Love Above Bars
About The Awards
Our nation’s founders came together in 1786 to form the Pennsylvania Prison Society; a "society" or group of people dedicated to the proposition that all among us are entitled to a life of dignity and caring. A community that believes that the criminal justice system should restore hope and the possibility of a “life of virtue and happiness,” not dash hope and end lives.
Since our founding, we have advanced this mission, through wars, pandemics, and political upheaval. But our focus, just like in centuries past, has not wavered.
Every year, since our founding, we have honored those among us that exemplify our mission through our annual awards. Below you can meet this year's award recipients and hear directly from them. You can also scroll down to view a list of historic award winners.
Meet Our 2025 Award Winners
Josh Vaughn
Human Rights Champion of the Year
Josh covers a broad array of criminal justice issues, but has recently been focused on conditions and abuse in Dauphin County Prison. Josh shines a light on issues that go unnoticed. Josh Vaughn has dedicated a large part of his career to reporting on the often-overlooked world behind prison walls. His steadfast dedication and integrity have brought attention to systemic issues—especially around deaths in custody and how they are reported. His work brings much-needed transparency, which lies at the heart of our mission.
More about Josh's story here.
John Topper
Incarcerated Person of the Year
John is incarcerated at SCI Mahanoy. When John entered prison, he could walk, speak, and write. After a devastating Huntington’s Disease diagnosis, John is now wheelchair bound, nonverbal, and unable to write. Long-time PPS volunteer, Janet Irons, has been by John's side while they fought together for reasonable accommodations throughout the years, including handicap cells, a simple sign on his door saying he was nonverbal, and a device that would allow him to communicate with prison staff and other people in custody.
Ernest Fuller
Volunteer of the Year
Ernest founded the Blair County Chapter he believes in 1991, and will be retiring this year. They have steadfastly toured the prison every month, checking on incarcerated people’s concerns and state of the jail, conduct official visits, and run a beloved holiday caroling and cookie distribution event inside the jail. Ernest has been a solid source of support and inspiration for our most structured chapter, as well the Warden, and community members.
More about Ernest's story here.
Capt. Gerald Roundtree
Correctional Employee of the Year
Mr. Roundtree is well known and beloved in corrections circles on both ends of the state. He commutes weekly from his home in the Philadelphia suburbs to serve as the inaugural unit manager at the Allegheny County (i.e. Pittsburgh). He served a full career with the state DOC, including helping to open “Little Scandanavia” before coming out of retirement to lead a restructuring of the juvenile unit at the Allegheny County Jail.
More about Gerald's story here.
Historic Award Recepients
Tyreem Rivers, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Jim Bright, Health Care Administrator at SCI Fayette, Correctional Employee of the Year
Virginia Hammond, Volunteer Mentor, Volunteer of the Year
Bradley Bridge, Human Rights Champion of the Year
2023
Kareem McNeil, SCI Phoenix, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Georgia Dovshek, Washington County Jail Food Service Manager, Correctional Employee of the Year
Andrea Striepen, Philadelphia Chapter, Volunteer of the Year
Speaker Joanna McClinton, Human Rights Champion of the Year
2022
Heather Lavelle, SCI Muncy, Incarcerated Person of the Year
James Archer, SCI Chester, Correctional Employee of the Year
Phillis Taylor, SCI Phoenix, Volunteer of the Year
2021
Paul Schuelter, SCI Camp Hill, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Marion Damick, Allegheny Chapter, Volunteer of the Year
Cheryl Steberger, Lancaster County Prison Warden, Correctional Facility Employee of the Year
2020
Kim Drum, Correctional Professional of the Year
Kevin Brown, SCI Chester, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Dave Moyer, Official Visitor of the Year
2019
Malik Neal, Philadelphia Chapter, Volunteer of the Year
Sam Barlow, SCI Coal Township, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Tom McGinley, SCI Coal Township, Correctional Professional of the Year
