Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna
From 1948 to 1959, the then-Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry leased the current site of Quehanna Boot Camp to Curtiss-Wright, a nuclear jet engine research and testing site. In 1962, Piper Aircraft Inc. leased the site for metal and parts fabrication to be used in the construction of aircraft.
With the closing of the Quehanna Piper Aircraft site in 1978, the land reverted back to the Bureau of Forestry. In August 1991, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections leased the site for the development of its first Motivational Boot Camp. Renovations were completed in early 1992 and the Boot Camp received its first platoon of twelve inmates in June 1992.
In 1997, former Governor Ridge set aside funds for renovation of a 120,000-square-foot former metal fabrication plant. In 1998, reconstruction efforts began on the building, which was designed to house and completely accommodate 400 inmates, leaving other existing buildings for administrative offices and storage. The building was dedicated in July 1999 and occupied by inmates in October 1999.
In April 2002, Quehanna was initially accredited as an adult boot camp. In October 2009, Quehanna was accredited as an adult correctional institution and most recently reaccredited in April 2018.
This co-ed facility sits on 30 acres and features 18 buildings. There are nine dormitory-style 50-bed housing units; one 56-bed unit; one 52-bed unit; and one 40-bed unit.
Inmates arriving at the Quehanna Boot Camp fit into one of three categories: Boot Camp, State Intermediate Punishment (SIP), or general population.
Boot Camp inmates that receive a recommendation from their judge voluntarily agree to participate in a six-month traditional military-style boot camp. The boot camp program centers around treatment, education, and work with a focus on self-discipline.
SIP inmates are court-ordered to a flat, 24-month sentence, which includes a series of step-down treatment programs designed to assist the offender in their drug/alcohol dependence. SIP program participants complete an intensive, four-month inpatient therapy, which is completed at Quehanna.
Both alternative programs require inmates to participate daily in therapeutic groups to address drug and alcohol issues, anger and violence, domestic violence, and criminal thinking.
Quehanna houses the only Boot Camp program in Pennsylvania, which has achieved the result of a 13% lower recidivism rate than typical institutions. This is attributed to the intensive treatment, along with the discipline, education, and work ethic instilled while inmates are incarcerated at QBC. Staff has proven time and again their versatility and professionalism by adapting to new alternative programming and working to achieve top-notch results in each population.
QBC is the primary site for male and female participants of the PA State Intermediate Punishment program, which entails an intensive therapeutic community setting, along with rigid rules and expectations of the inmate participants.
In addition, QBC has the unique challenge of managing both male and female inmates in both programs while maintaining the integrity of the program and providing a high level of security.
Prison Insights
Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting Days/Times at Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna are:
Male Pre-Boot Camp and Boot Camp
Saturdays: 9 am to 12 pm
Holidays: 12:30 to 3:30 pm
Male Boot Camp
Saturdays: 9 am to 12 pm or Sundays: 12:30 to 3:30 pm (as designated on the QBC platoon-specific visiting rotation schedule)
Holidays: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Female Pre-Boot Camp and Boot Camp (as designated on the QBC platoon-specific visiting rotation schedule)
Sunday | Holidays from 9 am to 12 pm
Male General Population, Non-TC Inmates
Wednesday | Friday: 9 am to 12 pm
Saturday | Holidays: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Female General Population, Non-TC Inmates
Sunday | Holidays: 9 am to 12 pm
Wednesday | Friday: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Male SDTP Inmates
Saturday | Holidays: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Female SDTP TC Inmates
Sunday | Holidays: 9 am to 12 pm
QBC Visiting Room is open for visits on these holidays:
New Year’s Day | Memorial Day | 4th of July | Labor Day | Thanksgiving Day | Christmas Day
MAX Number of Visitors per Inmate: 4 (One of the four must be an adult)
Call the QBC for clarification at 814.263.4125
Visiting Rules
- Vehicles must be locked while on prison property. Windows must be rolled up/closed. All equipment must be secured in or on your vehicle (such as ladders, tool boxes).
- NEVER bring any gifts or money for the inmate. This must be done through JPay. Prisons will NOT accept money to be placed on an inmate’s account.
- Cell phones and/or pagers are not permitted inside the SCIs. They must be properly secured in your locked vehicle prior to entering the SCI.
- Any kind of device, whether worn or hand held, that has the capability of audio and/or video/photography recording and/or cell phone capabilities is NOT permitted. This could include, but is not limited to, eye glasses, tie tacks, lapel pins, wrist watches, pens, etc.
- No purses, bags, diaper bags, etc., are permitted.
- Due to space restrictions, visits may be terminated on a first in, first out basis, to make room for visitors that may be waiting.
