Commonwealth University-Mansfield Criminal Justice Students Tour Muncy Prison

In late September, a contingent of 12 Commonwealth University-Mansfield students, joined by Dr. Justin Crowl, associate professor of criminal justice (CJ), toured State Correctional Institution-Muncy (SCI). The students are members of the Mansfield Criminal Justice Club, an active club that promotes scholarly discussion of CJ topics and participates in professional activities and social events.

SCI Muncy, once known as the Industrial School for Women, is a state correctional institution that houses adult female offenders. Operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the prison serves as the classification center for all women entering the state prison system. The prison is home to around 1,000 female adult offenders, some of whom are serving life sentences.

The tour was led by Major Elias Stevens and Unit Manager Scott. During the tour, students were able to visit several housing units including those used for classification, mental health, restricted housing and general population. Students were able to see the infirmary and a female veteran housing unit. They were also shown the young adult offender program as well as the service dog training program, both of which are popular programs at Muncy.

Students enjoyed the opportunity to go behind the walls to learn more about corrections, prison management, rehabilitation and prison culture.

Students who participated in the visit were: Cordasia Adams, of Philadelphia; Samantha Albright, of Dushore; Cassidy Clarke, of Philadelphia; Paige Grant, of Galeton; Brianna Grow, of Tunkhannock; ShNell Harley, of Philadelphia; Carlie Jensen, of Waterloo, New York; Calista Nohai-Seaman, of Rocky Point, New York; Meghan Reichelderfer, of Harrisburg; Tatyana Singleton, of Philadelphia; Morgan Smith, of Spring Mills; and Imari VanDyke, of Ithaca, New York.