Each year, National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (NCOEW) is a time to recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions of corrections professionals across the country. Since its establishment in 1984, NCOEW has served as a national expression of gratitude for those who work in corrections.  

A role in corrections is often a thankless job. A corrections professional's job can look different any given day: They may experience a spectrum of emotions—from sorrow due to heartbreaking events to overwhelming joy from the life transformations they see among incarcerated individuals in their care. 

Inherent to the nature of corrections is unpredictability and stress, as caring for humans requires caretakers to maintain both devotion to the rehabilitation process for incarcerated individuals and ample patience with these individuals who are undergoing it. Rehabilitation can be a messy process marked by valleys and mountaintops, where corrections professionals have a front row seat to witness–and support–this journey for incarcerated individuals.  

Furthermore, proper criminal rehabilitation does not happen overnight—and it's not possible without help and support from educators, counselors, health care providers, correctional and detention officers, and the many other roles dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals leave criminality in their past.  

Corrections professionals must maintain strong leadership skills, uphold integrity, and practice professionalism. And exhibiting these skills and values extends beyond the team of professionals on staff at any given correctional facility. Rather, corrections professionals are responsible for modeling leadership, integrity and professionalism to those in their care day-by-day.  

"Your leadership sets the tone. [My] actions shape the next generation of officers . . . [and I am helping] set the foundation for their confidence, their resilience, and their effectiveness as an officer," said Jonathan Cruz, a correctional officer at CoreCivic's Bent County Correctional Facility in Las Animas, Colorado. "Be the leader who steps in. Not to take over, but to teach." 

While corrections may be dynamic, fast paced, and evolving, it's also a deeply rewarding career that offers the opportunity to witness positive change in people. This NCOEW, observed May 4-10, let's take time to honor corrections professionals for their dedication to helping individuals on their rehabilitation journey—and the many other hats they wear to ensure our communities are safe each day.