Heroes Behind the Mission: Changing Lives, Securing Safety

The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) joins agencies nationwide in celebrating National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week. Created by the American Probation and Parole Association 25 years ago, this annual observance highlights the essential work of community corrections professionals who promote accountability, support successful reintegration, and provide opportunities to criminal-justice involved individuals that benefit the individuals and communities, and enhance public safety.

“This year’s theme, ‘Heroes Behind the Mission: Changing Lives, Securing Safety,’ perfectly captures what our dedicated team accomplishes every day in the District of Columbia,” said CSOSA Acting Director Denise A. Simmonds. “Our staff are true heroes who work tirelessly to transform lives and strengthen our community.”

CSOSA provides comprehensive supervision and interventions services to adults on probation, parole, and supervised release in Washington, DC, offering pathways to successful transformation through evidence-based programs and individualized support. Our community supervision officers and behavioral intervention staff provide guidance, support, and behavioral interventions that meet the unique needs of the individuals in our supervised population, hold them accountable for non-compliance, and positively reinforce pro-social change.

The agency’s success also depends equally on the dedicated professionals who work behind the scenes and form the infrastructure that enables every success story. Every role contributes to the mission—administrative support, information technology, finance, procurement, research, human resources, legal counsel, community outreach, and more. “The services provided by our behind-the-scenes staff are integral to the agency’s ability to change lives for the better and to secure public safety,” the Acting Director noted. “While the public may not see their daily efforts, the direct impact of their work supports the provision of supervision and interventions services, enhances the ability of the agency to meet its mission, and is felt throughout our community.”

Through evidence-based practices and dedicated staff, CSOSA provides its supervised population with the tools and social service supports integral to reducing recidivism and making Washington, DC, safer. Each day, the agency’s heroes behind the mission work to ensure that supervision serves as a bridge to successful reintegration rather than a barrier to progress.

We also recognize the hardworking professionals of our sister agency, the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia, who promote pretrial justice and enhance community safety in Washington, DC, for individuals who remain in the community pending resolution of a criminal case. By monitoring compliance with pretrial conditions of release, such as drug testing, and encouraging appearances at scheduled hearings, PSA supports the fair administration of justice while balancing public safety.

Thank you to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel E. Bowser and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for your public recognition of our community corrections professionals and their important contributions to making DC a safer place to live, work, and visit.