Big shout out to all of my correctional officers at the Perry County Jail. Thank you all for doing a job that most people would never consider.
Posted by Nick Weems on Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Reprinted from Nick Weems Facebook page.
A PROCLAMATION
National Correctional Officers and Employees Week
May 2–8, 2021
An opportunity to honor, praise and cherish all of the men and women serving in corrections
Since our nation’s founding, Americans have honored and celebrated members of our military, first responders and volunteers who protect and serve their country and their communities. On the first Saturday in May 1984, then-President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation calling upon the country to pay tribute to corrections professionals. This proclamation created a week of commemoration of the work done by correctional officers — an honor many felt was long overdue.
In 1996, Congress changed the name of National Correctional Officers Week to National Correctional Officers and Employees Week to rightfully credit all of the women and men who serve by working in corrections. This is truly a special week to celebrate and bring awareness to the importance and significance of our profession. National Correctional Officers and Employees Week is a fitting occasion to honor, specifically, the dedicated public servants in our nation’s correctional systems.
“The professionalism, dedication and courage exhibited by these officers throughout the performance of these demanding and often conflicting roles deserve our utmost respect,” stated Reagan in his May 5, 1984, proclamation 5187. “The important work of correctional officers often does not receive the recognition from the public it deserves. It is appropriate that we honor the many contributions and accomplishments of these men and women who are a vital component of the field of corrections.”
This year, it is especially important to honor and thank corrections professionals serving our country. In past years, this week was marked with ceremonies, awards and events to show appreciation for these workers. The American Correctional Association encourages you to initiate, support and embrace new ways of honoring these critical public servants as they perform their duties in an especially challenging time. This current worldwide emergency highlights the bravery that corrections professionals show every day in challenging situations. We dedicate these seven days annually to recognize these great public servants, but we should not hesitate to make every day an opportunity to honor, praise and cherish all of the women and men in corrections.
With the highest degree of respect,
Tony C. Parker
ACA President
Pictured left to right: CO Hunter Karpati, Chief Deputy Bart Rosson, Administrative Secretary Hunny Thomas, Sheriff Nick Weems, Jail Administrator Capt. April Morgan, CO Amy Stockstill and CO Sherry Maza
