Niagara County Celebrates National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week

Pictured from left to right are: Kimberly Vosler, Probation Officer; Susan Woock, Probation Supervisor; Tracy Simpson, Clerical; Jennifer Drake, Probation Officer; Jerome Sperrazza, Probation Supervisor; Michael Torie, Probation Officer; Deborah LaRock, Probation Director; John J. Cicchetti, retired as Probation Director on June 30.

Here is the proclamation passed by the Niagara County Legislature:

WHEREAS, community correction, comprised of Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Services, is an essential part of the justice system, promoting community and restorative justice, and

WHEREAS, community corrections professionals are trained professionals who provide services and referrals for offenders, working in partnership with community agencies and groups, and

WHEREAS, community corrections professionals promote prevention, intervention, and advocacy and provide services, support, and protection for victims, and

WHEREAS, in Niagara County, we are fortunate to have a team of nearly 50 women and men in the Probation Department preforming these essential functions, and

WHEREAS, the Niagara County Probation Department is focused on protecting the community, rehabilitating the offender and preserving family life, and

WHEREAS, our Probation Department completed over 1000 pre-sentence investigations in 2022, with 330 of those being for felony cases, received 570 pretrial release cases in addition to the criminal court caseload of nearly 1000 individuals, and were involved in another 130 PINS cases and over 200 Juvenile Delinquent cases through Family Court intake, and

WHEREAS, our probation department plays an integral role in intervening in the lives of high risk individuals through the Juvenile Risk Intervention Services Coordination program and e-Connect; the Gun Involved Violence Elimination program; and the Employment Focused Services Program. All of which help address negative actions and build positive, productive behaviors with the goal of reducing recidivism, and

WHEREAS, yet, those in community corrections, like our Probation Department, often go unrecognized for their significant and dedicated efforts to keeping our community, now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the Niagara County Legislature does hereby proclaim July 16-23, 2023 as “Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week” to thank those in the Niagara County Probation Department for the tremendous job they do and let them know the community appreciates all they do.