Mercer prison gets new boss

MERCER, Pa. — A 26-year state corrections veteran has been appointed superintendent at the State Corrections Facility at Mercer.

Michael W. Harlow replaces Paul Stowitzky, who will retire this month after more than 29 years with the department. Harlow’s appointment was effective Jan. 13.

As superintendent, Harlow will oversee the complete operation of the state prison, which employs more than 390 individuals and houses more than 1,300 inmates.

Harlow began his corrections career in 1982 as a corrections officer at State Correctional Institution-Rockview, Bellefonte, Pa., and was promoted to sergeant in 1987. In 1988, he transferred to SCI- Smithfield, Huntingdon, Pa., where he served as sergeant, lieutenant and captain. During this same time, until 2000, he also served as the central region coordinator for the Corrections Emergency Response Team.

Harlow was promoted to major of the guard at SCI- Rockview in 2000. In 2004, he served as deputy superintendent for the facility management at SCI- Albion in Albion, Pa. He transferred to SCI- Smithfield, serving in the same capacity, in 2007.

A graduate of Huntingdon Area High School, Harlow is a Marine Corps veteran, and he has been a member of the Pennsylvania Prison Wardens Association since 2004.