West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals issued the following announcement on July 20.
The Supreme Court is celebrating national Pretrial Probation and Parole Supervision Week this week by honoring probation officers who each have more than 20 years of experience and making them available for interviews about their crucial work keeping West Virginia and its citizens safe. “The American Probation and Parole Association has set aside this week to recognize the work of probation officers, but the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has always recognized the importance of their difficult jobs,” said Chief Justice Tim Armstead. “Probation officers monitor offenders sentenced to probation or supervised release, conduct pre-sentence investigations and perform drug tests. The judicial system could not function efficiently or safely without them.” West Virginia’s 300 probation officers annually supervise more than 14,000 adults and juveniles and oversee the state’s network of adult, juvenile and family treatment courts.
“Every day circuit court judges throughout West Virginia depend upon the skill and expertise of probation officers to assist the court,” said Twenty-Ninth Judicial Circuit (Putnam County) Judge Phillip M. Stowers, who is President of the West Virginia Judicial Association. “From probation supervision to our drug court programs they are essential officers of the court. Few people know the sacrifice and the dedication of probation officers in West Virginia. They have been on the forefront of the drug addiction crisis and have helped many families and children through the most difficult times of their life,” Judge Stowers said. “It is my honor to work with such a dedicated group of individuals throughout the state,” said Probation Services Director Stephanie Bond.
“Our Probation Officers do an excellent job of not only protecting the citizens of West Virginia but in helping the probationers get their lives on track. “It is not uncommon for them to be in dangerous situations, but they respond with integrity and professionalism,” Director Bond said. “Our Probation Officers recognize the relationships needed to help the probationers, who generally understand the Officers are trying to help them. “We have Officers who primarily work in the field, going into probationers’ homes, including sex offenders. Some work mostly in the office, others work in schools with our truancy population and still yet another group work in our treatment courts with those who suffer from addiction and want help. Even during this pandemic, our Officers were in contact with their probationers through the phone, video and even socially distanced meetings. As shown through their actions, they are committed to the safety and improvement of the State of West Virginia,” Director Bond said.
Original source can be found here.