The Pennsylvania Prison Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Dugan as our first Western Pennsylvania Region Director, a newly created role designed to deepen our impact and strengthen coordination with local partners.
Dugan served in the Allegheny County public defender’s office from 2007–2023, rising to chief deputy director, before running for district attorney in 2023.
We are thrilled to welcome Matt's leadership in Western Pennsylvania — a region marked by tremendous need and potential. With 35 prisons and jails in the region, housing over 23,000 people, the region has the largest number of people in custody of any part of the state. Says Executive Director Claire Shubik-Richards, "While there is a lot of demand for Prison Society services in Western Pennsylvania, there is just as much potential for impact. There is nowhere else in the state that is as collaborative and innovative as the Pittsburgh region."
Over the last four years, the Prison Society has gradually increased our presence and investment in Western Pennsylvania. Hiring Matt represents the culmination of that intentional growth.
“We are excited that Matt is joining our team,” said Claire Shubik-Richards. “Matt is a strategic thinker and a well-connected collaborator with a deep understanding of the realities of Pennsylvania prisons and jails. He has an intricate knowledge of our criminal legal system. We could not have envisioned a better, more compassionate, and knowledgeable leader to expand our impact in Western Pennsylvania.”
Meet Matt
Prison Society: Tell us about your background and what makes you suited for this work.
Matt: I’ve spent nearly two decades working at the intersection of the criminal legal system, public policy, and community advocacy. In senior leadership roles at the Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender, I led large teams, built innovative programs, and worked to make the system more fair, humane, and effective.
My work has consistently focused on upstream solutions — reducing unnecessary system involvement, addressing structural barriers, and supporting programming that strengthens human connection and successful reentry. That perspective, grounded in dignity and accountability, closely aligns with the Prison Society’s mission.
Prison Society: What attracted you to the Western Region Director role at the Prison Society?
Matt: The Prison Society’s commitment to independent oversight, compassion, and human connection immediately resonated with me. Few organizations combine direct engagement with incarcerated people, meaningful in-facility programming, and systemic advocacy in such a thoughtful and credible way.
The Western Region Director role offered the opportunity to stay closely connected to lived experiences while strengthening partnerships and impact across Western Pennsylvania — work that feels both urgent and meaningful.
Prison Society: What are you most excited about in your new role?
Matt: I’m most excited about building relationships — supporting volunteers, strengthening connections with facilities, and collaborating with community partners to improve conditions, accountability, and access to programming that helps people prepare for life beyond incarceration.
I’m especially energized by the opportunity to expand our group of volunteers and oversight work, support initiatives like Building Connections, and help amplify the voices of people most directly impacted by incarceration.
Prison Society: As someone new to the organization, is there anything you've observed about the Prison Society or Pennsylvania prisons and jails that you think everyone should know?
Matt: One thing that stands out is how vital independent oversight and human presence are. The Prison Society’s work is deeply relational, and consistent, thoughtful engagement inside facilities plays a powerful role in promoting dignity, safety, and accountability.
More broadly, Pennsylvania’s prisons and jails are under significant strain and often misunderstood. Meaningful change requires sustained attention, credible information, and investments in programs that support growth and reentry — exactly where the Prison Society excels.