2018
Daniel Miniarchick, Centre County Prison, Correctional Employee of the Year
Rebecca Mitchell, SCI Huntingdon, Official Visitor of the Year
Kirby Keller, SCI Dallas, Incarcerated Person of the Year
2017
Gene Breisch, SCI Muncy, Official Visitor of the Year
Joyce Schofield, SCI Muncy, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Major Gina Clark, SCI Graterford, Correctional Professional of the Year
2016
Magaleen Stewart, SCI Muncy, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Carolyn Robinson, Lebanon County, Volunteer of the Year
Jill Scheppler, Correctional Administrator of the Year
Senator Shirley Kitchen
2015
Gary Brown, Incarcerated Person of the Year
2014
Franklin Castile, SCI Smithfield, Incarcerated Person of the Year
David Young, SCI Muncy, Volunteer of the Year
2013
Gerome Walsh, SCI Dallas, Correctional Professional of the Year
Elsie McCullaugh, Blair County, Volunteer of the Year
William Payne, Prisoner of the Year
2011
Janie Byrd, SCI Muncy, Volunteer of the Year
Dennis Nicholson, SCI Retreat, Prisoner of the Year
2010
Stan Washington, SCI Somerset, Prisoner of the Year
Barbara Price McHale, Convener of the Year
Joe Nish, SCI Waymart, Correctional Officer of the Year
2009
Sharon Wiggins, SCI Muncy, Prisoner of the Year
Marsha Levick, Meritorious Service
Josephine Rhyder, Carbon County, Volunteer of the Year
2008
Paul Perry, SCI Graterford, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Arthur Clark Developed Clemency Project, Justice
David DiGuglielmo, SCI Graterford, Correctional Professional of the Year
2007
David Ruovsky and Jonathon Feinberg, Meritorious Service
Dr. Nicholas Scharff, Corrections Professional of the Year
Jerry L. Mims, SCI Graterford, Prisoner of the Year
2006
Caig A. Lowe, Pike County Correctional Facility, Corrections Professional of the Year
Richie J. Marra, SCI Chester, Prisoner of the Year
James Syphers, Fayette County chapter, Official Visitor of the Year
Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, Meritorious Service
2005
Anita Alberts, Esq. and Martha Sperling, Esq., Meritorious Service
Greg Gaertner, Corrections Professional of the Year
Clarence R. Davis, SCI Retreat, Prisoner of the Year
2004
Stephen Knight, SCI Pine Grove, Prisoner of the Year
2003
Michael Moore, SCI Dallas, Prisoner of the Year
Norman Johnston, Meritorious Service
2002
Douglas Hollis, SCI Mahanoy, Prisoner of the Year
Sharon Dietrich, Community Legal Services, Meritorious Service
2001
Commer Glass, SCI Graterford, Prisoner of the Year
Joe Heckle, Volunteer of the Year
James J. McKenna, Jr., Ph.D, Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional of the Year
2000
Jon Yount, SCI Huntingdon, Prisoner of the Year
George and Nan McVaugh, Volunteers of the Year
David Richman, Esq., Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional of the Year
1999
Cyd Charisse Berger, SCI Cambridge Springs, Prisoner of the Year
Rita Foderaro, Centre County, Volunteer of the Year
Tom Stachelek, SCI Dallas, Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional
Stephanus Barth and Gillian Barth, Distinguished Service
Julia Hall, Ph.D., Outstanding Performance as President
1998
Donald Vaughn, SCI Graterford, Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional of the Year
Lewis C. Rhodes, Volunteer of the Year
Kevin Lively, SCI Huntingdon, Prisoner of the Year
1997
Harriet Kaylor, Ph.D., Huntingdon Chapter, Volunteer of the Year
James Taylor, SCI Graterford, Prisoner of the Year
1996
Marie Scott, SCI Muncy, Prisoner of the Year
Tom Raiker, Volunteer of the Year
Bradley Bridge, Esq., Meritorious Service
John Hargreaves, Volunteer of the Year
Thurman Ali Bonner, SCI Muncy, Prisoner of the Year
Ann Schwartzman, Meritorious Service
1994
Judith Zucker, Aline Wolf, Matthew Epps, Julia Cass, Meritorious Service
Elizabeth Alexander, Scott Burris, Angus R. Love, Robet W. Meek, Stefan Presser, David Rudovsky, Attorneys on the Austin v. Lehman Team
1993
Sharon Wiggins, Thomas O'Rourke, Janet Leban, Finn Hornum, Meritorious Service
David Williams, William Gonzalez, Sharon Fowler, Bruce Oxford, Madeline Ramos-Pagan, Awards for Outstanding Performance in the Community Service Orders Project
1992
Flora Belle McKinney, Board member
Allen Hornblum, Chief of Staff (City of Philadelphia Sheriff's Office)
Michael Clate, Convener (Allegheny Chapter) Gary Rock, SCI Huntingdon
Tyone Werts, SCI Graterford
1991
Alvin Bronstein, Esq.
Gretchen Kelley, Cumberland County Convener
Mamie Fains, Retired Regional Director, Community Corrections, Eastern Region
1990
David S. Owens Jr, past commissioner of the Department of Corrections
Melvin Heller
Jane Crosby, Volunteer of the Year
Jesse Kithcart and Thomas Sim, Incarcerated People of the Year
James McKenna and Bella J. Muir
1989
Pat Finio
Steve Blackburn, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Jane Johnson, Volunteer of the Year
Allen Kukovich, State Representative
Angus Love Esq., Montgomery County Legal Services
Edmund H. Lyons, Superintendent, Philadelphia Prisons
1988
Diane Metzger, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Theo Wilkins and Heine Rathmann, Volunteers of the Year
H. William DeWeese, Meritorious Service
1987
Rev. John A. Parkinson, Board Member, Chaplain to Philadelphia Prisons
Lois Williamson
Robert Earl Barnes, Incarcerated Person of the Year
Joan Gauker, founder of Graterfriends
Alexine L. Atherton, President of the Board of Directors
1986
Ted Klugman, Volunteer of the Year
John D. Case, Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional of the Year
Rick Nichols
Raymond B. Crawford, Incarcerated Person of the Year
1985
Bernice O'Hara, Staff member
Dr. Rose Cologne, Volunteer of the Year
Rendell A. Davis, former Executive Director
1984
Kimmett Edgar, Volunteer of the Year
John Woestendiek
John Conrad, Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional of the Year
1983
Dr. Philip WithinSarah H. Shakespeare, Visitor of the Year
Kenneth A. Tervalon, Life Skills program coordinator
William J. Kennedy, Board member
1982
Chuck Stone
Dr. Anna Zeigler, Volunteer of the Year
David Rudovsky, Esq
Joseph Rhodes, Jr
1981
John Sweeny
Stepen Salisbury
Edmund B. Spaeth, Jr
1980
William G. Nagel
Paul Wahrhaftig
Rev. Richard Swartout
Albert Froy
1979
Anthony J. Scirica
Marie Hamilton
1978
Frederick H. Downs Jr.
Jere Krakoff, Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional of the Year
Dave and Peggy Lauder, Volunteers of the Year
1977
The Bethlehem Globe Times and The Call Chronicle Newspapers
Gerard T. Frey, Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional of the Year
Acel Moore and Wendell Rawls, Jr.
Frances P. Kellogg
1976
Loretta Schwartz
WCAU News Radio (BIll Rohrer, Steve Reed, Greg Morrison and Joel Spivak)
John Otto Reinemann
1975
John Gunither
Dr. Thorsten Sellin
1974
Barbara Fruchter and Constance Voynow
Robert W. Kotzbauer
Dr. Thomas W. Georges, Jr, Meritorious Service
1973
Donald L. Barlett
James B. Steele