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Guide to the THE PROGRAM For Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania, Inc. Records 1977-1997

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
THE PROGRAM For Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania, Inc. Records
Creator
THE PROGRAM For Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania, Inc.(Pittsburgh, Pa)
Collection Number
MSS 0859
Extent
1.5 linear feet (2 boxes)
Date
1977-1997
Abstract
The PROGRAM for Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania was founded in 1974 with the goal to aid female offenders with job placement and counseling. Since its founding the PROGRAM has grown to include many other services, most notably the residential programs which began in 1985. The records pertain primarily to the everyday running of the PROGRAM and include correspondence, photocopies of newspaper articles, meeting minutes, operational procedures, reports, and financial records. The collection also includes records relating to affiliate organizations including the PROGRAM of Greater Harrisburg and Renewal, Inc.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Stephanie Johnson.
Sponsor
This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

The PROGRAM for Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania began in the spring of 1974, under the auspices of the Allegheny County Probation Department and as part of a Philadelphia-based agency. Two years later in 1976, the PROGRAM became autonomous in order to further its goal to aid female offenders with job placement and counseling. In 1977, the PROGRAM received contracts with Allegheny County's Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, allowing clients to receive subsidized employment, and became a part of the United Way. With these opportunities, the agency expanded services to include job training as well as placement. With the continued success of the PROGRAM, several affiliated agencies were opened around the state including agencies in Harrisburg, Allentown, and Philadelphia.

As a response to jail overcrowding the PROGRAM opened The Program Center in 1985. The Center, a residential facility in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, offered an alternative to jail for nonviolent offenders. Residents were offered the chance to take job training and parenting classes, and become employed or attend school. In 1988, Renewal, Inc., an agency serving male offender became an affiliate of the PROGRAM. While affiliated with the PROGRAM, Renewal ran residential centers in Homestead and downtown Pittsburgh.

In the late 1980's the PROGRAM began to offer the Rebecca J. Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund, in memory of its former President of the Board of Directors. The scholarship is given to the child of one of the PROGRAM's clients in order to further their education. The PROGRAM has continued to grow and its services now include residential alternatives to incarceration, inpatient substance abuse treatment, case management, supportive counseling, job search and placement, and family reunification services.

Scope and Content Notes

THE PROGRAM For Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania, Inc. Records include correspondence, photocopies of newspaper articles, meeting minutes, operational procedures, reports, and financial records related to the running of the PROGRAM. These records focus primarily on meeting minutes and correspondence related to the activities of the executive board including relations with affiliate programs, fundraising, and public relations efforts. The PROGRAM bylaws, operational procedures, and affiliate agreements are also present in the collection. Also included are records related to the organization's scholarship program and personnel committee. Many of the articles and reports focus primarily on the circumstances related to women in prisons as well as those involved with the PROGRAM and similar organizations. The collection also includes records from affiliate organizations including the PROGRAM for Female Offenders of Greater Harrisburg and Renewal, Inc., a program for male offenders.

Conditions Governing Access

None

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Fran Colecchia in 2012.

Archives accession # 2012.0169

Preferred Citation

THE PROGRAM For Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania, Inc. Records, 1977-1997, MSS 0859 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

Preliminary processing by Stephanie Johnson on 11/2/2012.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Renewal Inc (Pittsburgh, Pa)
    • THE PROGRAM For Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania, Inc.(Pittsburgh, Pa)
    • THE PROGRAM For Female Offenders of the Greater Harrisburg Area (Harrisburg, Pa)

    Other Subjects

    • Female offenders--Services for-- Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
    • Female offenders--Rehabilitation--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
    • Work release of prisoners--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh

Container List