HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three individuals from the Correctional Service of South Korea will visit the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections' Office of Planning, Research and Statistics this week to research the agency's treatment programs and risk assessment for sex offenders.

"We are pleased to meet with these individuals and to discuss with them how Pennsylvania's prison system works," Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said. "We are proud of our system and look forward to sharing our knowledge and experience with others."

Touring the DOC will be Han Hee Do, Lee Jaeho and Yoon Jongwon. They were selected for a Korean Government Overseas Fellowship, which is awarded only to a small number of applicants each year. The fellowship is designed for government officials helping Korea adapt to a changing international society.

In addition to Pennsylvania, the group visited the Minnesota DOC and one of Ontario's correctional facilities.

"Our system is widely recognized as one of the most, if not the most, advanced corrections systems in the nation for using research and evidence to guide every aspect of our practice including our treatment programming," said Planning, Research and Statistics Director Kristopher "Bret" Bucklen.

"Our use of research and technology to develop a more effective and efficient correctional system is one of our hallmarks.  It is our hope that we can share our experience of developing a more rational and evidence-based corrections system with the Korean delegation and to learn from their experience as well," Bucklen said.

Media contact: Susan McNaughton, 717-728-4025

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Corrections