Members of the Southeast Delegation of the PA General Assembly had the opportunity to meet with nearly a dozen lifers and long-term inmates at SCI Chester on July 11.
The program began with a request from the lifers to SCI Chester Superintendent Marirosa Lamas asking for the opportunity to meet with the elected officials to share their positive experiences regarding their incarceration. Your first reaction may be that an inmate views their incarceration as a positive experience? Yes, the inmates requested the meeting to share their personal stories of how the experience aided them in turning their lives around! From there, Supt. Lamas reached out to the DOC Office of Policy, Grants and Legislative Affairs requesting a meeting with the elected officials.
The program kicked off with Supt. Lamas welcoming the participants and discussing the role of the corrections staff in overseeing the inmates. From there the program was turned over to the inmates to share their stories. Some spoke about how the experience of incarceration has changed them for the better and, in some cases, saved their lives. They spoke about their respect for their victims and families and the importance the impact of their crimes had on these individuals. They highlighted the numerous programs they are involved with that provide support to the local community such as Read to Your Child, the WAGS Dog program, Turkeys to Seniors Food Drive, Children Advancing Towards Success and the Bookbags for School programs. Via a video, the participants saw first-hand, how these programs are having a positive impact on the community. The inmates wanted to show that while they can't erase the mistakes of the past, they can change and be a valuable member of society fighting to improve their communities even while they are incarcerated.
Others spoke about how their incarceration has provided them with the opportunity to receive an education, learn a skill, provide stability and change their way of thinking. They talked about how the SCI staff, including counselors, instructors, corrections officers and leadership, work to try and create a positive environment to help them grow. Some spoke to the brotherhood they have developed with others giving them a family which they may not have previously experienced. It gave them the opportunity to show that people can change and be prepared to reenter society. Their goal was simple: They wanted to place a name and face behind their stories as they work to rehabilitate themselves and prepare for possible reentry to society. They requested the General Assembly consider changes to the law to provide them with the opportunity to have a second chance hearing.
Following the presentation, the group took a break which allowed elected officials the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the inmates. Some members opted to take a short tour of SCI Chester where they saw the Barber Program and a visit a housing unit where they learned about the WAGS dog program. The officials had the chance to meet the some of the dogs and their trainers to hear first-hand how the program helps the inmates grow all while providing a "forever friend" dog to someone in need in the local community.
Following the one-on-one meetings and tour, the group reconvened to learn about the aging population of inmates and the need for aging-related services. The issue of streamlining the compassionate release program was presented at which time the inmates asked for the opportunity to be considered for release if they have remorse for their crimes and become seriously ill. They discussed how they are prepared to return to society to live out their final days.
In all, the inmates had the opportunity to share their stories with 10 members of the General Assembly and their staff. Represented were the elected officials or staff from the offices of Sen. Muth, Sen. Street, Sen Farnese, Sen Killion, Sen. Kearney, Rep. Cutler, Rep. Burgos, Rep. Bullock, Rep. Delissio, and Rep. Zabel.
The program has already had an impact on the elected officials who attended. The DOC has received emails thanking us for the program. Many of the officials and staff appreciated the opportunity to meet with and hear from the lifers. They commented that the inmates have a lot of knowledge and believe that their experiences can help people if they are provided the opportunity to return and work within their local communities.
Thanks to Supt. Lamas, Superintendent Assistant Mandee Quinn and the CO team at SCI Chester for assisting with this event.