A Philadelphia native, Richard Petrelli has over 40 years of IT experience, the last 10 as Management Information Services Director for the Philadelphia Prison System.  Prior to starting his employment with the PPS in May 1994, Mr. Petrelli's career was spent in private industry, government, higher education, and hospitals.  Additionally, he has worked as an IT consultant.

Mr. Petrelli is the first MIS Director of the Philadelphia Prison System.  During his tenure, the MIS Division has installed and has upgraded the computer systems hardware/software and networking infrastructure and has developed and maintained the PPS' Integrated Jail Management System along with its various interfaces with the Courts, Police, Probation/Parole, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Social Security Administration, Citizen's Bank, Keefe Commissary Network, and others.  Mr. Petrelli also implemented electronic mail and developed the means by which PPS policies and procedures as well as system documents can be viewed through the establishment of the PPS intranet.

Under his leadership, the MIS Division was honored as Unit of the Year in 1999, for the work performed in preparation for Y2K.  In 2001, Mr. Petrelli received the Commissioner's Award for Distinguished Service, and in 2003, the MIS Division was honored once again with a Commissioner's Letter of Appreciation for outstanding service to the PPS in the containment and clean up of a series of viruses that infiltrated the City network.