Quehanna Boot Camp

[jenpalmer71]

Quehanna Boot Camp
HC Box 32
Karthaus, PA 16845
(814)263-4125

The Quehanna Motivational Boot Camp opened in July 1992 as the state's first military-style motivational boot camp. Inmates assigned to the boot camp undergo a rigid six-month disciplinary and training progran which, if successfully completed, will result in their immediate release on parole. The minimum-security facility houses both male and female offenders. On the State Highway Map, it is referred to as Piper.

Key Staff

George N. Patrick, Superintendent

John C. Thomas, Deputy Superintendent, Commander-on-Site

John P. Reese, Major, Deputy Commander

Thomas F. Aaron, Executive Assistant

[leo8270]

I am new to this web site. I wanted to know if you would be able to help me get information about Quehanna Boot Camp. I may be going there soon. I just wanted some questions answered. I dont know much about the camp but I did want to get feedback from different people who had either did time there or visited anyone at the camp. Maybe you can quide me to a web site where I can get some questions answered.

Thanks

[tasha1127]

This website might help. There's alot of information in here that I found helpful.

Tasha

http://pcs.la.psu.edu/bootcamp2001/IntroandOverview.htm

[bethbupp]

I know some of you folks have been talking about the possibility of the boot camp being closed down. I haven't been paying a huge amount of attention, because it didn't apply to me. Well, my son called last night. He is a parole violator. I had NOT mentioned the boot camp rumour to him. Apparently, there are rumours flying around SCI Pine Grove that boot camp is being discontinued, and all of the parole violators in the state will be moved to Quehanna, instead of being kept at their home prison. Supposedly this is all happening in June. I'm taking this with a grain of salt, because I don't see how they could possibly fit all the PV's in Quehanna. There has to be too many of them. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

[bfawayinpa]

I haven't heard anything about it.My fiance is a violator and hasn't mentioned it but i'll ask him when i see him tomorrow.Hes in SCI Mahanoy.

[kismat62]

I think the talk of bootcamp being discontinued is on the Federal level not state. I recall reading something about it in USA Today during the winter months. From what I read the article was about closing of Federal Boot Camp programs because the were too costly and ineffective. Who knows?

[sunshyne1023]

Hi everybody,

My fiance is supposed to go to the Boot Camp after hit Parole Violation hit in August. He currently is in Camp Hill and the rumors are still flying about the Boot Camp closing. He did ask one of his supervisors/boss where he was working (the guy is pretty high up there too) if the rumor was true and he was told that DOC was ending the program at the end of the year of 2006. So apparently all of the men/women who are supposed to be going will be going, but I guess they will do away with the Boot Camp recommendation in the near future. That was they can get them all in. Who knows though....with the DOC anything can change in a heartbeat....we all know that. So, I just wanted to pass along the info.. NITE!!

[philly_dyme_215]

hi im new to this and i wanted to know if anyone was from philadelphia and had a loved one in quehanna boot camp because i need some info on how to get there if anyone knows anything please let me know

[RachelKaren]

Does anyone have any info on Quehanna Bootcamp? I tried looking up some sites for the DOC but couldn't really find much info. My b/f is suposed to be going there at the end of next month and I was wondering what it is like and about visits and mail and what you can send to them as well as what they can buy there. Thanks for the help !

[grannynut]

Hi Grannynut here. I also wanted some additional info on the Quehanna B/C i went tho their web siite and got some info there. But i would like to hear frist hand from someone who has been there or had someone that has gone through or might still be there. My son is suppose to go in a couple of months. He is at Camp Hill right now and says it is not to bad. Anyone wanting know about it can contact me. I write him everyday. If you have a love one in prison, please, please write to them everyday. Thanks

[weeza]

Its been awhile since I asked. I'm still trying to find out any information I can about Quehanna Boot Camp. Thanks.

Weeza

[RachelKaren]

Weeza, my boyfriend was just transferred there a few weeks ago. If you let me know what info you are looking for I will do my best to answer your questions.

[lifeonhold]

My son is excited thinking he may be able to apply for boot camp soon. He has served 2 years of a 4-8 sentence. Does anyone know much about boot camp? Who can qualify, where it is located etc. Is it for any particular type of crime, or is any ineligible?
Any info is helpful. thanks so much, and I wish everyone well.