- Visiting room officers may assign specific seating locations for visitors and inmates, especially for those who are suspected of or have displayed problems with obeying procedures.
- Unused visits per week may not be carried over into the following week. It’s a “use them or lose them” rule.
- At most facilities, lockers are available for use. Some lockers may require a deposit ranging from 25 cents to $10. Items not permitted in the visiting room should either be left in your vehicle or placed in the locker. All vehicles and lockers are subject to search.
- Vending Machine: One credit card is permitted to be used in vending machines.
Video Visitation
Video visitation is a free service offered to inmates and authorized visitors, and all inmates are eligible to participate. The visiting rules for Video Visitation are generally the same as those for visiting in the facility. Zoom Visits Schedule
To sign up and schedule a visit, check out the visitation scheduler system.
For complete details, read the Video Visitation Visitors Guide.
Video visits are scheduled 48 hours in advance. A notice will be sent two days prior to the visit date if approved.
Physical Address
Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna
4395 Quehanna Highway
Karthaus, PA 16845
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/wdtGXGUwQQrAXCBK9
General Phone Number
(814) 263-4125
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Smart Communications/PADOC
Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna
Inmate Name, Inmate Number
PO Box 33028
St Petersburg, FL 33733
Email
The Department of Corrections (DOC) uses services provided by GTL so emails may be sent to inmates. ALL emails inmates receive are subject to review for appropriate content.
Learn more about the email service on the GTL website
ConnectNetwork is the access portal to create an account for emails.How to Call an Inmate
Inmates at Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna can’t receive incoming phone calls, but they do have access to phones during certain hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Pennsylvania, please click here.
How to Send Money
The Department of Corrections (DOC) uses JPay for the processing of ALL MONEY ORDERS sent to inmates in all Pennsylvania correctional institutions AND all online and over-the-phone credit card transactions.
Family and friends must deposit money into an inmate's account through JPay, either online or through lobby kiosks at each individual state prison.
DO NOT send money to any other individual, website or Email account. Money orders are NOT accepted at any state correctional institutions.
For JPay information, call 800.574.5729
JPay Frequently Asked Questions Information Sheet (pdf)
Money Orders
A Deposit Slip MUST be filled out and submitted with EVERY money order. Slips are available at the money order section of the JPay website, visiting rooms and the DOC's website.
DEPOSIT SLIP (pdf)
DEPOSIT SLIP (pdf) (Spanish)
ALL money order deposit slips MUST have the following information CLEARLY TYPED in order for the funds to be posted to the inmate account: Handwritten forms are subject to delay.
• Correct inmate ID #
• Inmate name
• Sender’s name and address
Programs For Inmates
Academic and Vocational Education:
- Academic Education through GED level
- Special Education
- Commonwealth Secondary Diploma Program
- OSHA
- Fiber Optics
- Ward Flex Gas
- NCCER
- COR
- Custodial Maintenance
Family/Relationship Self:
- Reading to your Children
- Parenting Programs (both male and female)
- Reentry
- Pre-Vocational Skills Class
- MoneySmart Program
- DOC Reentry curriculum
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD):
- Therapeutic Community
- Outpatient Therapy Group
- Dual Diagnosis
- AA/NA Support Meetings
- SMART Meetings
Offense Related:
- Thinking for a Change
- Act 143 - Victim Awareness
- Violence Prevention
- Batterer’s Intervention
- Impact of Crime
Mental Health Programs:
- MH Education
- MH Community Re-Entry Group
Community Work Program:
Since 2013, the community work program has been cut back to one crew consisting of one Labor Foreman and six inmates. The program has assisted the community and participated in the Adopt-A-Highway Program providing 3,808 hours of community work in 2018.
Examples of projects are:
- Cemetery Clean-Up (6) – straightening headstones; landscaping; cleaning-up debris from winter months
- Community Parks (4) – weed-eating; mowing; leaf raking; and painting
- Volunteer Fire Companies (5) – wash down walls; wax floors; and clean & wax fire trucks
- Local VFW – cleaning, stripping, and waxing floors.
- Local Churches (12) – cleaning and waxing floors; painting; and minor landscaping
- DCNR & State Parks – storm damage clean-up
- Clearfield Chamber of Commerce – set up for annual Wing Fling Fundraiser
- Boy Scouts of America at Camp Mt. Run – cleaning interior and exterior of buildings; setting up canvas tents; & helping prepare property for summer events
- Local Youth Baseballs Associations (3) – brush clean-up; painting; and hanging of signs at local fields to prepare for the season
- Clearfield County Rails to Trails – cleaned out drain ditches along a two mile portion of the trails
Pictures of Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna
Careers at Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna
If you are interested in a career with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, you can find out more information about available jobs at Motivational Bootcamp Quehanna by clicking here.
