Press Release

RICHMOND — Virginia’s Probation and Parole officers play a critical role in keeping our communities safe. Their dedication will be honored this week, which is Probation & Parole Officer Appreciation Week in the Commonwealth and across the country.

Whether it’s answering a phone call in the middle of the night, offering encouragement before a job interview, or holding someone accountable for a violation of his terms of supervision, Probation and Parole officers play a critical – if often unseen – role in guiding offenders toward successful reintegration into the community.

P&P officers deserve considerable credit for Virginia’s low recidivism rate, currently the second lowest in the nation.

“Our officers do an incredible job helping returning citizens find a better path while also holding them responsible for their actions,” said Virginia Department of Corrections Director Harold Clarke. “Our P&P officers use evidence-based practices to improve outcomes, guiding offenders based on what research shows us is working.”

Virginia’s P&P officers bring resources and people together in ways that promote positive, often transformational change. P&P officers foster reentry success through programs involving peer support, family reunification, anger management, motivational interviewing, and job readiness workshops.

“When returning citizens succeed, everyone benefits. Our P&P officers answer a vital need, and we owe them our heartfelt gratitude as they work throughout our communities,” Director Clarke said.

The VADOC employs approximately 625 P&P officers and approximately 125 senior P&P officers who supervise more than 58,600 offenders in 43 state probation and parole districts throughout the Commonwealth.

More information on the VADOC can be found at www.vadoc.virginia.gov.