[justreleased05]

I just came home from the bootcamp on july 18th . It was defintley a rough stop . But a rewarding stop in more ways then one . First i'm home 9 months before my minimum , second i learned a great deal there, alot more then i would have at a regular prison , and i also came home in the best shape of my life . We had a 6'4 370 pound guy in our platoon and he graduated weighing 270 . Just a few words of advise . Don't talk when your not supposed to , listen , study , and watch out for Sgt. Stewart, Sgt. Dixon, And officer Mays . Those guys are real pricks . Bootcamp is alot of mental and physical games . But if you pass along my advise and your loved ones can deal with those few things they will be just fine . I'd also i advise them to shave there hair before they go to get use to it and to shave everyday and brush there teeth in under 2 minutes and get used to 2 minute showers . And those times are no exageration . There first 6-8 weeks will be the very worst , but after that all will be fine . Visits are every other weekend and holidays , 1 weekend will be am visits 9-12 then the next will be pm visits 1230-330 . O advise them to get used to military time as well . Well i hope this helped. If you need more info feel free to pm or email me emsp4life@rcn.com JR in 05

[veronicaharris]

My boyfriend was at the boot camp 2 years ago and i visited him once. it is very far away and I got a lady number out the market and called, she took me and my boyfriends mother there. We left our houses around 4am and we got there around 8am

[StarAnge13]

Rachel,

My fiance is going there around October/November also and I was wondering the same thing. I found a few websites that might help http://pcs.la.psu.edu/bcspringbull2002.pdf#search='Quehanna%20Boot%20Cam p'
http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com...079/474383.stm
http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/cwp/...p?a=3&q=152904
That's about all I could find on the boot camp though. I am assuming that they do have a commisary there since on jpay.com, the boot camp is listed as an institution that you can send money to.
I also read that only immediate family can visit after it is approved by their CO. I was thinking that after a few months they are allowed 1 or 2 visits and only on the weekend.
You can also send mail - it doesn't matter where they go...they can always get mail. And he will be able to write.
I hope this helps you and maybe our bf's will be in together!
Carol

[justreleased05]

The bootcamp does have commisary, but it is all cosmitic stuff only. No food. Visits are every other weekend and friends may visit as well . 2 adults and 2 children . there are 3 phases at the bootcamp green phase is 10 weeks red phase is 10 weeks and gold phase is 4 weeks . In green phase you get 1 phone call a month red phase 2 phone calls then gold phase you get 3 a week plus you can buy phone time with the points you earned while working or going to school . Everything the is a privlage and has to be earned . If you have any specific bootcamp questions feel free to im me or email me . I just came home from there in July . how this helped. J R in 05

AIM: cnfx2fast300zx
Email: emsp4life@rcn.com

[RachelKaren]

Thank you so much for the info! He just moved into red phase so our boys and I are looking forward to that second 15 minute call a month ( thankyou to the oh so generous DOC ). He will be "graduating" Jan. 25, 2006 then a few weeks at a halfway house and FINALLY home with us (where he belongs!) as soon as the interstate transfer of parole goes thru. Thank you again for your help!

[sunshyne1023]

Hey everyone,

I know that this is going to vary from person to person...but what is the estimated time period for the process going to boot camp?

My fiance's counselor is just waiting for his new paper work (just turned over to his new number) before she can get his boot camp paper work started. What all does the next step entail? He is already eligible, but he said they have to send some sheets around for votes and stuff? What is the "stuff"..lol 15 minutes is never enough time to get all the details. And if and when the vote comes back yes, how often do they ship out of Camp Hill?
He got Paroled to his new case about a month or so ago, do you think it is feasible he could go before or around the first of the year? Or is the time process longer? His new sentence is 1 1/2-3 years w/ boot camp recommended?

I hope that all makes sense as I am headed out to my Aunts funeral, and I am a basket case as is without worring about him.

Thanks again everyone!
*sunshyne*

[wizkid79]

i am basically lookin for any info/ advice i can get on camp hill and quehanna. what kind of waiting period will i be lookin at before i can start bootcamp. what will my day to day routines be in quehanna and camp hill. is it hard to keep yourself out of trouble? and suggestions and info is greatly appreciated.

[bobble60]

Hi.
When you reach Camp Hill, you will go into a segregation unit for at least 10 days. During that time, you will be allowed out for yard or dayroom, depending on the weather. Meals are brought to the cells. You may get your first phone call, if your DC-8 is processed quickly. You can attend church services, use the library, and have visits (if your visiting list is approved quickly.)
After that segregation period, you will be moved to a "blues" block. You will be there as long as it takes them to classify you and ship you to a prison. You will have a little more freedom, but it's not general population. You must remember that a judge can only make you eligible for boot camp; he can't order you sent there. Only the DOC makes the final decision, based on their many cirteria. If they deny you boot camp, you will be sent to another prison, usually within the region form which your crime arose.
I have nothing on the daily routine at Quehanna.
Good luck.
bob

[BootCampSuccess]

Hello,

I can't believe I found a website that talks about this. I actually graduated from Quehanna Boot Camp in 1996 and it was honestly a life altering experience. If you are thinking of going or have someone that is able to go and no able to decide, my advice to you is go! I have become a much better person in all facets of life since going to boot camp. At the time, I was a young 22 year old white male with a high school diploma and some college, but got messed up with the wrong crowd and ended up getting arrested for numerous thefts in multiple counties. I was facing a 2-10 year stint in state and opted for Boot Camp and it was the best decision that I ever made. I spent 6 months in camp hill getting classified and preparing for Boot camp. If you are eligible you get placed in a special block with others, get your head shaved, and start working out (A must). Then it was off to the mountain. Quehanna is out in the middle of no where out in the mountains, and let me tell you. I was there over a winter and damn was it cold and snowed almost all the time (Makes for more fun PT in the snow...Yeah right).

