Thank You Correctional Officers

Today is the start of Corrections Officer Week, observed the first full week each May since proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. I wholeheartedly believe these men and women deserve much more respect and appreciation than they are given, perhaps due to opinions made by those not in the field or on the front lines of this essential and challenging profession.

A few conversations I've had with individuals who felt their work was not valued, or maybe even looked down upon, really hit home when I realized how our society may tend to view this career. Perhaps we tend to judge what we do not understand, but that makes it no less important or essential to maintain law and order and public safety. I hate that there are people out there going to work each day in facilities across the country, wearing a badge which like many others, carries a great and unseen weight. Several retired correctional officers have shared with me the difficulties faced daily in a locked workplace, behind the bars which contain the worst kinds of evil and violence, and yet I think we tend to take for granted those who are not often in the public eye.

This week - if you know someone who works at a jail, detention center or department of correction - let's make an effort to thank them for what they do. A few people speaking up can greatly change public perception, so let's make the effort to recognize our CO's and the career they have chosen, one which most of us would probably be unable to handle.

"Correctional officers have the difficult and often dangerous assignment of ensuring the custody, safety and well-being of the over 600,000 inmates in our Nation’s prisons and jails. Their position is essential to the day-to-day operations of these institutions; without them it would be impossible to achieve the foremost institutional goals of security and control.” ~ President Ronald Reagan

Shout out to all Correctional Officers for what you go out and do each day. Although we do not see your work or profession as visibly as others, we know how essential you are to keeping the evils of society at bay. Thank you for your service and be safe!

community advocate • marketing consultant • voice for small business
classic car lover • salt life • believer that "together we accomplish more"