CSEA honors workers during "Pretrial, Probation and Parole Week"

ALBANY, NY (07/19/2013)(readMedia)-- CSEA President Danny Donohue today recognized union members across the state who work in probation services by declaring July 21 - 27, 2013 as "Pretrial, Probation and Parole Week."

"On behalf of nearly 300,000 CSEA members across New York state, I am pleased to recognize, each year, our members who are probation professionals," Donohue said. "The work they perform often goes unnoticed by the general public because we don't see it every day. But make no mistake about it, their dedication to their jobs and commitment to the public makes our communities safer for all of us."

Pretrial, Probation and Parole Week is meant to honor a segment of the work force that deserves great respect. Probation professionals are a vital part of every New York state county work force and have an important dual role in the public safety field. Not only do they work with the justice system to protect the public from crime, violence and abuse, but they also aid in prevention, helping rehabilitate law offenders to rejoin society in a positive way.

As with all public safety work, these professionals often put their own well being at risk to keep people and their community's safe. CSEA realizes the high level of commitment and the special dedication these workers have to the public they serve.

Economic issues have caused an increase in crime over the past few years, causing a higher number of cases probation professionals must supervise to keep the public secure. "When there is an economic downturn the public need for government services increases dramatically," Donohue said.

CSEA is New York state's leading union, representing employees of the state and its counties, towns, villages, school districts, library systems, authorities and public benefit corporations. Together with a growing population of private sector members and retirees, CSEA is the largest affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which is one of the largest affiliates of the AFL-CIO.

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