Pennsylvania Corrections Employee to be Recognized by National Association

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Earlier this year, the American Jail Association -- as part of its 35^th anniversary celebration -- accepted nominations for young industry leaders.  Called "35 under 35," the AJA was looking to highlight the best corrections professionals under the age of 35 who "are making a positive impact on the corrections profession early in their career." 

Nominations were due in October, and selections were made in November.  Among those set to be recognized in the January/February 2016 issue of American Jails, is Pennsylvania's Thomas Greishaw. 

Greishaw, 34, is the director of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections' Office of County Inspections and Services.  The office is responsible for inspecting Pennsylvania county prisons – which are not under the jurisdiction of the DOC – to ensure they operate in accordance with Title 37, the commonwealth's minimum operating standards for county prisons and jail. 

"Tom truly is the epitome of a corrections professional," said DOC Executive Deputy Secretary Shirley Moore Smeal.  "Based on his conscientious determination, unwavering integrity and concern for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations, Tom's recognition as one of the 35 under 35 is well deserved."

Greishaw, who started college work-study with the DOC in 2001 and held an internship in 2003 from Gannon University, began his DOC employment in 2004 working for the Erie Community Corrections Center.  He transferred to a Philadelphia CCC serving as a counselor in 2008.  Later that same year, he transferred to the Harrisburg CCC.  In 2009, he began working as the regional State Intermediate Punishment coordinator for the DOC's Bureau of Community Corrections.  For a period of time in 2011, he served as an acting contract facility coordinator.  He then served as staff assistant to the DOC's executive deputy secretary from 2011 until 2013, when he was appointed to his current position.

Greishaw, who is a DOC representative on the board of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, has received numerous letters of appreciation from county prison wardens in appreciation for his recommendations, direction and advice.

Nominated by his coworkers for the AJA recognition, Tom's nomination packet highlighted:

• Notable improvement in the approval ratings of the work and direction of his office.
• Successful and effective ways that Tom has assisted counties to ensure documentation for their inspections, which resulted in time savings for county staff and DOC inspectors.
• Ability to research and provide "best practice" resources for every county jail in Pennsylvania.
• Willingness to reach out to assist Pennsylvania county jails in their implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
• Recognition for his assistance provided to Northumberland County Prison and the sharing of resources following a fire that completely destroyed their prison and resulted in the relocation of approximately 300 inmates.
• Willingness to assist counties within and outside of Pennsylvania via the Chief Prison Inspector's network.

Media contact: Susan McNaughton, 717-728-4025

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us