The Pennsylvania Prison Society, a nonprofit founded in 1787 by Revolutionary leaders including Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush, is seeking additional volunteers throughout the Commonwealth. The organization monitors prison conditions, assists inmates with paperwork and policy questions, and helps families stay connected during incarceration.
Volunteer Corps Expands Amid Gaps in Rural Areas
With a full‑time staff of 25 and roughly 250 trained monitors statewide, the Society relies on volunteers to conduct private visits with inmates and to relay information to families. Last year the group responded to 14,000 letters and phone calls on its family helpline, and 3,500 volunteers logged hours in the program.
While volunteer numbers are strong in urban centers such as Philadelphia and State College, the Society’s director of prison monitoring, Noah Barth, says Fayette, Greene and Washington counties need more hands. “We’re limited, and that means we’re slower to respond,” Barth explained. “One of my tasks is to help build our network so anyone anywhere in the state can get a visit in a timely manner.”
How Volunteers Help Inmates and Families
When an inmate or family member contacts the Society with a concern—ranging from a rumor of a lockdown to a request for medication—volunteers are dispatched to meet the individual, listen to their issue, and report back to the prison administration. Barth gave an example of an inmate on long‑term antipsychotic medication who had not received his dose. A volunteer flagged the issue, prompting staff to send a nurse to check on the inmate.
Volunteers also assist with practical matters such as setting up visitor accounts, clarifying prison policies and helping inmates “untangle the wires” of bureaucratic processes. By acting as a bridge between incarcerated individuals and prison officials, volunteers aim to ensure that concerns are addressed promptly and respectfully.
Local Voices Share Their Experience
Christopher McKenzie, a resident of Carmichaels, has been volunteering for a year and a half in SCI‑Fayette, SCI‑Greene and the Allegheny County Jail. He says the work aligns with his values and provides a sense of purpose. “When you feel heard, it means the world,” he said, noting how grateful inmates are for a compassionate listener.
McKenzie adds that in more remote counties, the need for volunteers is especially acute because inmates may be far from family. “People there have an additional level of desperation to talk to someone who will listen without judgment,” he explained.
How to Get Involved
The Society holds bimonthly online information sessions where Barth presents the program and answers questions. Interested individuals can sign up via a short link (bit.ly/4hgFFTB), complete a Zoom interview, undergo a background check and participate in a multi‑step training process before being paired with an experienced volunteer or staff member for field visits.
Barth emphasizes that the Society’s work is rooted in the belief that every person deserves dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances. “We get thank‑you letters and calls all the time about how much it mattered to them and their families,” he said.
Historical Roots and Ongoing Mission
The Pennsylvania Prison Society’s right to conduct independent oversight was enshrined by the state legislature, allowing it to meet privately with inmates and inspect living conditions. The organization’s long history—from the Walnut Street Jail to the opening of Eastern State Penitentiary in 1829—reflects a continued commitment to humane treatment and transparency in the criminal‑justice system.
As the Society expands its volunteer network, it hopes to bring its compassionate model of oversight to every corner of Pennsylvania, ensuring that inmates are heard, families stay connected, and prison administrations are held accountable.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
