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 Blog Post

Women's History Month: SCI Somerset

Tags: Somerset
March 31, 2019 12:00 AM
By: DOC Staff

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​​​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.

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Diana Kolesar
Registered Nurse Supervisor
SCI Somerset

Diana Kolesar is a registered nurse supervisor (RNS) at SCI Somerset. Having worked for the DOC since June 1996 at SCI Greensburg and at SCI Somerset since 20015, she has held the position of licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), registered nurse supervisor (RNS), and for a short time acting corrections health care administrator. She continues to embrace her role as a correctional nurse. Through hard work and educational endeavors, Diana has risen through the nursing ranks to her current position at RNS. 

Her leadership role as an RNS resonates throughout the Medical Department.  Her knowledge of not only day-to-day activities, but also additional assignments such as American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditation files are exemplary. Finally, her patience and mentoring of new staff also is above reproach. 

Diana is one of the primary reasons the Medical Department has had the success it has over the recent years.  


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Melanie Pyle
Corrections Classification and Program Manager
SCI Somerset

Melanie Pyle, an employee of SCI Somerset for 13 years, serves as classification and program manager and is an integral part of the prison. She knows the people as well as the history of the facility and is a wealth of knowledge.  

Melanie has held several leadership roles and has excelled in them. She is well respected, well liked and she is known as a go-to person. 

She began her SCI Somerset career as a corrections counselor 2 in August 2005. Since then she's served as unit manager, and began her current role in May 2018. She also has served temporarily/out-of-class as the facility's corrections classification program manager, deputy superintendent for centralized services, and her current position of major of unit management.

In addition to her regular responsibilities, she serves on several committees and is always willing to go the extra mile for the people at SCI Somerset. She has also initiated various programs for the inmate population. 

Melanie is a true asset to this institution and she has a bright future in Corrections.


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Melissa Barnette
Corrections Officer 1
SCI Somerset

Melissa Barnette – who has worked as a corrections officer at SCI Somerset and SCI Benner – began her corrections career as a corrections officer trainee at SCI Cresson in October 2002. 

She is a respected officer and is always willing to do what is necessary to get the job done. She is well liked, energetic and enthusiastic. 

Melissa often provides support to staff and can be counted on to lighten difficult moments and improve the spirits of people around her. She is a valued member SCI Somerset's CISM team and Mentoring Committee.

Her continued hard work, professionalism and dedication to SCI Somerset earned her Mentor of the Year at the facility.


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