Post by Buss on May 5, 2009 9:17:48 GMT -5
May 4, 2009
Dear Editor:
Every day, men and women across Indiana don a uniform and voluntarily enter a place where
most citizens never want to go – a correctional facility. Behind the wired fences and steep walls
of such facilities live offenders who broke laws and threatened society, sometimes violently and
with no remorse. Undoubtedly, the work environment of a prison system is unlike many other
professions, with a unique set of challenges and few rewards. Nevertheless, while the
corrections field may not be glamorous, those working in it deserve the thanks and appreciation
of all Hoosiers for their vigilance and dedication to public safety.
With that in mind, I ask all Hoosiers to join me in recognizing and celebrating Correctional
Employees’ Week, May 4-11, 2009. Correctional professionals deal with the most violent and
unstable people day in and day out, yet too often, they are only publicly recognized when
something negative occurs. However, any such instances of staff misconduct are the exceptions
to the rule. Indeed, the vast majority of correctional workers show up to work, including
holidays and weekends, to patrol the offender cell blocks and dormitories, screen facility visitors,
provide substance abuse treatment, prepare offenders for their re-entry back into society, and do
the other numerous tasks involved with keeping a facility running smoothly.
As Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction, I cannot fully express how proud I
am of the Department’s 7,323 employees who do so much for their cities and our great State.
Truly, the corrections profession works as a team, made up of a staff of correctional officers,
administration, clerical, maintenance, education, counselors, physical plant, classification, and
many others. Moreover, our team would not be successful at providing public safety and
promoting re-entry without integral community partnerships. Countless volunteers take time to
provide assistance to offenders within a facility, and there are many partners who assist with the
offender re-entry effort on the outside. Truly, to achieve both the protection of the public and the
successful re-entry of offenders, the Department cannot do it alone.
So, I ask all Hoosiers to be a part of our team and extend thanks and gratitude to all correctional
workers throughout the state.
Sincerely,
Edwin G. Buss
Commissioner – Indiana Department of Correction
Dear Editor:
Every day, men and women across Indiana don a uniform and voluntarily enter a place where
most citizens never want to go – a correctional facility. Behind the wired fences and steep walls
of such facilities live offenders who broke laws and threatened society, sometimes violently and
with no remorse. Undoubtedly, the work environment of a prison system is unlike many other
professions, with a unique set of challenges and few rewards. Nevertheless, while the
corrections field may not be glamorous, those working in it deserve the thanks and appreciation
of all Hoosiers for their vigilance and dedication to public safety.
With that in mind, I ask all Hoosiers to join me in recognizing and celebrating Correctional
Employees’ Week, May 4-11, 2009. Correctional professionals deal with the most violent and
unstable people day in and day out, yet too often, they are only publicly recognized when
something negative occurs. However, any such instances of staff misconduct are the exceptions
to the rule. Indeed, the vast majority of correctional workers show up to work, including
holidays and weekends, to patrol the offender cell blocks and dormitories, screen facility visitors,
provide substance abuse treatment, prepare offenders for their re-entry back into society, and do
the other numerous tasks involved with keeping a facility running smoothly.
As Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction, I cannot fully express how proud I
am of the Department’s 7,323 employees who do so much for their cities and our great State.
Truly, the corrections profession works as a team, made up of a staff of correctional officers,
administration, clerical, maintenance, education, counselors, physical plant, classification, and
many others. Moreover, our team would not be successful at providing public safety and
promoting re-entry without integral community partnerships. Countless volunteers take time to
provide assistance to offenders within a facility, and there are many partners who assist with the
offender re-entry effort on the outside. Truly, to achieve both the protection of the public and the
successful re-entry of offenders, the Department cannot do it alone.
So, I ask all Hoosiers to be a part of our team and extend thanks and gratitude to all correctional
workers throughout the state.
Sincerely,
Edwin G. Buss
Commissioner – Indiana Department of Correction