Warden, Allegheny County Jail

Summary

About Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

Allegheny County (pop. 1.23 million)is the second most populous county in Pennsylvania and home toPittsburgh, the state's second-largest city. Pittsburgh was named a top2026 global destination by National Geographic. With a median householdincome of $80,000, 40% more primary care doctors per capita than stateand national averages, and a strong baseof world-class universities and health systems, the region offersexceptional quality of life, outstanding schools, and deep civicinfrastructure. Pittsburgh offers a rare combination: a city smallenough to get every key stakeholder in the room, yet large enough todrive policy change with national visibility that is backed by progressive elected leadership willing to think ambitiously and support creative solutions.

AlleghenyCounty's diversity is a lived reality throughout its neighborhoods,workplaces, and governance. Through inclusive engagement and itscommitment to collaborative governance, the county understands thedisparities that continue to exist and works towards building acommunity where every resident feels represented, valued, and empoweredto thrive.

About Allegheny County Government

AlleghenyCounty is governed by the County Executive, Sara Innamorato, anappointed County Manager, and a 15-member elected County Council. TheCounty government works in partnership with 130 self-governingmunicipalities across the county.

ExecutiveInnamorato's priorities for County Government all support the idea ofmaking Allegheny County a “county for all.” To achieve this vision,Allegheny County Government is making significant investments in thefollowing areas:

• Economic Development: Supporting business districts to ensure their vitality and increase opportunities through the Allegheny Together program.

• Transportation: Expanding the Bus Rapid Transit service and modernizing both the light rail system and Pittsburgh International Airport.

• Employee Benefits: Guaranteeinga range of benefits to County employees on their first day on the job,including parental, sick, and vacation leave as well as time off underthe Family Medical Leave Act.

• Healthcare: Increasing access and convenience to high-quality, affordable healthcare for all residents.

• Environmental Health & Sustainability:Providing low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency,renewable energy, and water conservation projects via the CommercialProperty Assessed Clean Energy program.

• Housing: Increasingaccess to long-term housing with the “500 in 500” plan to make 500units available to people in the county's shelters within 500 days, starting in June 2024.

About the Allegheny County Jail

Built in 1995, the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) is a high-rise, direct-supervision jail locatedin downtown Pittsburgh. Incarcerated individuals committed by theCourts are housed at the ACJ facility and at two alternative housingfacilities. Whilethe facility has a capacity of more than 3,000, the average dailypopulation has been below 2,000 for the past few years (average dailypopulation in from 1/1/2026 - 08/13/2026 was around 1,710 individuals each day) Thisreduction is due to ongoing efforts with partners such as the Safety +Justice Challenge, which focuses on the continued reduction of thenumber of individuals incarcerated at the facility and promotingprograms to help people successfully reenter society.

ACJ is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA). It is one of only three ACA-accredited Adult Local Correctional Facilities in Pennsylvania. In 2024, Pennsylvania started operatingunder a Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Waiver, giving agencies in theCommonwealth (including ACJ) greater latitude to improve the overallpopulation health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with chronic medical, mental health, and substance use disorder needs.

Oversight

The Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board ensures thatthe living conditions within the prison and alternative housingfacilities support the wellbeing of their residents and that ACJ isbeing operated in accordance with its regulations and the laws andregulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and of the UnitedStates. County leadership worked hard to create a positive relationship with the Jail Oversight Board, and interactions with the Board are honest and constructive.

TheBoard investigates allegations of inadequate prison conditions andimproper practices occurring within the ACJ and may make such otherinvestigations or reviews of prison operation and maintenance. Thebooks, papersand records of the prison, including, but not limited to, the papersand records of the Warden and those relating to individual incarceratedindividuals, shall at all times be available for inspection by the Board.

Atleast twice annually, Board Members conduct an unannounced inspectionof ACJ's physical plant during which they interview a cross section ofincarcerated individuals, out of the presence of the Warden and theiragents, to determine the conditions within the prison and alternative housing facilities.

