SCI Pine Grove is a state prison located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The facility was opened in 2001 and is primarily designed to house young adult male offenders between the ages of 15-20 who have been adjudicated as adults due to the nature of the criminal offense committed. The Young Adult Offender Program (YAOP) at SCI Pine Grove is run as a therapeutic community providing the unique population with the opportunity to mature in a nurturing environment.
Groundbreaking for SCI Pine Grove occurred in May 1998, as part of an administrative initiative to provide the young adult offender population their own institution. The facility houses regular adult male offenders in addition to young adult offenders. The YAOP is a comprehensive program that offers a range of services, including education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment. The program is designed to help young offenders develop the skills necessary to become productive members of society upon their release.
Visitors to SCI Pine Grove are reminded that visits must be scheduled online at least three days in advance. The In-Person Visitation program resumed in 2021 after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors are required to comply with reduced visiting room capacity limits, and those who arrive at the facility without an appointment will not be permitted to visit.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 1,253 |
| Physical Address | 189 Fyock Road Indiana, PA 15701 |
| Mailing Address | Smart Communications/PADOC Inmate Name/Inmate Number Institution PO Box 33028 St Petersburg, FL 33733 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (724) 465-9630 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
SCI Pine Grove is a state correctional institution located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. It was established in January 2001 as part of an administrative initiative to provide a separate institution for the Young Adult Offender population. The entire Young Adult Offender Program (YAOP) is run as a therapeutic community providing this unique population the opportunity to mature in a nurturing environment.
History
Groundbreaking for SCI Pine Grove occurred on May 11, 1998, and it has since served as a correctional facility for male offenders. The facility primarily houses Young Adult Offender males between the ages of 15-20 who have been adjudicated as adults due to the nature of the criminal offense committed. The YAOP is designed to provide a therapeutic community for the young adult offender population.
Location
SCI Pine Grove is located four miles northeast of the Borough of Indiana, in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Since 2013, the Borough of Indiana has been home to the Indiana County Jail, which is operated by the Indiana County Sheriff’s Office. The facility is situated on approximately 112 acres of land, with 29.5 acres located inside a perimeter fence.
Facilities
The physical plant at SCI Pine Grove consists of five permanent housing units, one temporary modular housing unit, an infirmary, and an education/activities complex, as well as maintenance. The facility is staffed by a team of dedicated professionals who provide a wide range of services to offenders, including medical care, mental health services, and educational and vocational programs.
Overall, SCI Pine Grove is a state-of-the-art correctional facility that provides a safe and secure environment for the young adult offender population. The facility is committed to providing a therapeutic community that promotes personal growth and development, as well as rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Visitation
Visitation is an important aspect of life for inmates at SCI Pine Grove. It allows them to maintain relationships with loved ones and friends and provides them with a sense of connection to the outside world.
In-Person Visitation
In-person visitation is currently available at SCI Pine Grove. Visitors must schedule their visits online at least three days in advance. To comply with reduced visiting room capacity limits, visitors who arrive at a facility without an appointment will be turned away. Available visitation timeslots are determined by each facility, based on an inmate’s housing location within the prison. Each visit will be at least one hour in duration.
Visitors should review the detailed Visitor Guide provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections prior to their visit. The guide contains important information about what to expect during the visit, including dress codes, prohibited items, and rules for conduct.
All non-legal in-person visits are monitored and recorded. Visitors should be aware that any inappropriate behavior during the visit may result in the termination of the visit and/or suspension of future visits.
It is important to note that in-person visitation may be suspended or restricted at any time due to security concerns or other factors. Visitors should check the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections website or contact SCI Pine Grove directly for the most up-to-date information on visitation policies and procedures.
Housing Units
Description
SCI Pine Grove has a total of 12 housing units, including two units that consist of both cell and dormitory-style housing. The facility also has separate housing units for geriatric and terminally ill male inmates. Each housing unit has its own dining hall, recreation area, and outdoor space. The cells in each unit are designed to hold two inmates, but some units have cells with a capacity of four inmates.
The housing units at SCI Pine Grove are designed to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates while also allowing them to participate in programs and activities that promote rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. Inmates in the general population are allowed to participate in a variety of educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs, including substance abuse treatment, anger management, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Inmate Population
As of June 14, 2023, the average age of inmates at SCI Pine Grove is 38.3 years old, with 39% of the population being young adult offenders. The facility has a total inmate population of approximately 1,700. The geriatric and terminally ill housing units house a smaller number of inmates who require specialized care.
The housing units at SCI Pine Grove are designed to accommodate the diverse needs of the inmate population while also maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and inmates. The facility’s staff work closely with inmates to ensure that their needs are met and that they have access to the programs and services that will help them successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
Programs and Services
SCI Pine Grove offers a variety of programs and services to inmates to help them prepare for reentry into society. These programs and services are designed to help inmates develop skills, gain knowledge, and build confidence to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
Young Adult Offender Program
The Young Adult Offender Program (YAOP) is a unique program offered at SCI Pine Grove. It is a therapeutic community that provides young adult offenders between the ages of 15-20 with the opportunity to mature in a nurturing environment. The program is designed to help inmates develop life skills, improve their decision-making abilities, and address issues that led to their incarceration. The entire YAOP is run as a therapeutic community, which means that the inmates are responsible for running the program themselves, with guidance from staff members.
Inmate Education
Inmate education is an important part of the rehabilitation process at SCI Pine Grove. The facility offers a variety of educational programs, including adult basic education, GED preparation, and vocational training. Inmates can also participate in college courses through partnerships with local colleges and universities. The educational programs at SCI Pine Grove are designed to help inmates gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce and in life.
Inmate Employment
Inmate employment is another important aspect of the rehabilitation process at SCI Pine Grove. Inmates can work in a variety of jobs at the facility, including food service, maintenance, and clerical work. In addition, the facility has partnerships with local businesses to provide inmates with job training and employment opportunities upon their release. Inmate employment not only provides inmates with valuable work experience, but it also helps them develop a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility.
Notable Inmates
Jeremy R. Smith
Jeremy R. Smith is a former inmate at SCI Pine Grove who gained national attention for his involvement in a high-profile criminal case. Smith was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, Melissa Ketunuti, a pediatrician who worked at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The murder occurred in January 2013, and Smith was arrested a few days later.
Smith’s trial was highly publicized, and he was eventually found guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During the trial, it was revealed that Smith had a history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, the jury ultimately found that he was legally responsible for his actions.
Smith’s case raised questions about the treatment of mental illness in the criminal justice system and sparked a debate about the death penalty. Some argued that Smith’s mental illness should have been taken into account during his trial and that he should have been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Others argued that his crime was too heinous to warrant anything less than the death penalty.
Despite the controversy surrounding his case, Smith is currently serving his sentence at SCI Pine Grove. He has not made any public statements since his conviction, and little is known about his life in prison.