21Jul
Happy Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week!
CSOSA is excited to join the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) and agencies all around the country to mark Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision (PPPS) Week. Now in its 25th year, PPPS Week is celebrated annually during the third full calendar week of July. It’s an opportunity to honor the achievements of community corrections professionals around the country. This year’s PPPS Week is July 21 through 27.
This year’s theme – Wellness Unveiled: Navigating the Journey – emphasizes the importance of taking care of your mental and emotional health.
The work of a community corrections professional requires a high level of compassion and empathy. Over time, elevated emotional demands and pressures associated with difficult and challenging work can negatively impact health and wellbeing, placing workers at risk for compassion fatigue and burnout. With this year’s theme, we are reminded that taking care of others requires taking care of oneself.
In the Congressional Record, Congressperson Eleanor Holmes Norton recognized “the Nation’s community supervision professionals, who are dedicated public servants and perform many vital roles in their work with justice-involved adults and juveniles. Community supervision professionals identify opportunities and services to help justice-involved individuals contribute to society, while holding them accountable for their actions. They remain mindful of their role in protecting public safety.”
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a proclamation in honor of PPPS Week, noting that “the exemplary work of community corrections professionals is an essential component of the District’s justice system and plays a vital role in making the District of Columbia safer for residents and visitors.”
“CSOSA drives significant, positive changes in the lives of the people we supervise and the communities we serve. It is challenging work.” said CSOSA Director Richard S. Tischner. “The impact we have in making the District a safer place to live, work, and visit is only possible through the perseverance, commitment, and dedication of our staff.”
CSOSA salutes our dedicated staff in the Office of Community Supervision & Intervention Services and Office of Behavioral Interventions, and that of the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA). This PPPS Week and beyond we hope all community corrections professionals will prioritize improving wellness, building resiliency, and finding balance.
Click the image above to view the Congressional Record entry.
Click the image above to view the Mayoral Proclamation.
06May
Celebrating Public Service Recognition Week 2024
It’s Public Service Recognition Week! CSOSA is honored to celebrate and express gratitude to its employees for all they do. Celebrated the first full week in May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week honors the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees.
In a Proclamation on Public Service Recognition Week, President Biden said “Our Nation’s over 20 million public servants work hard to deliver for our families, communities, and country. Their work matters to people’s everyday lives: They keep neighborhoods safe and the buses running, and build futures for people in their hometowns. They are the lifeblood of our democracy, acting as brave first responders, election workers, and service members defending our country. This week, we recognize our Nation’s public servants, who do the humble yet critical work of keeping our country running.”
Each day, CSOSA employees make the decision to build a better District of Columbia and change people’s lives by working for this agency. The positive impact CSOSA has on individual lives and the community at large would not be possible without the effort of every team member in every area of the agency—whether they work with supervisees directly, or in a position that supports the functioning of the agency.
CSOSA Director Richard S. Tischner joins the heads of other federal agencies in recognizing the valuable contributions of those who have dedicated themselves to public service in the Public Service Recognition Week Co-Chair Letter.
02May
Fiscal Year 2023 Supervision Data
CSOSA uses data to provide evidence-informed and evidence-based community supervision to the people under our jurisdiction. This data shows us the progress of our supervisees as well as our own progress towards our strategic goals.
We work to enhance public safety in the District of Columbia, help integrate supervisees into the community, promote accountability for ourselves and the people we supervise, and support the fair administration of justice.
Explore our latest infographic to see the data from fiscal year 2023 to learn more about our agency and the people we supervise. For a more detailed look at our FY2023 data, visit our Reports page to read our FY2025 Congressional Budget Justification and its related documents.
05Oct
Success Story | Antoine Johnson
“I wasn’t a bad kid, but I made some bad choices that landed me in some terrible spots,” says Antoine Johnson. Those choices led to substance abuse, criminal activity, and ultimately incarceration.
Separated from his parents, Mr. Johnson began experimenting with alcohol and illicit substances at age 12. At age 16, he was caught in a stolen vehicle. Like many who have been in the juvenile justice system, Mr. Johnson became involved in the adult justice system.
After successfully completing CSOSA supervision, Mr. Johnson joined the agency as a Credible Messenger. The Credible Messenger program grants qualified individuals who go through the job application process and are accepted, the opportunity to work for CSOSA for a six-month term. Credible Messengers positions are open to those who have completed a period of probation, parole, or supervised release.
Credible Messengers use their prior life experiences to provide support to people under supervision—assisting current supervisees in articulating their goals and navigating systems to obtain services in the community. In turn, Credible Messengers receive valuable work experience that increases their employability and marketability for future career opportunities.
Watch the video to learn more about Mr. Johnson’s story and experience.
16Jul
Celebrating Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week
July 16-22 is Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision (PPPS) Week! Now in its 23rd year, PPPS Week celebrates and honors the achievements of community corrections professionals nationwide.
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) joins the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) in saluting the dedication and commitment of the individuals in CSOSA’s Office of Community Supervision & Intervention Services and Office of Behavioral Interventions, as well as the supervision professionals of our sister agency, Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA).
This year’s PPPS Week theme, Stronger Together, acknowledges that success is achieved through unity. When supervision agencies, criminal justice organizations, and community partners align, our collective goals become more attainable. Together we can positively impact public safety and help justice-involved individuals reach their full potential.
CSOSA supervision staff do important, challenging work. They make meaningful, human connections with supervisees. They use evidence-based practices to develop individualized supervision plans for the best possible outcomes. They ensure supervisees have access to appropriate community-based services. CSOSA staff see potential and capacity for change in all individuals. Their hard work and perseverance transform lives and ultimately make the District a safer place to live, work, and visit.
To learn more about PPPS Week, visit APPA’s website.
27Jun
Fiscal Year 2022 Supervision Data
Data is integral to providing evidence-informed and evidence-based community supervision to the people under our jurisdiction. Data informs our decision making and helps us track our progress towards our strategic goals.
We enhance public safety and reduce recidivism in the District of Columbia, help integrate the people we supervise into the community, promote accountability for ourselves and our supervisees, and support the fair administration of justice.
Take a closer look at our latest infographic with fiscal year 2022 supervision data to learn more about the agency, the demographics of our supervised population, the stabilization needs of those we supervise, and some of the ways we hold the people we supervise accountable.
For a more detailed look at our FY2022 data, visit our Reports page to read our FY2024 Congressional Budget Justification and its accompanying documents.
