Message from TYC Executive Commissioner Cherie Townsend
To TYC Staff:
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5187 creating "National Correctional Officers Week.” Since then, this recognition has taken place during the first week of May each year and has expanded to include all people who work in the field of corrections. This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of "National Correctional Employees Week” May 3 – 9, 2009.
Over the last seven months, I have been humbled by the work done by TYC employees and the results you achieve with youth. We take the most serious young offenders in the state – most of whom have repeatedly been in trouble with the law – and work to help them find new directions. Because of your labors, particularly all of you who are in direct care of the youth each day, not only are more than half of these young men and women able to re-enter the community and not be incarcerated again, but also are able to return to school and/or to become employed within the community. And, we continue to improve! For the past several years, the long-term data shows fewer of our youth are being re-incarcerated each year. These results are due to your professionalism and commitment to our mission. It is not easy to accomplish the seemingly competing tasks of holding young offenders accountable and providing programs that support rehabilitation--but you do that every day.
In a proclamation issued for this week by the president of the American Correctional Association, Harold W. Clarke says, “The corrections profession is one of the most challenging professions one can pursue. It is also one of the most noble. Correctional staff help keep our citizens and our communities safe…serve admirably in facilities all across the country as counselors, teachers, chaplains, health care professionals, support staff, custody officers, supervisors, wardens, and directors. They are among the most capable, committed, patient and persistent public servants in our nation…. These staff do so with limited resources, and often with little awareness or acknowledgement from those outside the field of corrections. Yet, correctional employees continue to rise to the challenge time and time again.”
I echo those sentiments. It has been an uncertain period at TYC, but day-in and day-out you continue to rise to our challenges. This is a time to pat yourself on the back and know that you are appreciated. Happy National Correctional Employees Week!
Cheryln "Cherie" K. Townsend
Executive Commissioner