Who We Are

  • Founder & Board Chair

    John E. Wetzel is a dynamic and accomplished leader in the realm of corrections, community engagement, community safety, and criminal justice reform.

    Born and raised in the heart of Pennsylvania, John’s journey from a small-town dreamer to a nationally recognized advocate for transformative change is nothing short of remarkable. Indeed, John served as the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, under both a Republican and Democratic Governor, and is the longest-serving Corrections Secretary in Pennsylvania’s history.

    Educated in criminal justice and administration, John’s professional journey began in the early 1990s, when he cut his teeth working in various capacities within the correctional system. His pragmatic approach and commitment to innovation quickly set him apart. Rising through the ranks, he became a trailblazer, challenging the conventional norms that had long defined the correctional landscape, becoming warden in Franklin County at the age of 32.

    John became Secretary of Corrections in 2011 and ushered in an era of innovation and evidence-based practices. His tenure was characterized by a comprehensive vision that sought to collect and utilize data and address the complex issues surrounding incarceration. Under his leadership, Pennsylvania’s correctional system underwent a paradigm shift, emphasizing rehabilitation, education, and reintegration. All the while, John insisted and ensured that the Department was committed to victims’ rights.

    One of John’s key contributions was his dedication to education within the prison system. Recognizing the transformative power of learning, he championed initiatives to expand educational programs behind bars, offering inmates a chance to acquire skills that would significantly enhance their prospects upon release. Through partnerships with educational institutions, vocational training programs flourished, contributing to reduced recidivism rates and fostering a sense of hope among the incarcerated.

    In addition to educational reforms, John spearheaded efforts to modernize correctional facilities, integrating technology and data-driven approaches to enhance safety and security. His administration prioritized transparency and accountability, implementing measures to track and address issues related to inmate welfare, staff professionalism, and overall system efficiency.

    While he approached his role with a commitment to systemic change, John also understood the importance of individual stories. He personally engaged with inmates, listened to their concerns, and celebrated their successes, embodying a compassionate leadership style that resonated throughout the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. John has always understood that justice, fairness, and community safety wear no party labels. Instead, discipline, integrity, an appreciation for data and best practices, and a commitment to making positive systematic change are what lead to meaningful and tangible improvements, both within and outside of correctional systems.

    Having reduced the footprint of corrections in Pennsylvania, our communities, having put into place an understanding of the upstream factors that drive criminal behavior, having changed the culture at Pennsylvania’s correctional institutions, having worked with a variety of legislators in both parties and stakeholders representing a variety of interests, John is uniquely positioned to know that our correctional and justice systems are still plagued by significant and detrimental gaps, gaps that too often result in destructive outcomes in our communities.

  • Executive Director

  • Senior Vice-President for Projects and Partnerships

    Mike Thompson has spent nearly 30 years leading and advising nonprofit, government, and philanthropic organizations. Since 2022, he has worked independently as a consultant to large, national foundations and individual donors starting new philanthropic initiatives. Other clients include national membership associations, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and leaders in state and local government across the U.S. Each of these clients has sought Mike’s expertise in designing and executing successful strategies to influence policy at the local, state, and federal levels.

    Before he launched his consulting business, Mike was a senior vice president at the Pew Charitable Trusts. Over five years, he oversaw much of Pew’s domestic policy work, designing new initiatives on a broad range of topics, including housing, mental health, public health, and state fiscal policy.

    Before Pew, Mike worked for 20 years at the Council of State Governments. At CSG, Mike founded the Justice Center, where Republicans and Democrats relied on his team’s analysis of data and their front-line experience working in policing, courts, corrections, health, victim services, and other systems. His efforts generated groundbreaking research, unprecedented bipartisan coalitions, and the passage of state and federal laws that have transformed criminal justice policy in the US.

    Mike has been quoted extensively in the national and local media and testified frequently before the U.S. Congress. He has spent extensive time in most state capitols, presenting on countless occasions to governors, state legislators, judges, and other leaders. Mike received his BA from Middlebury College. He is fluent in Spanish.