Office Of The Governor Proclamation- -Probation and Parole Officer Week July 15-21,2012

Here is the text of a proclamation from the Governor's Office, proclaiming July 15-21 "Probation and Parole Officer Week":

Office Of The Governor Proclamation

WHEREAS, New Jersey's parole and probation professionals, both sworn and civilian, protect our families and communities by helping adult and juvenile offenders learn to make decisions that will help them reenter society as law-abiding citizens; and
WHEREAS, national studies show that parole and community-based programs for offenders protect the public by fighting recidivism; and
  WHEREAS, these programs directly target factors leading to new crimes, specifically, the lack of employment opportunities, lack of education and job skills, addiction and mental health problems; and
WHEREAS, these crime-prevention programs avert rising costs related to property damage, victim injuries, incarceration and extensive legal processes, thereby generating large savings to our State and communities; and
WHEREAS, parole and probation professionals develop partnerships among government agencies and the private sector, advocating community and restorative justice and seeking solutions to prevent new crimes;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim:
JULY 15 THROUGH JULY 21, 2012
AS PROBATION, PAROLE
AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION WEEK
in recognition of the dedication of parole and probation professionals to upholding the law and safeguarding the public from crime.
GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this fifth day of July in the year two thousand twelve, the two hundred thirty-seventh year of the Independence of the United States.
CHRIS CHRISTIE
Governor
KIM GUADAGNO
Lt. Governor

Probation Association of New Jersey Celebrates Probation, Parole, and Community Supervision Week  July 15th through the 21st, 2012 TRENTON, NJ – July 9th, 2012 - The Probation Association of New Jersey (PANJ) will recognize and celebrate the work of probation and parole officers during Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week from July 15 through July 21.PANJ represents 2,800 probation officers and supervisors who oversee 120,000 adults and 15,000 juveniles in New Jersey, making it the 10th largest adult probation system in the nation.  PANJ has resolved more than 7 million cases through their various courts, proving that probation can indeed lead to rehabilitation. Since 1841, the practice of probation and parole has played a vital role in our justice system. These professionals are a critical part of the public safety system. They are a force for positive change—yesterday, today and tomorrow. Probation officers and staff are deeply involved in multiple judicial functions such as supervising convicted criminals including sex offenders and violent offenders, overseeing juvenile offenders, ensuring that child support orders are followed, providing family and pre-trial court services, and recommending remanding offenders to jail for violating probation, for violating community service, and for custody investigations. PANJ President George Christie said, “Offenders are given a choice, but it is our probation officers that lead them in the right direction in becoming valuable members of our towns, communities and state. Our officers help probationers make the right decisions for themselves by providing choices and transforming them into upstanding citizens.” Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated and caring individuals in your community who work tirelessly to make your neighborhoods safer and more vibrant places to live and rear families. These professionals are on duty each and every day to assist juvenile and adult offenders in becoming better citizens with productive live. Officers respond to the needs of crime victims through victim advocacy services and community supervision. When offenders are in violation of their sentences, officers act immediately and such in-depth service ensures a brighter future for all. 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. For additional information about Probation, Parole & Community
Supervision Week, please contact George Christie, President of the Probation
Association of New Jersey at 732-223-1799. About The Probation Association of New Jersey (PANJ) PANJ represents an estimated 2,800 probation officers and supervisors statewide employed by the Judiciary through two collective bargaining units that include other professional personnel. PANJ representatives attend APPA training institutes nationwide and PANJ is an affiliate member of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA).