
The Prison Society’s Family Support Helpline
allowed us to explore options to expand
alleviates some of the burden incarceration
this programming to reach even more
causes by helping families understand the
underserved people in the Commonwealth.
5,000+ LOVED ONES CALLED OUR HELPLINE FOR HELP AND INFORMATION THIS YEAR. WE ANSWERED EVERY CALL. “I really care about the families who
OUR FIRST YEAR OF REMOTE MENTORING HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL WE’RE POISED TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH. GRATERFRIENDS
contact us and feel their pain and
Graterfriends, a newsletter by and for
frustration in dealing with a system that
incarcerated people, has been in print since
isn’t gracious to older folks, disabled folks,
1981. Our subscribership grew by 20% over
folks in poverty, or anyone really. Every
the course of the last year as incarcerated
person who calls me gets a response within
people looked for ways to collectively
two business days, and I do my best to find
process and grieve the devastation
the right resources for them. Often, people
wrecked by the pandemic. Authors
are totally shocked that I even called back
mourned lives lost, voiced frustration
at all, and express how grateful they are for
about living conditions, and collectively
someone to at least speak with them—so
expressed concern for each other and their
many people I speak with are given the
communities back home.
cold shoulder by prison administrators.” —Lara Bros, Administrative and Family Support Associate
MORE THAN 900 INCARCERATED PEOPLE SUBSCRIBE TO GRATERFRIENDS, WITH READERSHIP COVERING ALL 23 STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND MANY COUNTY PRISONS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
REPORT
informed self-advocates.
ANNUAL
system, access resources, and become more
2021
FAMILY SUPPORT HELPLINE
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EMERGING
STRONGER
IMPACT
2021 Highlight
MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC’S SECOND WAVE Congregate care settings like prisons were ground zero for the explosive second wave of COVID-19. As the state’s independent corrections monitor, we
“The Department of Correction’s actions in response to our Covid-19 survey report are a perfect example of the value of independent prison monitoring. At it’s best, our work sheds light on
made it our business to understand
the places where policy
how well the measures put in place by
and practice do not align,
the Department of Corrections (DOC)
and assesses the less
were being implemented. To get a
quantifiable aspects of
first-hand perspective, we conducted our first-ever survey of incarcerated people that some 650 people in Pennsylvania state custody filled out.
prison life—vital issues such as health, safety, and dignity.” —Noah Barth, Prison Monitoring Director
Our findings were published in two reports that surfaced concerns and
PENNSYLVANIA
PRISON
SOCIETY
actionable recommendations related
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to communication, hygiene, and access to medical care. The DOC committed to addressing many of the concerns and policy makers and officials alike have quoted extensively from the report.
Our survey revealed that the more often and effectively prison officials communicate with people in custody, the more they reported feeling safe.
PRISON
MONITORING
Ending Abuse: PROACTIVE MONITORING
NEW OVERSIGHT TOOLS
We ramped up our systematic monitoring
We returned to in-person visiting this
visits this year and made major strides in
year, ready to pilot new oversight tools for
documenting prison conditions. Our prison
recording our observations and structuring
monitoring team began utilizing proactive
our discussions. With these new tools,
monitoring approaches including facility
we were able to make major strides in
walkthroughs and surveys. We shared our
documenting prison conditions, significantly
detailed findings (observations, interviews
contributing to the body of solid data
with individuals, and recommendations) with
available on Pennsylvania’s prisons and jails.
prison officials so they could take action.
This has been a boon to both our volunteer chapters and their counterparts in county
“I hear from the representatives of the Pennsylvania Prison Society. I’ll ask questions and get information that I can take action on.”
government and prison administration. Better tracking our monitoring efforts has led to more pointed and effective advocacy as well as a better informed public.
— District Attorney Fran Chardo, Dauphin County
“The importance of independent oversight is being recognized were asked to provide testimony to the Arizona and Virginia legislatures, both of which have bills creating independent oversight agencies.” —Claire Shubik-Richards, Prison Society
REPORT
Executive Director
ANNUAL
This year, the Adams County volunteer chapter helped persuade the county prison to issue an ID to people being released from custody, greatly easing the transition home.
around the country. This year, we
2021
MONITORING REPORTS ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE.
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Financial Report
PENNSYLVANIA
PRISON
SOCIETY
Revenue
14
● GRANTS
69%
● ENDOWMENT DISTRIBUTION
1%
● INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS
12%
● OTHER
1%
● PROGRAM REVENUE
17% TOTAL REVENUE
$1,048,000
“ T H R O U G H S T R O N G F I N A N C I A L S T E WA R D S H I P A N D T H E S U P P O R T O F M A N Y G R E AT P E O P L E A N D I N S T I T U T I O N S , W E H AV E B E E N A B L E T O P U R S U E G R OW T H I N I T I AT I V E S , E XPA N D O U R C A PA B I L I T Y O F S U P P O R T, AND PURSUE REFORM OF OUR PRISON AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE S Y S T E M . ” — C H R I S C OV I N G T O N , T R E A S U R E R
Expendatures
● PROGRAM
82%
● ADMINISTRATION
17%
ANNUAL
REPORT
2%
2021
● FUNDRAISING
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DONOR
18
“When I moved to Fairmount in
organization that was advocating for
late 2016, I was looking for a way
those behind bars, while connecting
to support efforts around criminal
with their families and pushing for
justice reform. I went to a number of
policy change. The Prison Society
events at Eastern State Penitentiary
has done an incredible job over the
and learned about some of
last couple years in particular in
the efforts happening across
keeping those in the community
Philadelphia, the state, and around
informed about what is happening
the country. Very soon after, I started
(and not happening), while fighting
volunteering with the Philadelphia
for those that are often overlooked
Bail Fund which has done incredible
and ignored. My husband and I
work before and during this
have been trying to provide more of
pandemic. However, with so many
our contributions through monthly
still incarcerated and conditions
donations since we know this
deteriorating during the pandemic,
provides consistency and stability to
I really wanted to support an
nonprofits as they do their work.”
Tameka GibsonWilliams
Marques Grundy
Basym Hasan
Alan Johnson
Linda Kegerreis
Pablo Gutierrez
Kathryn Heinzel
Jacqui Johnson
Thomas Keller
Patricia Haight
Jack Heyman
Sandra Johnson
Dana Kelley
William Haken, Sr.
Jennifer Hill
Timothy Johnson
Edward Kelly
Ann Glaser
Lauren HalliganPhilipp
Miriam Hill
Dorothy JohnsonSpeight
John Kenstowicz
Virginia Good
Beth Hamdan
Edmundo Grab
Marie Hamilton
Elena Grab
Radee Hammett
Peter Graustein
Andrea Harman
Donald Groff
Carrie Harrington
Jeffrey Gross
Bobby Harris
John Grove
Gladys Hart
Dmitra Gideon Matt Gingerich Eric Giusini
Adolph Hoehling Jack Hoffer Dianna Hollis Ruth Hoskins Eric Huechteman Lisa Huechteman Janet Irons
Ana Jones Jessica Jones Reuben Jones Kathleen Judge Jordan Kauffman Harriet Kaylor Joan Kegel
John Killeen Ashley King Knesset Klein John Knapich Susan Knox Eva Korolishin Clarence E. Kreider
CONTRACTORS &
Nathan Kruis
Irene Mehnert
Elaine Selan
Jeremiah Witmer
Darlene Kvaternik
Ellen Melchiondo
Glenn Shaffer
Howard Woodring
Jesse Lagrossa
Cynthia Miller
Laura Shaffer
Darla Yeager
Joshua Alvarez
Leslie Laing
David Miller
Joyce M Shutt
Kathy Yeatter
Jena Croxford
William Lamberson
Leeann Mills
Peggy Sims
Philip Yevics
Sidney Evans
Janet Landon
Vickie Mills
Jon Singer
Anna Young
Noelle Gambale
Donna Lane
Rebecca Mitchell
Sarah Sinnott
David Young
Julie Kitzerow
John Langel, Sr.
Pamela Moore
Katherine Skebeck
Judy Smith Young
Andy Peifer
Julia LaPera
Russell Moss
Christine Small
Heidi Zapotocky
Joel Wolfram
Richard Latker
Andrew Mow
Orlando Smith
Harold Zeager
Lillie Lavender
David Moyer
Judith Smitley
Helen Zeager
Ann Lebo
Jennifer Murphy
Kerry Sonia
Thomas Zeager
Jonathan Lebron
Dennis Murphy
Ashley Stauber
Roger Zepernick
Annabeth Bilodeau
Silas Lee
Laurence Mutti
Darlene Stewart
Derek Zimmerman
Nahndi Chiumya
John Leete
Malik Neal
William Stewart
Lawrence Newberry
Richard Stokes
S. Milton Zimmerman
Danielle Duego
Charles Leiden Jacklyn Leitzel
Yvonne Newkirk
Charles Strickler, Jr.
Othal Lester
Lona Norris
Andrea Striepen
William Lockard Christian Lolk Kimberly Lolk Dana LomaxWilliams
Mark O’Connell Saturnina Olmedo Carroll Osgood Timothy Overton Matthew Parris Abdullah Pasha
April Roundtree
Matthew Stroud
Will Bein
Amirah Syders
Keith Sultzbaugh
Meredith Bennett
Spencer Sutter
Anna Birman
Paul Swanger
Lara Bros
Richard Swiat
Isabelle Dean
Judith Swisher
Jillian Deiley
Phyllis Taylor
Ava Dove
Patricia Thomas
Marissa Ephron
Jayne Thompson
Liana Hiagh
Scott Thornsley
Atinuke Lardner
Angus Love
Christine Paul
Geraldine Lowe
Laura Perkins
Kathleen Lucas
JoAnne Perri Shirley Pfadt
Henry ThurstonGriswold
Taylor Lawritson
Bonnie Lyn Heist Doris MacKenzie
Joseph Piette
Claudia Tramer
Samantha Margolis
Shelley Malarkey
Margaret Platt
Lydia Trapp
Monica Mellon
GiGi Malinchak
Joan Porter
Denise VanBriggle
Evonna Moody
JackMalinowski
John Rauch
Patricia Vento
Julia Risenbach
Joseph Manzi
Jonina Respes
Neil Ward
Gabriella Ruiz
Harriet Marritz
Robert Rhoades
Barry Weaver
Destiny Shembo
Michael Marsilio
Kathleen Rhodes
Weslenette Webb
Josephine Simora
Constance Martin
Barbara Rittenhouse
Maria Weick
Grace Tinney
Linda Martin
Kerin Rosen
Michael West
Kyra Tustanowsky
Vernon Martin
Mel Rosenthal
John Will
Shana Vaid
Roger Mast
April Roundtree
Martha Williams
Greg Volynsky
Gina Mattaliano
John Rush
Sarah Winch
Christina Matthias
Donna Sandfort
Elizabeth Wingfield
James McCain
Stephen Sands
Tabitha Winklebleck
Carole McCallum
Carolyn “Cindy” Sanford
Petra Wirth
Andrew McKinnon Lisa Meade
Keith Sanford Luiza Sarbu Phoebe Schellenberg
Desiree Reynolds
Patricia Stringer
Ted Passon
Megan McDaniel
Cordelia Houck
Lexi Albuck
Patricia Lorenz
Damon McCool
Noelle Gambale
Catherine Wise James Wise Stephen Wiser Andrea Witmer
Daniel Lee
REPORT
Jodi Lincoln
Holly O’ConnorHricko
VO L U N T E E R S
ANNUAL
Carolyn Lidston
OFFICE
2021
Alan Lewandowski
INTERNS
C O N S U LTA N T S
19
Staff & Board FY22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rebecca Hillyer
Ashley Biden
PRESIDENT
Partner, Morgan Lewis
Consultant, Alliance for Safety and Justice
David Davis
Bradley S. Bridge
VICE PRESIDENT
Assistant Defendant, Defender Association of Philadelphia
Managing Director, Consulting Lead for Pennsylvania and Talent & Organization Lead for North America’s Public Sector, Accenture
Chris Covington, CFA TREASURER
Principal, HighVista Strategies
Stefanie Christmas
SECRETARY
Professor, Villanova Law School
Malik Neal
Co-Founder & Creative Director, ChatterBlast Media
Executive Director, Philadelphia Bail Fund
David Thornburgh
H. William DeWeese
Founder, Chairman & CEO, the Swarthmore Group
Director of Prison Services, Defender Association of Philadelphia
Associate, Duane Morris
Matthew Ray
James Nevels
Lobbyist & Political Consultant
Simeon Poles
State Representative, 191st Legislative District
Director, Vynamic
Thomas J. Innes III, Esq.
Steve Chanenson
Representative Joanna McClinton
Carol Petraitis Former Director, Clara Bell Duvall Reproductive Freedom Project, ACLU-PA
President & CEO, Committee of Seventy
Seth Williams Senior Managing Consultant, Public Financial Management
Su Ming Yeh Executive Director, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project
Senator Camera Bartolotta State Senator, 46th Senatorial District
STAFF
Noah Barth
Kirstin Cornnell
Anton Andrew
PRISON
SOCIAL SERVICES
EDUCATION &
MONITORING
DIRECTOR
ADVOCACY FELLOW
SOCIETY
Claire Shubik-Richards EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PENNSYLVANIA
PRISON
DIRECTOR
20
John Hargreaves
Matthew Githens
Naya Blue
Lara Bros
Joseph Robinson
VOLUNTEER
FINANCE &
ADMINISTRATIVE &
ADMINISTRATIVE &
MENTORING
DIRECTOR
OPERATIONS
CUSTOMER SERVICE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
ASSOCIATE
MANAGER
ASSOCIATE
ASSOCIATE
20
T H E WO R K O F T H E P R I S O N S O C I E T Y I S N E E D E D N OW M O R E T H A N E V E R . THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF THE VO L U N T E E R S , S U P P O R T E R S , S TA F F , AND BOARD, WE ARE MEETING T H AT N E E D N OW M O R E T H A N E V E R . T O G E T H E R , W E A R E C R E AT I N G A F U T U R E I N W H I C H T H E H E A LT H , S A F E T Y, A N D D I G N I T Y O F A L L I N C A R C E R AT E D P E N N S Y LVA N I A N S WILL BE PROTECTED AND HONORED. — R E B E C C A H I L LY E R , B O A R D PRESIDENT
LOOKING FORWARD While we’ve made tremendous strides this year, emerging stronger from one of the most challenging periods imaginable, there is still so much more we can do—so much we must do. Across the Commonwealth, our work is needed now more than ever. Each week, we receive dozens of requests for help from incarcerated people who are experiencing violence, lack of food, inadequate supervision, and prolonged confinement while awaiting trial. For people living behind bars and their loved ones, we are often the only place to turn for help. We exist to hold our local elected officials accountable and provide direct assistance to those who are suffering needlessly as a result of
ANNUAL
D O N AT E . VO L U N T E E R . S U B S C R I B E . F O L L OW.
2021
With your help, we can write a different future. Join us.
REPORT
this broken system.
21
230 S. Broad Street Suite 605 Philadelphia, PA 19102
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