The Isabelle and Karl Patten Award is given to a deserving community activist who embodies the spirit of Lewisburg Prison Project Founders Isabelle and Karl in their pursuit of social justice in the Susquehanna Valley.
2017: Cindy Peltier
Awarded for her commitment to serving the community. Since Peltier moved to Lewisburg, she has worked for more than a dozen organizations that serve the disempowered. Peltier is the co-founder of the CommUnity Zone and organizer for the Community Alliance for Respect and Equality. In addition, Peltier is also the First Vice President and Forum Chair for the League of Women Voters, a board member for the Donald Heiter Community Center, and an active member of the Susquehanna Valley Mediation Center.
2016: Charles Sackrey
Recognized for his work as an influential writer and activist. Sackrey joined the Lewisburg Prison Project in 1980 when he began teaching political economy courses at Bucknell University. Sackrey has played a role in the resistance against military operations in Vietnam, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and he has been arrested several times for acts of disobedience against nuclear power plants. Sackrey was the chairperson for the Organizations United for the Environment and he opened the Mondragon Bookstore in downtown Lewisburg.
2014: David Sprout
David Sprout is a paralegal and employee for the Lewisburg Prison Project. Before he was employed by the organization, Sprout served as a board member and worked at a firm in Williamsport dealing with prisoners’ legal issues.
2013: Jack Humphrey & Cliff Reiders
Both Jack Humphrey and Cliff Reiders have been longtime friends, colleagues and counsel in significant litigation. Humphrey is recognized for his pro bono work on Jordan v. Arnold, addressing serious deficiencies in ventilation, sanitary conditions, exercise and punishment of prisoners without due process of law at the Lewisburg Penitentiary. As a result of the case, the warden of the Lewisburg Penitentiary became the first warden in the United States to be held contempt in court. Rieders also handled a pro bono case of the Lewisburg Prison Project v. Fenton, where a federal court jury found that the warden violated the constitutional rights of the Lewisburg Prison Project by trying to interfere with its grant from the Catholic charity, Campaign for Human Development. Both attorneys handled the case of Ferri v. United States, which gained legal recognition for the Lewisburg Prison Project.
2012: Elayne Sobel
Elayne Sobel is recognized for her high level of community service for the organization and her commitment to social justice. Sobel works as a legal assistant for the Lewisburg Prison Project where she previously was a volunteer. Sobel’s primary job for the Prison Project is responding to letters sent by inmates.
2010: Steve Becker
Steve Becker is a criminal defense attorney who is recognized for his dedication to defend the poor. He is a member of a panel of attorneys who are appointed cases for clients who cannot afford representation and he assisted inmates in parole and immigration hearings. Becker served as board president for many years and has been a volunteer and a board member for the project for over 30 years. In addition, he has served as treasurer for the board of the Lewisburg Prison Project for several years.
2009: Angela Trop
Recognized for her many years of commitment to the human and civil rights. Trop is employed with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit working with adjudicated juveniles in Danville and she is a board member for the Lewisburg Prison Project.
