Roundtree is Prison Society's Correctional Professional of the Year

Published on August 29, 2025

“Steady, compassionate and committed.”

Those words were used by a Pennsylvania Prison Society spokesperson when describing current ACJ Unit Manager and former Pennsylvania Department of Corrections employee and Gerald Roundtree.

“His calm, principled and people-centered approach to leadership is admirable,” the spokesperson added.

Prison Society leadership thinks so much of Roundtree and his work that they will recognize him on Tuesday, Sept. 17, during the society’s annual “Love Above Bars” event at Triple Bottom Brewing in Philadelphia.

That’s where he will formally be honored as the society’s Correctional Employee of the Year.

“Flabbergasted!”

That’s the word Roundtree, or “Tree” as many of his coworkers call him, used to describe how he felt when Warden Trevor Wingard told him about the recognition.

“It was just like, ‘Wow,’” he said while taking a short break from his duties on Level 6.

At first, Roundtree thought the warden was kidding. Then a representative of the Prison Society showed up at an ACJ staff meeting and announced the honor.

That’s when it really sunk in that he had, in fact, been selected.

“It’s truly an honor,” he said.

ACJ Major Jack Vanchieri said the honor was well deserved and that Roundtree has the perfect personality for the juvenile pod, which is part of his oversight duties.

“They gravitate toward him,” Vanchieri said. “When he talks to them, they listen.”

Roundtree was selected for the employee of the year honor following an internal nomination and review process by Prison Society leaders. They look for individuals whose work “(m)eaningfully advances our mission to promote the health, safety and dignity of incarcerated people and their loved ones.”

Roundtree, according to the Society, stood out for his “exceptional leadership, long-standing service and unwavering dedication to youth and corrections reform.”

Roundtree came to ACJ as a captain in August 2023 following a lengthy career in state corrections.

He was named unit manager of the juvenile pod earlier this year.

He is now preparing his speech for the award ceremony.

“I never expected this,” he said. “I always thought showing up, doing my work then getting a paycheck was (recognition) enough.”

Media inquiries may be directed to Jesse Geleynse, Public Information Officer for the Allegheny County Jail
jesse.geleynse@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-1267 or 412-760-4760 (cell).