PA Corrections Department Steps Up Recruiting Efforts With Mobile Unit.

CAMP HILL, Pa., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Corrections Secretary Jeffrey A. Beard, Ph.D., today unveiled the department's first Mobile Recruitment Unit (MRU), part of an initiative to step up its recruitment efforts - particularly those aimed at attracting minority and female applicants.

"It is critical for our department's workforce to reflect the diverse nature of the corrections environment," Beard said. "Female and minority recruitment has always been a major initiative of the Department of Corrections because more than 64 percent of our inmate population is minority, and it is sound correctional practice to employ staff with minority backgrounds. We know that diversity is a strength and a key to the success of our department."

The Mobile Recruitment Unit will allow recruiters to direct their activities in various minority and ethnic neighborhoods and every area of the state. The van, which is equipped with workstations and computers, will allow the DOC to eliminate the need to rent space for recruitment activities at various job fairs and venues. In addition, it will allow people to file applications through the Internet to shorten the application process.

"The MRU will allow us to go into the community and make direct contact with the people, where we can better educate everyone about what we do and about how a career in corrections is not only a good job, but it can be a rewarding job with many avenues for success and promotion," Beard said.

The MRU was customized by Pennsylvania Correctional Industries, a bureau of the Corrections Department, using inmate labor at State Correctional Institutions Albion and Coal Township.

Minorities represent 10.2 percent of the DOC workforce; women represent about 23 percent. Beard said the department has increased both the minority and female numbers in its workforce and that both groups are better represented in the management and administration ranks than they had been in the past.

   CONTACT:  Susan McNaughton             Acting Press Secretary             (717) 975-4862  

CONTACT: Susan McNaughton, Acting Press Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, +1-717-975-4862

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/