Speech of Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton - Recognizing Our Nation's Community Corrections Professionals

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the invaluable contribution to public safety made by community corrections professionals in the United States and throughout the world. Every year, the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) and its allied members set aside a week to honor these valued public servants, and this year, they have chosen July 12-18 to mark Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2015. I am proud to stand in support of corrections professionals not only in the District of Columbia but around the world.

In the nation's capital, thousands of women and men serve as pretrial, probation and parole officers or administrators. As public servants, these constituents, along with many other Americans, commit themselves on a daily basis to helping improve the lives of those involved in the criminal justice system. Mr. Speaker, the work of these professionals ultimately results in stronger and safer communities for all.

Community corrections professionals are responsible for supervising adult and juvenile offenders in communities throughout our nation. In many cases, these trained professionals go above and beyond the call of duty by providing their clients supportive services or referrals to critical community-based resources, employment opportunities and housing programs. Additionally, community corrections professionals provide services, support, and protection for victims, while continuously promoting the importance of crime prevention and restorative justice.

In honor of Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2015, I recognize, in particular, the community corrections and supervision services carried out here in the District of Columbia by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA) and the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA). CSOSA and PSA stand out as model community supervision agencies due to both their professionalism and their novel, partnership-based approach to reentry and public safety in the District of Columbia.

On any given day, CSOSA is responsible for supervising approximately 12,000 individuals on probation, parole or supervised release, whereas PSA supervises roughly 20,000 defendants. Charged with having to balance issues of public safety with social services and reentry support, the employees of CSOSA and PSA help to enhance the security of everyone that lives, works or visits the District of Columbia, I extend my gratitude to these public servants for their commitment, compassion and contributions to healthier and safer communities throughout the District of Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in acknowledging the impact community corrections professionals have on the quality of life of so many Americans, and recognizing July 12-18 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2015.

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