Anyways, you know what is funny I was reading an article that just led me here and I saw that sergant Stewart was still there. That is pretty much the only sgt. I remember, that guy could PT all day and night without missing a beat. You will learn to respect him to the fullest. We actually had him march us in on our graduation day, because of this. Another person, now that I think of it was sgt. slippy, that guy also earned your respect, he was about 2 pullups away from a world record holder and let me tell you, he could do it. If you have been to Boot camp you will know what I am talking about. Sgt Steward loved those squat thrusts...like there was no tomorrow! I had nightmares about those for many years after I got out.

Anyways, I helped to build the new building that they are in as well as helped about 30 guys get there GED while there being a teachers helper since I was educated. I went to all of the counselling and PT with everyone else for 6 months straight. When I left that place I was scared straight, emotionally strong and physically at the top of my game.

Fast forward 10 years, I now live in Milwaukee, ( Bonus infor for those getting out of boot camp - move out of PA!!! It is a must) I have now been on probation here for going on my 9th year (10 total) and am due for release in June of this year. I have managed to get my life together with the help of my sister in WI. I went back to college and graduated at the top of my class. I have held many great jobs and currently work with computers in the field of IT. I am married and buying a home in the next few months and plan on starting a family very soon.

So in closing, I highly recommend that you go or send your love one to boot camp. If you have a loved one there, please write them and send a few pictures. It truely is the only thing that will get your through the experience. The first 2 weeks are the worst 2 weeks of your whole life (orientation) you are PT until you can't move or stand anymore at least 16 hours a day,everyday. The next 4 months you start school, working, and counselling. And the last month or two you continue above items but they start to rebuild you and your life at this point and work on your reintroduction back into society. Like I said earlier, it was truely a life altering time.

Please feel free to message me here to discuss more,

Thanks,
T

PS I could honestly talk forever about this, so feel free to ask me anything. Here are some links for you...
http://www.cor.state.pa.us/boot/site/default.asp
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05079/474383.stm

Quehanna Boot Camp
Coordinator: Charles Ralston
4395 Quehanna Hwy
Karthaus, PA 16845-9714
(814) 263-4125

In partnership with Penn State DuBois Continuing Education, Brian Goss and Greg Snyder, PENNTAP senior e-business consultants, provided hands-on technical instruction to inmates at the Quehanna Boot Camp on the installation and repair of copper and fiber optic-based cabling systems, resulting in nearly 80 young offenders participating in the program, and more than 90 percent receiving certification as Certified Network Cabling Specialists.

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/cwp/...p?A=3&Q=152904

http://www.cor.state.pa.us/stats/lib/stats/bootcamp.pdf

http://nicic.org/Library/018614

http://www.psu.edu/ur/archives/inter...research1.html


You also had a great point about taking 2 min showers and brushing your teeth in 2 min. How about going to the bathroom with no stall doors in less then 2 min! You forgot that one... I remember a day our whole platoon go in trouble and had to do squats with our matresses on our heads for about 12 hours straight, all while holding pictures of our loved ones in front of us. The statement was, your (Being me) are not in pain (yeah right) but our family is suffering and in pain because of what I did! Now that definitly got the point across! I also remember the days of lunging back and forth everywhere we went for a whole day and that was back when everything wasn't in the same building! We were also pulled out of our racks at like 2am because someone missed their mom, so at that point we were marched outside, did I mention it was the middle of the winter, and proceeded to get PT'd for about 15 minutes. We were only in shorts, flip flops and t-shirts at this point. Damn it was cold!!!! Oh I could go on....

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Write to your loved ones if they are in boot camp!!!!!! It will mean the world to this person.

[INEEDMYBOO]

I would like to know How long did you have to wait to go to boot camp?

[BootCampSuccess]

Hello, I waited about a month in county for state, then I sat in State for about 5-6 months to get classified and cleared for Bootcamp. Then I was in Boot camp for around 6 months. Then I was free on parole. You either need a approved home plan (no drugs, guns, felons, etc.) Or you go to a halfway house. It was better then sitting up state for 2.5 years...I will tell you that, and obviously it worked since I have now been out for 8 years, and walked off all my parole/ probation. I actually just got off in June! If you have the opportunity, do it!

[INEEDMYBOO]

Thanks for the information, my fiance Has been there since July 18th and they told him last month that he should be going within the next 2-3 month but I'll believe it when it happens. Hopefully it will be that soon or maybe sooner.