Dr. Mike Pittaro

Director of Corrections

University PROFESSOR

AUTHOR

Public SPEAKER

My Story

Dr. Mike Pittaro is the Director of Corrections for Northampton County, Pennsylvania and an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice with American Military University.

He has 35 years of experience and education in criminal justice, namely corrections administration.

Dr. Pittaro holds a PhD in criminal justice; an MPA in public administration, and a BS in criminal justice. Among his nearly 200 publications, including 5 book publications, he is the the author of the forthcoming book, Special Populations in Corrections, which is scheduled for publication in June 2025.

His areas of expertise are in correctional leadership and in providing education and awareness of burnout, stress, and suicide among criminal justice professionals. He is a QPR certified suicide prevention facilitator and has a master’s certification in emotional intelligence.

Best Sellers

All Books

Corrections is a complex, challenging, and vital component of our criminal justice system. In Contemporary Corrections, criminal justice experts Michael Pittaro and Christine Hess Orthmann explore the delicate balance corrections seeks to maintain between the rights of society and the rights of individuals convicted of infringing upon society’s rights.

The book introduces students to the myriad challenges and realities facing corrections today, not only regarding the types of facilities and populations that exist but also regarding the issues experienced by those who work in the field.

Part I examines the historical context from which our present correctional system has evolved and how various sentencing and diversion practices are used. Part II discusses traditional and alternative correctional sanctions from community corrections to carceral sanctions to the release of offenders. In Part III, students learn about the human factor in corrections. Chapters describe special correctional populations and the correctional personnel responsible for the care and custody of offenders. The final part reviews corrections at work, including special challenges such as gangs, riots, drugs and overcrowding, evidence-based treatment, and prisoners’ rights and other legal issues.

Providing a comprehensive introduction, Contemporary Corrections is ideal for undergraduate students majoring in criminal justice and related fields.

Highlights

“Dr. Pittaro is highly effective in the classroom, prolific with his scholarly activity, and has a commitment to service to the department and to his profession.”

– Dr. John Kraybill-Greggo (April 2023)