On November 16, various state and local officials, including Representative Jim Struzzi and representatives from Senator Don White's Office, toured SCI Pine Grove. Prison officials provide tours on a regular basis to officials and college students in an effort to educate the public about its operations.
Attendees seemed to enjoy the tour, which was kicked off with an overview provided by Superintendent Lee Estock. The superintendent also discussed the agency and facility's fight against the opioid epidemic.
During this tour, attendees were shown a general population housing unit, the chapel, education department, parole offices and the activities area. In addition, they were shown the Young Adult Offender unit and the prison's reception unit. At each area, key staff provided information about their areas.
Always a highlight of prison tours are the various dog training programs. At SCI Pine Grove, Deputy Superintendent for Centralized Services Billie Heide providing information on the prison's dog training program, New Hope Dog Program.