SCI Retreat Supt. Vincent Mooney retired last week. Before he left, he sent this final note to his staff as he reflected back on his great career. Thank you for your service and enjoy retirement, Supt. Mooney!
For 33 Years, 7 Months, & 3 Days, I have been a proud member of a Great Organization "formerly called" the Pennsylvania Department of Justice / Bureau of Corrections (Yep…that's what it was called back then), and it's "now called" the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. It has been a wonderful career, and I have been very blessed to have achieved my ultimate goal of being a Superintendent. When I hear people complain about having their job, I just smile, and think just how lucky a kid from Edwardsville who came from a loving home, but of very limited means. My mother raised 4 kids on a Waitress Salary; and although we never had a lot, she provided a loving warm home, and I never went to bed hungry. More importantly, she instilled a work ethic that enabled me to be confident enough in achieving my goals. Thanks, Mom!
As I complete this journey, I think back, and I can honestly say I did it the right way. No one can ever say different. I prided myself with being, honest, loyal, & compassionate, and every career move was made with my family being my top priority. Many of you have heard me say repeatedly "Family First". I have had to make some very difficult decisions along the way, and I've lost countless night's sleep making sure those decisions were the right decisions based upon the facts. I was told a long time ago that, if you lose your integrity, labeled untrustworthy, or a liar - then your career is over. Well, I believe that I am walking away with all 3 strongly intact.
During my career, I have been involved in many High-Profile Events: The Camp Hill Riot, the opening of SCI-Waymart, the opening of SCI-Mahanoy, the SCI-Greene Investigations, Lead Investigator on the Norman Johnson Escape from SCI-Huntingdon where I obtained confessions from two staff member who assisted him, Lead investigator in the McCloskey & Yang Escapes from SCI-Dallas. I obtained two very detailed statements that detailed the planning & execution of the escape. I was also present for the capture of both. Deputy Lorenzo & I developed the Intelligence Unit. First DOC member of the Homeland Security Terrorism Task Force, Assistant C.E.R.T. Leader during the SCI-Coal Township Riot, Interim Warden of Lackawanna County Prison, and Superintendent of SCI-Coal Township when Northumberland County Prison burned down, and we accepted all of their male inmates. We then converted an old C.I. Factory into a County Facility within the confines of SCI-Coal Township. To anyone's knowledge (this is the 1st time…?) (Researched by ACA) that a County Facility was run within a State Facility. They just recently left for their new facility. This is not an event but an interesting fact. In June of 1993 a carpool started to SCI-Mahanoy from Wilkes-Barre, in the carpool were Major Erickson, Captain McGrady, Lieutenant Mooney and Sargent Mahally that was then and this is now, today Superintendent Erickson retired from SCI-Retreat, Superintendent McGrady retired from SCI-Retreat, Superintendent Mooney will Retire from SCI-Retreat and Superintendent Mahally will (when he chooses to do so) Retire from SCI-Dallas. Although that is a conversation topic the best part of that carpool from 1993 is the fact that we all remain best friends to this day.
I have had the pleasure of working in 5 Facilities, and I have met some incredible people - some who will be friends for life, and they know who they are. I have had numerous people who I consider to be great mentors and offered me advice and criticisms as I have navigated through the ranks. In fact, there are 2 defining moments in my career that made me realize that everything matters. The 1st is when I was a Corrections Officer 1 when I was ordered to report to Superintendent Joe Ryan's Office. I was scared to death, but he sat me down and talked to me for over an hour. That conversation is something I'll never forget. Thank you, Mr. Ryan, and may you rest in peace. The 2nd was when I was a brand new Security Lieutenant, and I received my first evaluation which was endorsed by Major Charles Erickson. His comments made me realize how important seeing the bigger picture really was. I started looking at the big picture; and apparently, I got it - so thank you, Charlie.
The Department of Corrections has changed over the last 33 years, but I did not allow it to change who I am; and I hope you don't let it change you. Like I tell new people, be yourself. We hired you because of who you are; not to be somebody you think you need to be.
This Department has provided very well for me and my family. It helped me raise 3 amazing children who have grown up to be awesome adults that I am very proud of. I am also blessed to have 4 wonderful and beautiful grandchildren, and I look forward to being a full time Pop. In addition to being a full-time Pop, I am also extremely excited about being a full-time husband to Debbie (no more disturbing calls or having to leave special occasions) and a full-time step dad to Aiden. He is very active in sports, and that keeps us very busy which is awesome. Now I can enjoy his success without having to squeeze work in.
There is a group of people who made me look good every day and "cleaned me up" on every memo, and that group consists of all those who worked alongside me as my Secretary and/or Assistant. Marie, Pixie, Hank, Lil Missy, Michelle, Amy, Karen, Trish (my former Assistant), Tina (my former Assistant), Sue, Jen (now my Assistant), & finally – Marilyn. I can't thank them enough for everything they have done over the years to keep this very eclectic guy organized and made me look good every day! Thanks, Guys, you're all the best!
Finally, my dad died very young; and he never was able to see even my 1st promotion. There is something I'd like to share that I have kept private until now. That is on the day of every promotion (6 times total), I would visit my dad's grave site to let him know. One of the proudest moments was April 12, 2013, when I made Superintendent. Well, on Friday, November 16, 2018, I'll visit my dad to let him know that my career is now over; and I'm on to the next chapter of my life. I know he would be extremely proud.
I want to thank everyone for what you do every day because, unfortunately, this profession is not a glamorous one; and people normally don't know what we do on a daily basis - like the verbal & physical abuse we endure routinely. Unless you have done what we do, you can't understand what we do. It's not a TV show; it's real. And I'm ready to not receive the bad calls - the calls where your heart skips a beat, and you leave wherever you are and go. I'm also ready to finally BE OFF, because for the last 6 Years, even when I was not here, I was never actually off no matter where we were. Although I will no longer be responding, believe that I will always care and pray for everyone's safety so you can enjoy what I'm about to enjoy. Stand tall, watch each other's back, help each other, & stay safe. And, as former Superintendent Gillis told me, "Keep your Eye on the Prize". The prize is a big fat check every month.
My time has come to say goodbye; and on Friday, November 16th, I will walk out with my head held high with zero regrets on a very blessed career. Thank You, Goodbye, God Bless You, and GO IRISH…!!!