In honor of Women's History Month, the Department of Corrections will highlight some of the exceptional women who work for the DOC and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. We are grateful for the wonderful women who work in Pennsylvania's criminal justice system.
Amanda Ortiz
Corrections Officer 2
SCI Cambridge Springs
Sgt. Amanda Ortiz was born and raised in Erie, Pa., and has been employed with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for fifteen years. Prior to her employment with the DOC, she worked as a nurse's assistant in Erie.
Amanda worked in the Restricted Housing Unit at the State Correctional Institution in Cambridge Springs for many years prior to her promotion to sergeant in June 2015.
She has a good rapport with her co-workers and inmate population. She has an unmatched work ethic and is known for her humor and no-nonsense approach to corrections.
Officials at SCI Cambridge Springs say that Amanda is a pleasure to work with.
Carolyn Renee Dempsey
Corrections Counselor 2/Treatment Specialist
SCI Cambridge Springs
Carolyn Renee Dempsey is a corrections counselor 2 at SCI Cambridge Springs, where she has worked for more than 11 years.
In 2008, the DOC decided to create a dedicated treatment specialist position for corrections counselors. This ensured that treatment programs were prioritized and run effectively. Carolyn was selected to be one of the initial treatment specialists in the DOC, and she has been excelling in this position ever since.
Carolyn has strong organizational and group facilitation skills. Her groups are run to the highest standard. She was essential in transitioning SCI Cambridge Springs to gender specific standardized treatment programs.
Prison officials say Carolyn works every day to give their inmates the skills and knowledge they need to be healthy and productive members of our communities.
Shannon Anderson
Corrections Health Care Administrator
SCI Cambridge Springs
Shannon Anderson had been employed with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections since 2014; however, she worked in the institution as the health care administrator for the medical contractor beginning in 2009.
Shannon shows dedication to her job every single day. She has a sincere interest in providing the best health care to the inmates, while holding herself, her staff and the contractors to the highest level of standard and accountability. She comes into work every day with a purpose, enthusiasm and a smile. When asked, she will let you know how much she loves her job and working at SCI Cambridge Springs.