Programs

Allegheny County Jail provides a wide range of services to support residents' wellbeing, health, and rehabilitation and facilitate their successful reentry including:

• Substance Use Programs

• Case Management Services

• Pre-Release and Aftercare Services

• Re-Entry Programs

• Veterans Services Unit

• Alternative Housing

• Educational Programs

• Chaplaincy Program

• Virtual Meeting Services

About the Warden of the Allegheny County Jail

“Our community members…who are incarcerated…deserve our respect and investments so they can live full and dignified lives too.”

– Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato

Nothingsets the tone for the work of the next Warden more than these publicwords from Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. With her plans todevelop stronger youth programs, promote workforce equity, and increaseaccess to affordable housing, Executive Innamorato seeks a region inwhich incarceration is the exception, not the rule. When incarcerationis necessary, the priority will be the safety of staff and residents andthe residents' well-being and preparation for their successful returnto society.

Profile and Duties

Thenext Warden of the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) will have broadresponsibility for its operations, the residents within, the variousprograms administered by the jail (solely and in partnership with otherorganizations), the performance of the staff of ACJ, and compliance withall relevant policies and laws.

Thefollowing vision for the experience, values, and commitments of thenext Warden is inspired by the mandate set forth by Executive Innamorato.

Specifically, the Warden will be:

• Collaborative– with a demonstrated ability to work respectfully and successfullywith community groups, oversight boards, and legal community;

• Fair-minded and inspirational – committed to the success and professional development of staff and the well-being of jail residents;

• Person-centered – valuing the lived experience of system-impacted individuals and committed to having their voices inform ACJ policies; and

• Visionary– with a clear articulation of the systemic injustices that contributeto incarceration and a commitment to decision-making with this realityin mind.

Qualifications

Qualified applicants will have a Bachelor's degree in public policy, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, social work, public health, health administration,public administration, or a related field and at least 6 years ofprogressively responsible professional experience – preferably in thecontext of facilities that focus on rehabilitation or education –including the professional development of staff and responsibility forthose under their care. Additional experience may be considered a substitution for education.

Candidates are not required tohave a lengthy corrections-specific career. Individuals withsignificant leadership and management experience from adjacent fields,including public defense, policy, or other human-services-orientedroles, are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Bachelor'sdegree in public policy, criminal justice, psychology, sociology,social work, public health, health administration, publicadministration, or a related field; advanced degree a plus

• Minimumof 8-10 years of progressively responsible professional experience,including at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management rolewith direct oversight of large teams and complex operations

• Demonstratedexperience managing a large, diverse workforce in a unionizedenvironment, including collective bargaining and labor relations

• Experienceoverseeing safety, security, and daily operations for a high-populationfacility or comparably complex public-sector organization

• Gifted communicator and skilled stakeholder navigator with a steady, credible public presence; composed under media scrutiny and comfort engaging with diverse stakeholders

• Track record of developing and implementing organizational policy and procedure at scale

• Workingknowledge of correctional systems and applicable federal, state, andlocal laws and regulations governing incarcerated populations;candidates need not come from a traditional corrections career-equivalent leadership experience from law (including public defense),policy, or human services roles is welcomed

• Experience managing large public budgets

• Deep knowledge of criminal justice system

Knowledge Areas

The next Warden of the Allegheny County Jail will be knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Best practices in correctional systems

• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances regarding the safety of incarcerated persons and the physical conditions in which they are held

• Principles of education and rehabilitation within prisons and outcomes regarding re-entry

• Experiencepartnering with health and human services agencies, or overseeingrehabilitative, behavioral health, or substance use treatmentprogramming

• Motivating and supporting staff and setting clear expectations for organizational success

• Long-standing disparities within the criminal legal system

Track Record of Success

The next Warden of the Allegheny County Jail will have a track record of success in the following areas:

• Staff support, development, and accountability

• Safety and security for residents, staff, and visitors

• Collective bargaining and unionized workforces

• Policy and procedure development and implementation

• Partnershipwith health and human services agencies, including Allegheny CountyDHS, to advance integrated, whole-person care for residents

