The Blog
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05/27/10
The sheer size of the work we do at the Department of Corrections – incarcerate more than 16,000 offenders in prisons, supervise nearly 20,000 offenders in communities, ensure the state’s third-largest agency operates smoothly 24/7, including holidays – is so large and consuming that our staff members rarely take time to celebrate their achievements.
If we hadn’t set aside May as Corrections Pride Month several years ago our staff members would continue to do the work without acknowledging the direct impact they have on public safety. Whether they are securing a prison tier, doing field contacts at a homeless encampment or supporting the staff members who are on the front lines each day, our staff members are accustomed to receiving little recognition.
That’s why I’m glad that throughout this month our prisons and field offices across the state are planning celebrations, whether it’s a potluck, a barbecue or a picnic. Like other state agencies, we don’t have money set aside for celebrations so our staff members volunteer their time and own money to make these events possible.
Like all state agencies we have experienced across-the-board staff reductions during the past year. The impacts on our staff members and their families as we have closed prison units and community corrections have been dramatic, sometimes even traumatic.
Yet amid all the layoffs and changes we have operated relatively smoothly over the past year. That alone is a remarkable achievement, and it’s all because our staff members continue to focus on public safety even during times of uncertainty. It says a lot about the integrity of the people who work for the Department of Corrections.
During Corrections Pride Month, no one is more proud of our staff than I am.
