Pracademically Speaking

About Pracademically Speaking

Pracademically Speaking is a podcast intended to highlight research and innovations within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC). Episodes include interviews with national experts and PA DOC staff members who are leading the way in cutting edge developments. A primary goal of the podcast is to bring together thought leaders (academics, practitioners, and policymakers) to stimulate further thinking about how to solve real world problems within the field of corrections. Pracademically Speaking is produced by the PA DOC’s Bureau of Planning, Research & Statistics (PRS). The mission of PRS is to evaluate programs, policies, and practices, produce statistical reports, support data needs, clearly communicate research, and foster innovation, with excellence and objectivity, to advance agency goals through data-driven, scientifically informed decision-making. Their motto is “Pracademic Excellence!”

Publisher

The PA Prisons and Parole Podcast

Category

government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Dec 2018

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 5 Oct 2026

   Episode 24: Future of AI in Corrections (w/ AI bot as guest)

   What happens when we interview AI itself about the future of AI in corrections?  For the first time on the podcast, our guest isn’t human. Meet Dr. PracaBot, an AI bot with an honorary doctorate and plenty of opinions, for a completely unscripted conversation about how artificial intelligence could transform corrections—from prison safety and recidivism … Continue reading "Episode 24: Future of AI in Corrections (w/ AI bot as guest)" (https://podcast.cor.pa.gov/2026/10/05/episode-24-future-of-ai-in-corrections-w-ai-bot-as-guest/)

2. 24 Jun 2026

   Episode 23: Justice Reinvestment program outcomes (Dr. Matt Kleiman)

   What happens after lawmakers pass criminal justice reform? Eventually, somebody has to ask: Did it actually work? In this episode, Bret Bucklen and Matt Kleiman (Executive Director of the PA Commission on Sentencing) discuss two major evaluations required under Pennsylvania’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative 2 (JRI2)—Short Sentence Parole and the State Drug Treatment Program—and what the … Continue reading "Episode 23: Justice Reinvestment program outcomes (Dr. Matt Kleiman)" (https://podcast.cor.pa.gov/2026/06/24/episode-23-justice-reinvestment-program-outcomes-dr-matt-kleiman/)

3. 30 Apr 2026

   Episode 22: Little Scandinavia (Dr. Jordan Hyatt)

   What happens when a Pennsylvania prison unit is built around dignity, normalization, and human-centered design—and then tested with real science? Recorded onsite inside SCI Chester’s nationally recognized “Little Scandinavia” unit, this episode features Dr. Jordan Hyatt (Drexel University) sharing the philosophy behind the model and early results from a randomized controlled trial on violence, misconducts, … Continue reading "Episode 22: Little Scandinavia (Dr. Jordan Hyatt)" (https://podcast.cor.pa.gov/2026/04/30/episode-22-little-scandinavia-dr-jordan-hyatt/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

54

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Pracademically Speaking

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.