Job Description

About Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

Allegheny County (pop. 1.23 million)is the second most populous county in Pennsylvania and home toPittsburgh, the state's second-largest city. Pittsburgh was named a top2026 global destination by National Geographic. With a median householdincome of $80,000, 40% more primary care doctors per capita than stateand national averages, and a strong baseof world-class universities and health systems, the region offersexceptional quality of life, outstanding schools, and deep civicinfrastructure. Pittsburgh offers a rare combination: a city smallenough to get every key stakeholder in the room, yet large enough todrive policy change with national visibility that is backed by progressive elected leadership willing to think ambitiously and support creative solutions.

AlleghenyCounty's diversity is a lived reality throughout its neighborhoods,workplaces, and governance. Through inclusive engagement and itscommitment to collaborative governance, the county understands thedisparities that continue to exist and works towards building acommunity where every resident feels represented, valued, and empoweredto thrive.

About Allegheny County Government

AlleghenyCounty is governed by the County Executive, Sara Innamorato, anappointed County Manager, and a 15-member elected County Council. TheCounty government works in partnership with 130 self-governingmunicipalities across the county.

ExecutiveInnamorato's priorities for County Government all support the idea ofmaking Allegheny County a “county for all.” To achieve this vision,Allegheny County Government is making significant investments in thefollowing areas:

• Economic Development: Supporting business districts to ensure their vitality and increase opportunities through the Allegheny Together program.

• Transportation: Expanding the Bus Rapid Transit service and modernizing both the light rail system and Pittsburgh International Airport.

• Employee Benefits: Guaranteeinga range of benefits to County employees on their first day on the job,including parental, sick, and vacation leave as well as time off underthe Family Medical Leave Act.

• Healthcare: Increasing access and convenience to high-quality, affordable healthcare for all residents.

• Environmental Health & Sustainability:Providing low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency,renewable energy, and water conservation projects via the CommercialProperty Assessed Clean Energy program.

• Housing: Increasingaccess to long-term housing with the “500 in 500” plan to make 500units available to people in the county's shelters within 500 days, starting in June 2024.

About the Allegheny County Jail

Built in 1995, the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) is a high-rise, direct-supervision jail locatedin downtown Pittsburgh. Incarcerated individuals committed by theCourts are housed at the ACJ facility and at two alternative housingfacilities. Whilethe facility has a capacity of more than 3,000, the average dailypopulation has been below 2,000 for the past few years (average dailypopulation in from 1/1/2026 - 08/13/2026 was around 1,710 individuals each day) Thisreduction is due to ongoing efforts with partners such as the Safety +Justice Challenge, which focuses on the continued reduction of thenumber of individuals incarcerated at the facility and promotingprograms to help people successfully reenter society.

ACJ is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA). It is one of only three ACA-accredited Adult Local Correctional Facilities in Pennsylvania. In 2024, Pennsylvania started operatingunder a Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Waiver, giving agencies in theCommonwealth (including ACJ) greater latitude to improve the overallpopulation health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with chronic medical, mental health, and substance use disorder needs.

Oversight

The Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board ensures thatthe living conditions within the prison and alternative housingfacilities support the wellbeing of their residents and that ACJ isbeing operated in accordance with its regulations and the laws andregulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and of the UnitedStates. County leadership worked hard to create a positive relationship with the Jail Oversight Board, and interactions with the Board are honest and constructive.

TheBoard investigates allegations of inadequate prison conditions andimproper practices occurring within the ACJ and may make such otherinvestigations or reviews of prison operation and maintenance. Thebooks, papersand records of the prison, including, but not limited to, the papersand records of the Warden and those relating to individual incarceratedindividuals, shall at all times be available for inspection by the Board.

Atleast twice annually, Board Members conduct an unannounced inspectionof ACJ's physical plant during which they interview a cross section ofincarcerated individuals, out of the presence of the Warden and theiragents, to determine the conditions within the prison and alternative housing facilities.

