Safe Inside is a national initiative that combines research and operational insight to improve working and living conditions in state correctional systems. Safe Inside focuses on trends in the corrections workforce, and what those mean for public safety, state spending, and the health and well being of people who work and live behind the walls. Safe Inside is conducted in partnership with the Correctional Leaders Association. It was made possible through funding support provided by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Additional assistance is provided by Arnold Ventures.
John Wetzel, Project Chair
John is a longtime corrections leader and reformer who served as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Corrections under both Republican and Democratic governors — the longest-serving in state history. Known for a pragmatic, data-driven approach, he advanced evidence-based practices, strengthened education and vocational programs, and modernized facilities to improve safety, transparency, and reentry outcomes while maintaining a strong focus on victims’ rights. He now leads the Keystone Restituere Justice Center (KRJC), guiding strategy and partnerships to improve community safety and outcomes across the justice system. Wetzel works across party lines and with diverse stakeholders, pairing compassion with accountability to reduce recidivism and make communities safer.
Michael Thompson, Project Director
Mike has spent more than 30 years leading and advising nonprofit, government, and philanthropic organizations. He has been a senior executive with The Pew Charitable Trusts and with The Council of State Governments, where he founded and led the Justice Center. His work in the area of corrections has prompted hearings by the U.S. Congress and countless state legislatures, leading to major bipartisan state and federal initiatives focused on justice reinvestment, behavioral health, and reentry.Angela Gunter has worked for over 15 years in the field of criminal justice policy analysis. She focuses primarily on providing research and data analysis support to county and state agencies on various initiatives to improve the public sector response to people involved in the justice system. She has managed projects both large and small, including statewide efforts under the Justice Reinvestment Initiative program and a 50-state revocations survey, as well as county efforts to improve pretrial processing of individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
Angie Gunter, Project Manager
Angie has worked for over 15 years in the field of criminal justice policy analysis. She focuses primarily on providing research and data analysis support to county and state agencies on various initiatives to improve the public sector response to people involved in the justice system. She has managed projects both large and small, including statewide efforts under the Justice Reinvestment Initiative program and a 50-state revocations survey, as well as county efforts to improve pretrial processing of individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
Monica Peters, Project Manager
Andrew Barbee
Andrew Barbee directs the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Office of Strategic Initiatives and Modernization and is the American Correctional Association’s 2024 Peter P. Lejins Research Award recipient. A policy and research leader across corrections, courts, and the legislature, he joined TDCJ in October 2019 to build a new research and development function and has since helped tackle staff retention, program evaluation, and risk assessment while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. His work advances research-driven practices that protect the public, create opportunities, and support rehabilitation.
Scott Semple
Scott Semple is the former commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Correction, a career leader who began as a frontline corrections officer and later served as training coordinator, in external and legislative affairs, and as warden of the state’s men’s mental-health treatment facility. As commissioner, he advanced performance-based practices, repurposing facilities for specialized therapeutic populations, and expanding agency-wide staff wellness initiatives. After retiring in 2019, he founded Semple Consulting LLC and serves as a senior expert advising on criminal justice and corrections.
