CHARLESTON -– During the week of July 13-19, people across the United States and its territories will recognize the work that probation, parole and community supervision professionals do for our public safety.
Since 1841, the practice of probation and parole has played a vital role in our justice system and those who have chosen to work in those fields have been a critical part of our public safety system.
These professionals make lasting marks on our communities by assisting juvenile and adult offenders in becoming productive members of society. One day they may play the part of a counselor, the next they are enforcing the rules of an offender's supervision. They are problem solvers, crime prevention specialists, motivators, educators, facilitators and often times they are the only support system an offender may have.
West Virginia community corrections professionals are to be commended for the bravery they show when making home contacts to some of the nearly 17,978 persons under community supervision, sometimes in areas that most people would never enter. The work they do is unnoticed and little known, yet it is one of the most important jobs in community safety.
Members of our community are encouraged to join together during Probation, Parole & Community Supervision Week to honor those who work to make our communities a safer place to live.