Programs

Allegheny County Jail provides a wide range of services to support residents' wellbeing, health, and rehabilitation and facilitate their successful reentry including:

• Substance Use Programs

• Case Management Services

• Pre-Release and Aftercare Services

• Re-Entry Programs

• Veterans Services Unit

• Alternative Housing

• Educational Programs

• Chaplaincy Program

• Virtual Meeting Services

About the Warden of the Allegheny County Jail

“Our community members…who are incarcerated…deserve our respect and investments so they can live full and dignified lives too.”

– Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato

Nothingsets the tone for the work of the next Warden more than these publicwords from Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. With her plans todevelop stronger youth programs, promote workforce equity, and increaseaccess to affordable housing, Executive Innamorato seeks a region inwhich incarceration is the exception, not the rule. When incarcerationis necessary, the priority will be the safety of staff and residents andthe residents' well-being and preparation for their successful returnto society.

Profile and Duties

Thenext Warden of the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) will have broadresponsibility for its operations, the residents within, the variousprograms administered by the jail (solely and in partnership with otherorganizations), the performance of the staff of ACJ, and compliance withall relevant policies and laws.

Thefollowing vision for the experience, values, and commitments of thenext Warden is inspired by the mandate set forth by Executive Innamorato.

Specifically, the Warden will be:

• Collaborative– with a demonstrated ability to work respectfully and successfullywith community groups, oversight boards, and legal community;

• Fair-minded and inspirational – committed to the success and professional development of staff and the well-being of jail residents;

• Person-centered – valuing the lived experience of system-impacted individuals and committed to having their voices inform ACJ policies; and

• Visionary– with a clear articulation of the systemic injustices that contributeto incarceration and a commitment to decision-making with this realityin mind.

Qualifications

Qualified applicants will have a Bachelor's degree in public policy, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, social work, public health, health administration,public administration, or a related field and at least 6 years ofprogressively responsible professional experience – preferably in thecontext of facilities that focus on rehabilitation or education –including the professional development of staff and responsibility forthose under their care. Additional experience may be considered a substitution for education.

Candidates are not required tohave a lengthy corrections-specific career. Individuals withsignificant leadership and management experience from adjacent fields,including public defense, policy, or other human-services-orientedroles, are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Bachelor'sdegree in public policy, criminal justice, psychology, sociology,social work, public health, health administration, publicadministration, or a related field; advanced degree a plus

• Minimumof 8-10 years of progressively responsible professional experience,including at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management rolewith direct oversight of large teams and complex operations

• Demonstratedexperience managing a large, diverse workforce in a unionizedenvironment, including collective bargaining and labor relations

• Experienceoverseeing safety, security, and daily operations for a high-populationfacility or comparably complex public-sector organization

• Gifted communicator and skilled stakeholder navigator with a steady, credible public presence; composed under media scrutiny and comfort engaging with diverse stakeholders

• Track record of developing and implementing organizational policy and procedure at scale

• Workingknowledge of correctional systems and applicable federal, state, andlocal laws and regulations governing incarcerated populations;candidates need not come from a traditional corrections career-equivalent leadership experience from law (including public defense),policy, or human services roles is welcomed

• Experience managing large public budgets

• Deep knowledge of criminal justice system

Knowledge Areas

The next Warden of the Allegheny County Jail will be knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Best practices in correctional systems

• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances regarding the safety of incarcerated persons and the physical conditions in which they are held

• Principles of education and rehabilitation within prisons and outcomes regarding re-entry

• Experiencepartnering with health and human services agencies, or overseeingrehabilitative, behavioral health, or substance use treatmentprogramming

• Motivating and supporting staff and setting clear expectations for organizational success

• Long-standing disparities within the criminal legal system

Track Record of Success

The next Warden of the Allegheny County Jail will have a track record of success in the following areas:

• Staff support, development, and accountability

• Safety and security for residents, staff, and visitors

• Collective bargaining and unionized workforces

• Policy and procedure development and implementation

• Partnershipwith health and human services agencies, including Allegheny CountyDHS, to advance integrated, whole-person care for residents