Centre County Government: Centre County Correctional Facility: Inmate Programs and Services

Centre County Correctional Facility

Inmate Programs and Services

This is an overview of programs or services available for Inmates. More information can be found in the Inmate Handbook, the Policies and Procedures, and the Handbook for Families of Pennsylvania Jail/Prison Inmates located on this web-site. All of these services can be restricted or modified due to violations of Facility Rules and Regulations.

If more information is needed, contact the following at the Centre County Correctional Facility:

Deputy Warden of Facility Management Jeff Hite
(814) 355-6868, wait for the prompt then press 3
Health Care Administrator Dawn Rider
(814) 355-6868, wait for the prompt then press 8
Centre County Correctional Counselors
(814) 355-6868, wait for the prompt then press 3

Counseling Service

Inmates will be assigned a counselor within 48 hours of their commitment as part of the commitment process. Inmates will be able to meet with their respective counselors by submitting an inmate request form to that counselor.

Correctional Counselors are available to assist inmates with a variety of resources and available programming. The Counselors will not provide legal advice for inmates. Counselors will handle such questions by referring inmates to their attorneys. They will provide inmates with information to address inmate needs either in the facility or through the court.

Inmates must arrange outside calling capabilities with the current inmate phone system. If an inmate is unable to do this (for a legitimate reason); the counseling office will attempt to assist the inmate. When time allows, phone calls may be granted, with priority being calls to attorneys, to employers, and emergency situations. Calls will not be made to: Centre County Government Offices, victims, anyone with a PFA or No Contact Order against the inmate.

Alcoholics Anonymous

AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Batterer's Group

This self-pay group, run by Clear Concepts Inc., is designed to explore the nature of violent relationships, with a focus on the perpetrator, not the victim. There is a $70 assessment fee. The fee for individual sessions can range from ten to thirty dollars a session. It is determined on a case-by-case basis during the initial assessment, based on financial ability.

C-Cert (Centre County Education and Resistance Training)

This group focuses on thought processes involved in criminal behavior and recidivism. It is a self-pay program: $15.00 per session for the first three sessions $10.00 per session thereafter.

Commissary

Commissary is available for all inmates. A list of commissary items, their costs, and the procedure for purchasing are posted in the housing units, and on the order form. Inmates are permitted to purchase commissary items for their own personal use. In order to obtain a haircut, you must purchase a haircut ticket from the commissary.

Drug and Alcohol Group

This group focuses on education of addiction, explores members' histories with drugs and alcohol, and examines new lifestyles and changes required for recovery.

GED Classes

Inmates who meet criteria may be eligible to receive credit for each class attended. Inmates who pass the GED test may be given credit toward their remaining time on their minimum sentences.

Hygiene

Inmates will shower daily and must be properly clothed going to and from the shower. If an inmate is unable to purchase hygiene products, items will be made available. Inmates are permitted to shave between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 am only, except in cases of court appearances. In order to obtain a haircut, inmates can purchase a haircut ticket from commissary. There will be a regular laundry schedule to clean linens, uniforms, and personal clothing.

Indigent

An inmate is considered indigent if he/she has been continually without funds ($5.00 or less) for a total of seven (7) days. Once an inmate has been determined to be indigent he/she will be eligible to receive necessary hygiene and/or writing/stationary items. If an indigent inmate receives money within 14 days of receiving indigent items, he/she will be charged for those items previously received.

Inmate Programs

The Inmate Services Department offers a variety of educational, vocational and counseling programs. Inmates must request admission to a program by using a request form. Counselor will be able to proved information about programs and services that are available.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Inpatient Rehab isa highly structured, intensive, residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. It is composed of educational classes, group and individual therapy, twelve-step meetings, chores, meditation and spirituality, seven days a week, for sixteen hours a day. It can be a valuable experience for those serious about recovery.

Job Skills

This program is designed to meet inmates' individual needs, including work release, community job search, career planning, resumewriting, and social service referrals.

