John S. Shaffer, Ph.D., LLC DrJShaffer@DrJShaffer.com
Criminal Justice Consulting (717)-830-8773
Areas of Expertise
and Services
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Technology Evaluation
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Cell Phone Detection
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Drone Mitigation
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Inmate Telephone Services
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Secure e-Mail Services
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Video Surveillance Systems
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Organizational Audits
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Correctional Health Care
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Reentry Programs
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Expert Testimony
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Vulnerability Assessments
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Client/Constituent Surveys
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Post-Incident Reviews
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Workload Studies & Staffing
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RFP Development/Evaluation
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Labor Relations
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Correctional Budget Cutting
Legislative Committees
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PA Senate Resolution 6 of 2011, Advisory Committee on Capital Punishment, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Impact
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PA Senate Resolution 52 of 2009, Advisory Committee on the Children of Incarcerated Parents
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MI Public Act No. 245 of 2008, Section 607 (SB1095), Probation and Parole Workload Study
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PA Senate Resolution 381 of 2006, Advisory Committee on Wrongful Convictions
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PA Senate Resolution 149 of 2002, Advisory Committee on Lifers and Geriatric Inmates
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Numerous NIJ Peer Reviews
Current and Past Business Partners
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Urban Institute
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RTI
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RAND
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Lockheed Martin
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Leidos
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Denver University
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Corizon Health
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Keefe Group
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DeTekion
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Global Tel*Link
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National Institute of Justice
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National Institute of Corrections
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Dauphin County (Harrisburg, PA)
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ITT Exelis, Inc.
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Tata Consultancy Services
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Michigan Dept. of Corrections
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South Dakota Dept. of Corrections
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Justice and Mercy
Testimonials
Dr. Shaffer developed the RFP for the city-wide wireless mesh video surveillance system for Dauphin County and the state capitol, Harrisburg, PA.. Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) was awarded the contract to install a scalable wireless mesh solution throughout the City of Harrisburg. JCI's Account Executive stated, "I spoke with Dauphin County ... and they called the wireless project we worked together on one of their best projects ever for the county. We are now discussing adding cameras to the system and Firetide would like to publish a case study on the project. Thanks for all your assistance in making this a successful project."
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Cellphone Contraband Detection Using Portable Ferromagnetic Detectors in a Correctional Environment (RTI, 2024)
Understanding and Reducing Deaths in Custody (RTI, 2024)
Cellphone Jamming Technology for Contraband Interdiction in Correctional Settings (Urban Institute, 2023)
Cellphone Detection Canines (K9s) for Contraband Interdiction in Correctional Settings (Urban Institute, 2023)
Mitigating Contraband Via the Mail (CJTEC, 2021)
Countering Threats to Correctional Institution Security (RAND, 2019)
Managing the Seriously Mentally Ill in Corrections (RAND, 2019)
Capital Punishment in Pennsylvania: The Report of the Task Force and Advisory Committee (JSGC, 2018)
Envisioning an Alternative Future for the Corrections Sector Within the U.S. Criminal Justice System. (RAND, 2017)
Caring for Those in Custody Identifying High Priority Needs to Reduce Mortality in Correctional Facilities (RAND, 2017)
"It is both gratifying and humbling to see our work recognized at this level and contributing directly to the course of federal policymaking.
Once again, I am really appreciative of our collaboration that made all this possible."
Senior Fellow, Justice & Safety Division, Urban Institute, 2025.
Legislative Advisory Committees
PA Resolution 6 of 2011
Advisory Committee on Capital Punishment
Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Impact
PA Resolution 52 of 2009
Advisory Committee on the
Children of Incarcerated Parents
MI Public Act No. 245 of 2008
Section 607 (SB1095)
Probation and Parole Workload Study
PA Resolution 381 of 2006
Advisory Committee on
Wrongful Convictions
PA Resolution 149 of 2002
Advisory Committee on
Lifers and Geriatric Inmates
ABOUT
Dr. Shaffer has a diverse international consulting practice representing public sector, private sector, and non-profit organizations engaged in the criminal justice system. Please review the website and contact him to see how he may be of service to you.
John S. Shaffer earned a Ph.D. and an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA from Westminster College. He served the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 31 years, starting in 1977 as a Youth Development Counselor in the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) working with maximum security juvenile delinquents. He transferred to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) in 1986 and progressed through various positions as a Corrections Counselor, Personnel Analyst, Business Manager, Litigation Project Director, Deputy Superintendent, Interim Warden of the 2500 bed high-rise Allegheny County Jail (Pittsburgh, PA), and Deputy Secretary for Administration. Dr. Shaffer retired from his position as the Executive Deputy Secretary in December 2007.
Dr. Shaffer has received numerous honors and awards over the years. The PA Prison Wardens Association (PPWA) awarded him the prestigious President's Award for outstanding service to the corrections profession (2010). The PPWA previously awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award (2002). Shaffer was recognized by Westminster College as a Distinguished Alumni Lecturer (2005). He was honored with the Faculty Award for Academic Attainment and Leadership by the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA 1990). He received a commendation from former Governor Ed Rendell for serving on an Executive Steering Committee that reengineered state government ("Imagine PA" 2004), and another commendation from the Allegheny County Prison Board for outstanding service as the Interim Warden at the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, PA (1997). He twice earned the Youth Development Center (YDC) Cordis Award for his outstanding service to youth (1984 and 1985).
Since 2008, Dr. Shaffer has served as an expert consultant for public and private sector clients and non-profit agencies in the US and UK. Most recently, he has focused his work on the test and evaluation of correctional technology solutions to reduce the introduction of contraband into our nation's prisons and jails. He has partnered with many of the most well-respected research entities on numerous federal grant-funded projects designed to provide scientific research and analysis of emergent technologies to inform practitioners about performance, cost, and effectiveness of contraband mitigation products.
Dr. Shaffer has been a private pilot for over 40 years. He was the President of the Carlisle Flying Club (2014-2018), based at the Carlisle Business Airport (N94), Carlisle, PA. Check out the link below:
Short Flight - Carlisle Flying Club on Vimeo
As a 50+ year motorcycle enthusiast, he rides year-round on a 2003 100th Anniversary Gold Key Custom Edition Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster, and a 2008 150cc Taizhou Scooter.
CONTACT
John S. Shaffer, Ph.D., LLC
3917 Bridgewood Circle
Murrysville, PA 15668
Tel: 717-830-8773
Fax: 724-519-9103