When we think of people involved with public safety we think about policemen, firefighters and paramedics and rightfully so, but there are so many behind the scenes people who work with very little notice as well.

So this week of July 21 through 27, people across the United States and Canada will join together to recognize Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week (P.P.P.S. Week), with the goal of raising awareness about the important work community corrections professionals do for our public safety.

The Vision Statement of the Adams County Court Services Department (A.C.C.S.D.) is “Protecting Our Communities by Changing Lives.” In both pretrial and probation supervision, the A.C.C.S.D. uses evidence-based principles to support the clients they supervise to become productive, law-abiding citizens by helping them make lasting changes in their lives, while keeping them living in their home community.

Wendy Venvertloh, Director of Court Services commented “Our officers are most often involved in this work because they see it is a calling. They believe it is a responsibility to strengthen and improve our communities by working with those on probation to change their behavior. In doing so, the officers help individual clients have more fulfilling lives, as well as make our communities safer, better places to live.”

Probation is the most frequently utilized sentencing alternative utilized by the Illinois Court System providing the courts with a cost effective, community-based alternative to incarceration. At any given time, the 24 members of the Adams County Probation Department supervise approximately 1,150 adults and juveniles on probation and 250 on pretrial supervision.

Citizens are encouraged to join together during Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week to honor those who work to make our communities a safer place to live.

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