Legal Research

Equipment is available to provide you access to legal reference material. A schedule is posted in each housing unit for legal reference access. The supplied computer, printer, and legal reference materials are to be used for legal work only. Photocopying of legal documents for court related purposes will be permitted through the Counselors. A $.25/ copy charge will be deducted from inmate accounts for legal copies.

Legal Representation

The Office of the Public Defender will be available to inmates in the Centre County Correctional Facility. For initial contact with this Office, an inmate must submit a Public Defender Form and place it in the Request Box, which is located in each housing unit. Once assigned a Public Defender, an inmate may contact that Office by using the Inmate Request Forms. The Public Defender can contact the inmate by letter, phone, or in person.

Private representation will also be permitted contact with the inmate, although they will not be able to call the inmate directly. Private representation will be permitted to send letters and to visit with the inmate.

Mail

Inmates will have access to incoming and outgoing mail through the United States Postal Service. Incoming mail will be searched for contraband. Legal mail will be opened in front of the Inmate.

Medical Services

Medical care shall be routinely and consistently provided to all inmates regardless of their financial standing. At no time shall Medical Staff deny treatment to an inmate due to indigent status or unavailability of sufficient funds to pay for the service. All inmates will be charged a fee for medical care that is provided to them, where applicable.

The Centre County Correctional Facility's medical care is contracted to Prime Care. To contact the Medical Department at this Facility, dial extension (814) 355-6868, then press 8 to reach Dawn Rider, Health Care Administrator. To contact Prime Care directly, you may call them at 1-717-545-5787 or 1-800-245-7277. Their address is Prime Care, 3940 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17109

Mental Health/Mental Retardation

Mental Health/ Mental Retardation services for inmates are provided by Centre County Base Service Unit.Referrals may be made to MH/MR, and a caseworker will meet with inmates to set up a psychological evaluation if needed. The Mental Health Office does not offer counseling or therapy.

Money/Inmate Accounts

Inmates are permitted to access money in their accounts. Money can be accessed for costs within the Correctional Facility and for commissary purchases.

Notary Service

Notary Services are available within the Facility for legal documents. If more information is needed concerning the service, contact the Deputy Warden.

Prison Society

Centre County branch of the Pennsylvania Prison Society is an organization of citizens in the community that are interested in the welfare of the local inmate population.

They offer a variety of activitiesand informational programs, and in addition, they will listen to inmate needs and concerns and try to assist when possible.

Diploma Classes

These classes are available to inmates under 21 years old and who want to acquire a high school diploma. Inmates can apply through their assigned Counselor.

Religious Services

Religious Services will be available on a regular basis in accordance with the schedules posted in each housing unit. With approval, inmates will be permitted to have in their possession one Bible and/or Rosary beads, one Koran and/or Prayer beads, Kufee or Prayer Rug, and a reasonable number of religious literatures.

General Visiting

The visitation policy is designed to give all inmates an opportunity to visit with family, friends, legal representation and community resources. Everyone is given the opportunity to be eligible for visitation.

Contact Visiting

Contact visits must be requested in writing to the Deputy Warden of Facility Management. Only inmates on Work Release and Volunteer Worker status will be considered.

Recreation

All inmates will be afforded recreation in accordance with those rules governing their housing classification. Sports equipment will be provided for the recreation yards. Board games will be provided in each housing unit. No games are permitted in cells.

Televisions are provided for. Inmates will be permitted to cooperate in determining the channel setting on the TV.

Telephones

Telephones (collect calls only) are located in each housing unit. Telephone usage will be regulated by the Housing Unit Officer. Telephone calls are recorded and monitored.

Use of threatening, profane, or abusive language on the telephone will not be tolerated, and will result in disciplinary action. No three-way telephone connections are permitted. Non-collect telephone calls must be requested through the Counselor.

Therapeutic Community

The Therapeutic Community is a segregated housing unit that focuses on the treatment of addiction and alcoholism. The community is an intensive highly structured environment that offers group counseling, individual counseling, 12 step recovery, lectures and classes on a daily basis. Individuals will be assessed for appropriateness for entry into this program by the TASC Coordinator. In addition to assessing the appropriateness of inmates for the Therapeutic Community, the TASC Coordinator will also be responsible for determining if an inmate needs inpatient residential level of care, offer pre-release case management services, monitor treatment, and co-facilitate weekly educational groups.

Volunteer Work Program

Volunteer Work Program (Outside)

Inmates who are interested and meet specific criteria may be assigned to perform volunteer work outside the prison with the Centre County Government, Bellefonte Borough, Centre Peace, or any other designated area by the Warden or his designee. Inmates involved in this program may be legible receive credit toward their minimum sentences for each day of volunteer work completed. Once assigned, an inmate is required to perform the necessary duties for that job. An inmate may request removal from a job but that does not relieve them of their responsibilities. Medical clearance from the classification committee, and assignment to a general housing unit are required for eligibility of a job assignment within the prison.

Volunteer Work Program (Inside)

Once assigned to a housing unit, an inmate may inquire by making a verbal request to the Housing Unit Officer about a unit worker position on that housing unit. Job assignments outside of the housing unit require a written request to the appropriate staff member. Upon receiving the request, the inmate will be considered for approval. If approved, the officers working in the unit will put your name on a list and when a job comes open you can be assigned. Inmates involved in this program may be eligible receive credit toward their minimum sentences for each day of volunteer work completed. Once assigned, an inmate is required to perform the necessary duties for that job. An inmate may request a removal from a job but that does not relieve them of their responsibilities. Medical clearance from the classification committee and assignment to a general housing unit is required for eligibility of a job assignment within the prison.

Pre-release Program

The Centre County Courts, the Centre County Correctional Facility , and the Centre County Probation and Parole Department have developed a Pre-Release Program designed to meet the needs of Centre County and the Inmate Population. This overall Program is made up of many smaller programs, each of which has been created to allow an inmate the opportunity to participate by receiving counseling, the community support, and the community services which he or she needs to improve themselves. Participation in any of these programs is a privilege. Being a privilege, each Program can also be revoked by Staff, the Probation Staff, or the Court for just cause. Each individual being considered for a program must meet all the criteria which has been established. Meeting all the criteria does not guarantee participation. You must still receive the approval of the Warden, the Prison Coordinator, your Probation Officer, and the Courts after all the relevant information is provided. All decisions regarding participation in these programs will be handled on a case by case basis, based on its particular merits.

Weekend/Holiday Furloughs.

The Weekend/Holiday Furlough Program is offered as an opportunity for inmates to spend time at home with their friends and family. Requests for a weekend furlough are to be submitted to the Deputy Warden of Facility Management.

The Work Release Program

is developed to allow an individual to continue to be gainfully employed within the community while serving his sentence. By participating in the program, the individual will be able to maintain his employment and at the same time be able to pay on the fines, costs, and restitution placed on him by the Courts. Placement on this program can be completed two (2) ways: First, an individual can be processed by the Prison Coordinator prior to being committed to the Prison. In this instance, all verification and paperwork is completed prior to his incarceration; or second, the individual secures employment while he is incarcerated. In this instance, when employment is secured, the individual must submit a Warden/Inmate Communication Slip indicting that he has found employment and wishes to speak with the Prison Coordinator. After speaking with the individual, the Prison Coordinator will verify the employment and process the paperwork. In each instance, the inmate will sign what is knows as "Work Release" papers giving the Rules and Regulations of the program and the hours which the individual will work.

Job Search Furlough

Furloughs to seek employment are available to those inmates who are incarcerated and wish to find a job within the community. This program is designed for those individuals who sincerely wish to obtain employment within the community. Furloughs are restricted to a maximum of two (2) per month with no more than five (5) during his/her incarceration period. To request a furlough for this purpose, you must complete an inmate request form for a Job Search Furlough and have at least 5 names and addresses of some potential businesses or employers you wish to contact and submit it to the Warden one (1) week in advance of the day you wish to be released on furlough. The Inmate's request will then be submitted to the Prison Coordinator and the Courts for approval or disapproval.