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Honoring Philadelphia Department of Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney for being a pillar of the community, and for her exemplary work throughout the City of Philadelphia, and outstanding leadership during Women’s History month.
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WHEREAS, Commissioner Blanche Carney is a native of Philadelphia. After High School she went on to receive her Bachelor’s from Lincoln University. Commissioner Carney went on to then earn a Master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College’s Graduate School of Social Work; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Carney began her career with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons as a Social Worker. She was promoted to the Social Work Supervisor and was responsible for the Intake Unit at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. Commissioner Carney was instrumental in implementing Gender Responsive Training to correctional officers, treatment staff, and contractors in working with female offenders and has been strong advocate for drug and alcohol treatment and transitional services; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Carney was promoted to the position of Human Services Program Administrator where she implemented several groundbreaking new programs, pilot projects, and technological advances in promoting efficient and effective services to the inmate population. Commissioner Carney served as the Philadelphia Department of Prisons representative for several inter-departmental, agency and City Coalitions resulting in the expansion of existing services and new programs. In addition, Commissioner Carney assumed the responsibilities of the PDP’s long standing (O.P.T.I.O.N.S.) Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program in the delivery of treatment education to inmates with substance abuse needs; and
WHEREAS, In January 2015, Commissioner Carney was promoted to the position of Deputy Commissioner for Restorative and Transitional Services where she continued her commitment to providing evidence-based programs and services to the inmate population in support of positive reentry for returning citizens. In this role she was able to stress the importance of providing reentry skills and education programming opportunities to the inmates in our custody who will be returning to our communities. Working in concert with Philadelphia Judicial partners, she was integral in the city of Philadelphia being awarded the prestigious MacArthur Grant for 3.5 million dollars. This grant challenged multiple jurisdictions to re-examine the approach to mass incarceration and develop and enact alternatives to incarceration for accused, non-violent offenders; and
WHEREAS, In April 2016, Blanche Carney was appointed to the position of Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, making her the first African American woman to head the Department. With distinction she leads a staff of 2,300 employees and contracted staff which operates six facilities in Northeast Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA That we recognize and honor Commissioner Blanche Carney for Women’s History Month.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of the resolution be presented to Commissioner Blanche Carney as evidence of the gratitude of this legislative body.
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