On Feb. 25, SCI Waymart held a graduation ceremony for inmates who completed the Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) program, increasing the prison's number of CPSS inmates from 17 to 31. Keynote speakers at the ceremony was CPSS program manager Kaitlyn Simon and DOC Mental Health Advocate Lynne Patrone.
The CPSS program began statewide several years ago to help inmates to deescalate situations that could otherwise get them into trouble or earn them misconducts. Today, statewide, the DOC has approximately 500 inmate CPSS'.
CPSS' are inmates who have had experience with mental health systems and who are now able to complete training to become certified in this area. They are employed in several areas within a facility to help serve the inmate population. In many cases they help to deescalate situations. They also are helpful to staff in the day-to-day operation of the facility and are used in specialized housing units and even infirmaries.
The first group of CPSS' at Waymart graduated on July 20, 2018.
Inmates spend two 40-hours weeks dedicated to learning CPSS skills. The professional certification inmates earn transfers with them to the community upon their release from prison and provides opportunities for competitive employment in the mental health field.