The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) has declared July 19 to July 25, 2020, as Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week (#PPPSWeek)! This annual celebration recognizes the great work done by community corrections professionals on a daily basis. Here, at CSOSA, we again join the APPA and a host of other agencies throughout the country in thanking the community corrections and supervision workforce. Every day, they work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and assist justice-involved individuals in their quest for successful reentry.
We are particularly grateful for our supervision workforce this year as they have readily adapted to changes in supervision as a result of the current health pandemic. “This year, especially, you have demonstrated great ingenuity and resolve in continuing our important work on behalf of the community we serve. You are giving the people we supervise opportunities to stay on the right path, and holding them accountable when they make choices that threaten public safety,” said CSOSA Director Richard Tischner.
On July 20, 2020, the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s Delegate to the House of Representatives, thanked the dedicated public servants who carry out community corrections and supervision services “for their commitment, compassion, and contributions to healthier and safer communities.” Norton noted that CSOSA and our sister agency, the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA), “are dedicated to reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety in the nation’s capital. CSOSA and PSA are recognized as model community supervision entities because of [our] use of evidence-based practices and community partnerships.”
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a proclamation “salut[ing] those who have chosen this socially and civically important career.” Echoing Norton’s reference to the community partnerships forged by CSOSA, Bowser remarked that “community supervision agencies are valuable partners of DC government agencies, non-profits, neighborhood-based groups, and all who strive to make our nation safer and stronger.”
To all of CSOSA’s Community Supervision Officers and to the Pretrial Supervision Officers of our sister agency, PSA, we salute you for your unceasing efforts to positively impact public safety in the District of Columbia. We also thank all of our staff, who make it possible for our supervision officers to effectively enhance public safety for those who visit, work, and live in this city.