Parole Field Services has been working with the DOC Mentoring Program since the MOU to develop a mentoring program which models the DOC's. The program kicked off officially with the appointment of Regional Training Coordinators Michael Willis, Tammy Makin and Kathy Bolonski. The Regional Training Coordinators nominated Local Mentoring Coordinators for all parole office sites throughout the state and formal training was held at the DOC Training Academy on Feb. 28 and March 1. The training was conducted by AnneMarie Swanlek, the DOC Western Region Chief at the Bureau of Corrections Education, Christiana Smith, DATS at SCI Pine Grove, and Jamey Luther, Superintendent at SCI Smithfield.
The training consisted of a review of the statewide policy to include the necessary forms that need to be filled out by both mentors and mentees; quarterly reports that are due; and the basic 4-hour training for new mentors. This training reviews what makes a good mentor, some "do's" and "don't's" in working with a mentee and who would benefit the most from having a mentor.
The Local Mentoring Coordinators returned to their offices throughout the Commonwealth and immediately began recruiting mentors and organizing trainings.
"Mentoring is a big part of what we already do in the field with new agents. This program will expand upon what we already do, and it will encourage and empower staff to look to their future goals within the criminal justice field," said Deputy Secretary Christian Stephens, who, with Deputy Secretary Kelly Evans, worked to get the mentoring program up and running for parole. "We are so excited to get this up and running, and it appears the parole staff involved are equally as excited."
"Superintendent Luther, Ms. Swanlek and Ms. Smith played a vital role in teaching us about this program and how it should look. They worked with us to shape the program to fit into parole," said Deputy Secretary Kelly Evans, who was a part of initiating the dialogue regarding bringing this program to parole.
Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or mentee can reach out to their Local Mentoring Coordinator.
Philadelphia County Wide Division: Lakeisha Cooper
York Sub Office: Lacey Crane
Philadelphia North West Division: Latasha Fisher
Reading Sub Office: Natisha Hickson
Central Office: Christine Hoffman
Mercer District Office: Amy Landfair
Lancaster Sub Office: Christopher McGrath
Philadelphia Specialized Division: Caitlyn McLaughlin
Philadelphia West Division: Michael Micciche
Central Office: Belinda Nester
Allentown District Office: Byron Rice
Wernersville Sub Office: Lara Ruesch
Pittsburgh District Office: Nathan Simon
Harrisburg District Office: Shane Strohecker
Scranton District Office: Jason Westgate
Erie District Office: James Wright
If your office does not have a coordinator listed, please feel free to reach out to the Regional Mentoring Coordinators.
Eastern Region: Michael Willis
Central Region: Kathy Bolonski
Western Region: Tammy Makin