It’s estimated that in the United States alone, correctional professionals oversee over 5 million justice-involved adults. And while the work is incredibly important, some say it’s often a thankless job.
That’s why APPA puts on this annual week of appreciation. “It’s an honor for me to be recognized this way,” says Kerrie Behrman who has been a Multnomah County parole/probation officer for 11 years now.
On Thursday, DCJ director Scott Taylor and Behrman were going to deliver a proclamation before the board of commissioners declaring the week of July 12-18 Multnomah County’s Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision week.
But, due to scheduling conflict with the annual APPA teaching institute in Los Angeles, Calif., many weren’t able to make the event and it was cancelled. Still, the board will give their consent on the item before addressing the meeting’s main agenda.
Regardless of a big event — Taylor says the week still stands as “recognition of the outstanding work to make communities safer that our parole, probation and pretrial folks do every day.”
And despite the absence of a proclamation this week, don’t shy away from thanking your local parole/probation officer or pretrial counselor.
“Probation, parole and pretrial folks work in difficult situations every day and change lives,” Taylor says.