Philadelphia Dept. of Prisons

09/25/2026

The Philadelphia Department of Prisons celebrated the graduation of New Leash on Life USA's Session # 41 — the "Beach Town Class" — on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. 🎓

For 15 years, New Leash on Life has partnered with PDP to provide participants with job-readiness training, life skills and hands-on experience training shelter dogs. With this graduating class, more than 400 PDP participants have completed the program, while more than 230 dogs have found permanent homes through adoption.

🎉 Congratulations to the Beach Town Class and thank you to New Leash on Life for 15 years of partnership and second chances — for people and pets.

New Leash on Life USA

09/25/2026

09/22/2026

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🇺🇸🥋 **ONE OF OUR OWN IS HEADED TO THE WORLD STAGE!** 🥋🇺🇸

The Philadelphia Department of Prisons proudly congratulates longtime Correctional Officer **Bobby Harris** on qualifying for the **U.S. National Team** and earning the opportunity to represent the **United States of America** at the **2026 ICO World Championships** in Thonon-les-Bains, France!

Harris will compete against elite martial artists from around the world during the international competition, scheduled for **October 15–18**. He will represent Team USA in two divisions: **35-and-over Light Heavyweight** and **45-and-over Light Heavyweight**.

But before heading overseas, Harris has another major competition on his schedule. From **October 8–10**, he will compete at the **Diamond National World Karate Championships** in Bloomington, Minnesota.

For years, Bobby has brought dedication, discipline and professionalism to the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. Now, those same qualities have helped earn him the honor of wearing the **red, white and blue** on the international stage.

The entire PDP family is behind you, Bobby!

We are incredibly proud to see **one of our own representing Philadelphia, the PDP and the United States of America on the world stage.**

🇺🇸 **TEAM USA. TEAM PDP. LET'S GO, BOBBY!** 🇺🇸

09/21/2026

On Monday, Sept. 22, we said goodbye to a longtime member of the PDP family.

Correctional Officer Sharon Grosvenor-James, badge # 4250, signed off for the final time. Officer Grosvenor-James joined the PDP in June of 2003 and she served the PDP and the city of Philadelphia with honor and distinction!

Congratulations, Officer Grosvenor-James! You are 10-42 for a final time. We wish you the very best in your next chapter!!!

09/18/2026

On Wednesday, September 16, the PDP was excited to welcome partners from the PA Department of Labor & Industry, Philadelphia Works, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Division of Vital Records to PICC for a Birth Certificate Clinic! Individuals housed at PICC had the opportunity to receive a copy of their birth certificate on the spot. This Reentry initiative removed an important barrier and helped make the transition home a little smoother. A great example of collaboration in action! Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success.

09/16/2026

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, we said goodbye to a longtime member of the PDP family.

Correctional Officer Ronald Barnett, badge # 3623, signed off for the final time. Officer Barnett joined the PDP in November of 1995, and he served the PDP and the city of Philadelphia with honor and distinction!

Congratulations, Officer Barnett! You are 10-42 for a final time. We wish you the very best in your next chapter!!!

09/11/2026

The Philadelphia Department of Prisons was honored today to stand shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, fellow first responders and representatives of our nation’s armed forces in solemn remembrance of the lives lost in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation witnessed unimaginable tragedy—and extraordinary courage. We remember those who lost their lives, and we honor the first responders and everyday heroes who, in a moment of tremendous danger, ran toward it rather than away from it. Many made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.

Today’s ceremony, held at the historic Betsy Ross House courtyard, gave us an opportunity to reflect, remember and reaffirm that the sacrifices made on September 11 will never be forgotten.

A special thank you to the Philadelphia Flag Day Association for continuing this sacred tradition of remembrance year after year.

**We remember. We honor. We will never forget. 🇺🇸**

09/09/2026

PDP IN FOCUS: Captain Melinda Medina
Correctional Captain, Security and Intelligence Unit and Security Chief, Riverside Correctional Facility
"Be prepared for everything."

It's been a busy summer for Captain Melinda Medina. Her daughter graduated college, her stepson graduated high school, and June 26 marked her 20th anniversary with the PDP. She and members of the Security and Intelligence Unit (SIU) also successfully completed a months-long project this summer: the Department-wide rollout and implementation of body-worn cameras. Medina was nominated for "PDP in Focus" by multiple colleagues for her work on the project, with one stating, "She took the reins, organized tasks, coordinated with the facilities, trained and developed staff, and even worked on continuous improvement throughout the rollout."

Medina and select SIU team members built the body-worn camera program from the ground up, developing training for line staff and tailoring implementation to each facility. "We came up with scenarios and simulations: how to use the cameras on a housing unit, when to activate the camera, things like that." As the cameras rolled out facility by facility, Medina worked with SIU and line staff across the Department to gather feedback and improve the process. "It was a good collab with a lot of good people."

Over her 20-year PDP career, Medina advanced from Correctional Officer to Captain, serving in a variety of facilities and roles along the way. Today, as part of SIU, she focuses on safety and security. "Anything that can compromise the safety of the jails, that's our lane." When an earthquake struck the region in 2024, her first instinct was to call the U.S. Facilities superintendent to check the building's integrity – a fitting example of her philosophy: "Be prepared for everything."

Captain Medina ended her summer with one more big change: On August 30, she got married. So, next time you see her, be sure to congratulate Captain MEDINA-SMITH on tying the knot!

09/01/2026

Congratulations to the 51 members of Correctional Officer Cadet Class 26-03, “Locked and Ready,” on successfully completing their training! 🎓

🎉 Congratulations are also due to newly promoted Deputy Wardens Katina Hinton and Orges Prifti.

🏆 Special thanks to newly appointed Philadelphia Managing Director Carlton Williams for delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, which was held at FOP Lodge #5 on August 28, 2026.

👏 We wish all of our graduates and newly promoted Deputy Wardens continued success as they serve the PDP and the City of Philadelphia.

▶ Watch video of the graduation ceremony on the PDP YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ta5A9raqKcs

Congratulations to the 51 members of Correctional Officer Cadet Cla...

08/31/2026

P.D.P. IN FOCUS: Annette Feggans
Education Instructor, PICC
“Don’t write to be understood, write so that you can’t possibly be misunderstood!”

Annette Feggans joined the PDP as a Correctional Officer in June 2004. While assigned to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, she noticed several incarcerated people on her housing block were all reading the same book. Sensing an opportunity for constructive engagement, Officer Feggans made a proposal: “If you all are reading the same book, come down at the end of the month and tell me what that book is about.” With the help of the housing block rep, a book discussion group was formed. This experience of facilitating learning stuck with Officer Feggans, leading her to apply for an Education Instructor job opening in 2012. She got the job, and nearly 15 years later, she’s still teaching.

As an Education Instructor with the PDP Education Department, Mrs. Feggans assesses the educational needs of incarcerated people and helps connect them with opportunities to strengthen their literacy, develop their skills, and earn their GED. From there, they can enroll in workforce training programs like HVAC or pursue a college degree.

Instructors at the PDP Education Department collaborate to best serve their students. “If I can’t help with something, I can call on another instructor to step in,” said Mrs. Feggans. “We all help each other.”

For Mrs. Feggans, the most rewarding part of her job is, “Knowing that I made a difference in one person’s life by motivating them and building their skills up with confidence.” She meets each student where they are, identifies what they need, and helps them believe they can achieve even more. “As long as you come to class every day, I’ll get you where you need to be.”

Philadelphia Office of Human Resources