Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel Presented with AWEC Legacy Award

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel recently was presented with the Association of Women Executives in Corrections' (AWEC) Legacy Award for his work in the area of furthering and fostering women's achievements in the field of corrections.

Presented during AWEC's19th Annual Training Conference in New Oleans, La., on Sunday, September 20, 2015, Wetzel joins the ranks of Arkansas Department of Correction Director Ray Hobbs and Dr. Diane Schlachter, who provides management and organizational development services through her Atlanta-based business.

"I am honored to receive this award on behalf of our executive team at the PA DOC," Secretary Wetzel said. "In a traditionally male dominated field, we find diversity to be an essential part of the fabric of our organization. I am not only proud of our staff… I am also proud of the fact that all our staff, male and female, have a real opportunity to progress professionally. Many of our female staff are not only leaders in this state, but leaders nationally."

From his executive deputy secretary to his special assistants, Wetzel's senior staff team is comprised mostly of women. Several of the department's bureaus and offices also are led by women, and one third of his 27 state prison facilities is headed by a female superintendent.  Twenty-five percent of the DOC overall workforce is comprised of women. 

Since Wetzel began his term at the DOC, he has made the development of female employees a priority. This first came to light through the continuation of the DOC's annual empowerment symposiums and through his holding of an Executive Leadership Development Institute for Women - a one-day seminar focusing on women in corrections.

Wetzel has a cooperative relationship with AWEC officials and has volunteered resources to assist them in their mission of providing leadership development for women in corrections.

Since 1996, AWEC has operated to offer opportunities and support to top female executives and senior managers in corrections and to mentor emerging leaders, consistent with its "each one . . . teach one" philosophy. AWEC is over 200 members strong, with members throughout the country in public and private, institutional and community correctional facilities.

AWEC's mission is to provide leadership development for executive women, support the career advancement of women in corrections, and promote informed discussion of correctional issues in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

To learn more about AWEC, visit www.awec.us.

Media contact: Susan McNaughton, 717-728-4025

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us