The Centre County Prison Board of Inspectors are excited to announce that Christopher A. Schell has accepted the position of Warden at the Centre County Correctional Facility, effective Sunday, May 21, 2017.
Chris holds an extensive background in the field of corrections. Prior to joining Centre County as the Deputy Warden of Administration in November 2016, Chris was employed at the York County Prison. He progressed through the ranks of the York County Prison from a Correctional Officer to the rank of Lieutenant and finally Captain in 1998. While employed at York County Prison, Chris served on the Correctional Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) and also was elected by the York County Prison’s Administration to serve as the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) investigator.
With more than 20 years of Corrections leadership, Chris brings experience in coaching, policy review and accreditation, staff training, compliance standards, communications, union relations, and leadership development.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the members of the Board of Inspectors for the confidence and support they have in me for this position. I am extremely pleased for this opportunity and responsibility to serve as the Warden of Centre County Correctional Facility. I am excited to work with all Centre County Departments, Authorities, and to continue to work and give guidance to the staff at CCCF.”
“With over a quarter century of corrections experience, Chris can deliver security for staff and the community, but he appreciates the need for rehabilitation as individuals prepare for reentry into society after incarceration,” Michael Pipe, chairman of the Prison Board of Inspectors said.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Studies from Grand Canyon University. He graduated from the Correctional Academy in Elizabethtown, PA in 1992 and is a certified trainer from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.