Probation, Parole & Community Supervision Officers Week

newsColorado Judicial Branch

Mary J. Mullarkey, Chief Justice

Gerald Marroney, State Court Administrator

July 19, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact:Karen Salaz

303/837-3633

1-800-888-0001 Ext. 633

Probation, Parole & Community Supervision Officers’ Week

being recognized July 17-23

Probation, Parole & Community Supervision Officers’ Week, recognizing professionals who provide public safety, victims’ services and hold offenders accountable, is being recognized July 17-23, 2005. The event, begun in 2000, recognizes probation and parole officers as an essential part of the criminal justice system.

“I am proud of the dedication and professionalism of the Judicial Department’s probationofficers and the parole officers in the executive branch for their commitment to providing safer communities,” saysColorado Supreme CourtChief Justice Mary Mullarkey. “The citizens of the state of Colorado benefit as a result of these professionalsliving and working in their communities.”

Managing offenders convicted in the state’s court system involves a multi-level approach developed to provide effective options based on risk assessments. Sentencing alternatives include probation, parole, community corrections, and prison (or for juveniles the Division of Youth Corrections). The deeper an offender pierces this system, the greater the cost to the taxpayer.

This multi-level criminal justice system allows state courts flexibility in the type of sentence an offender is given based upon his/her threat to public safety. In fiscal year 2004 the Colorado Judicial Branch’s probation department was responsible for supervising 50,427offenders (42,013 adult and 8,414 juvenile). This means mostof the state’sindividuals under the supervision of the criminal justice system were able to serve their sentences in the community, where they could continue to work to pay restitution, pay taxes, support their families and get their lives back on track.

The primary goals of probation are to hold the offender accountable, to support the victims of crime, and to assist the offender in changing his or her behavior or life circumstances in a way that will keep the offender from committing any further crimes.

“Probation officers have my enduring gratitude and appreciation,”adds Mullarkey. “It takes a special combination of skills and hard work to be an effective probation officer. The public needs to understand the importance of probation as the frontline of corrections; its success defines the level of safety in our communities.”

This information is provided as an e-mail service of the Colorado State Judicial Branch, Office of State Court Administrator, 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colo. 80203. To discontinue this service or update your e-mail address, please respond to this message with your name, contact information and any comments.