ANGER/STRESS MANAGEMENT Inmates on the Drug and Alcohol Education Unit and female inmates are instructed how to recognize anger, its origin, and how to constructively deal with it in an eight week course utilizing games and workbooks in a group therapy format. Inmates are given a Certificate of Completion at the conclusion of the course.
Contact: Norbert Sotomayor, CAC
Arelis Sable
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMMING is designated to assist county agencies and non-profit organizations with special work assignments. 106 projects were completed in 2003, with 439 participants providing just over 26,000 hours of labor. (Based on $5.15 minimum wage this saved $138,164.00)
Contact: David Leeper, Prison Joint Venture Coordinator
CRITICAL THINKING CLASS This program, open to both males and females, is to assist in exploring the decision making process using logical methods. The subject matter includes but is not limited to, current news, or historical references and events and may cover religious, social, economical, political and scientific sources. The class is supervised by a retired doctor of history from Millersville University. (Temporarily on hold)
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE programming, also initiated in 1995, is provided through the Lancaster Shelter for Abused Women. In order to educate female inmates about abuse issues and resources available to combat it, the Shelter speaks of the "cycle of domestic violence" and its surrounding legal issues. Both group and individual sessions are available to the inmates. Approximately 20 inmates participate in this program on monthly basis.
DRUG and ALCOHOL EDUCATION UNIT (pod 2-1) is a 60 day education program which provides evaluation and assessment inclusive of outpatient and inpatient counseling. The focus is based on the 12 step traditions of AA and NA. The program is headed by 2 accredited addiction counselors and incorporates the use of volunteers from the community for programs such as AA and NA. In 1999, in conjunction with the Lancaster County Fatherhood Initiative, a Fatherhood Workshop feature was added to the program to instruct its male inmates how to become better role models for their children. The program graduates approximately 20 inmates per session. This program is also available to the female population, focused and designed specifically for women.
FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE In 1999, in conjunction with the Lancaster County Fatherhood Initiative, a Fatherhood Workshop feature was added to the drug and alcohol programming. This program called long distance dads (LDD) is designed to instruct male inmates how to become better role models for their children. The program graduates approximately 27 inmates per session. COBYS Family Services is also a partner and offer the Active Parenting Today curriculum as part of LDD.
HIV/HIV COUNSELING is provided through a Red Cross certified counselor within the prison. Inmates receive instruction on HIV fundamentals as well as prevention skills conducted quarterly. The prison also has its own video library on a wide range of health-related issues as well as historical topics.
ITP (Inmate Trustee Programming) provides a reliable inmate workforce which has proven to be cost efficient and effective while at the same time providing a multitude of prison job opportunities. These opportunities provide the inmates exposure to a routine work environment as well as instilling responsibility and a sense of contribution while being incarcerated. A total of 328 inmates were placed in the kitchen, maintenance, and supply areas in 1998. The average weekly workforce exceeds 100 inmates.
Contact: Tom Romanowski, Inmate Vocational Evaluator
IU13 ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS The Adult Education Program is run by the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 and consists of GED Preparation courses and ESL (English as a Second Language) instruction. Approximately 32 inmates successfully completed their GED in 2003; which exceeds totals from previous years. The Lancaster-Lebanon Literacy Council also provides a tutor for these programs.
JUVENILE EDUCATION/SPECIAL EDUCATION The Juvenile Education Program is run by the School District of Lancaster and offers the opportunity for continuing high school curriculum in both regular and special education. The school district employs a staff member for both types of students under the age of 21. A total of 18 students are actively involved in this program on a monthly basis. The program also incorporates the use of the "Link to Learn" computer server which allows the students to research educational topics via the internet.
Contact: Peter McArthur, Special Education Instructor, School District of Lancaster
MARCH OF DIMES prison project, initiated in 1995, is a five week course organized by five local Nurse Practitioners/Registered Nurses. Female inmates are instructed, through use of models and videos, about women's health concerns, pregnancy care, and parenting skills.
MENTAL HEALTH The purpose of the mental health mental retardation department is to provide the Lancaster County Prison with several basic services. The primary focus of this department is the Medical Housing Unit. This 48 bed unit provides housing for the mentally ill and mentally retarded inmates who cannot function in general population. Mental health and mental retardation services are also provided to inmates in the general population who suffer from depression, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and/or crisis situations.
Contact: PrimeCare Medical - C. Greener, or R. Shambaugh
PARENTING / LIFE SKILLS This course is designed to educate and counsel the female population on good parenting skills. Conducted in small group settings, this course allows women to address individual problems in parenting and receive instruction and guidence.
THE YWCA OF LANCASTER SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND COUNSELING CENTER (SAPPCC) works with the Lancaster County Prison to provide an on-going psycho-educational group to female inmates who have identified abusive relationships in their past. SAPCC staff meet with the women twice a month or more to discuss issues like self-esteem, healthy relationships, decision making, and patterns of abuse.
WOMEN'S SUPPORT GROUP This group meets weekly with up to five or six women participating. The women share their concerns, fears and anxieties about being incarcerated, and other issues in their lives. The group is based on mutual support, respect and trust.
