Posted Monday, July 18, 2022.

20220718 Probation and Community Corrections

HUNTINGTON – The City of Huntington recognized the tireless work of the probation officers and community corrections professionals whose diligence keeps our city and county safe with a proclamation declaring July 17-23, 2022, as Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week in Huntington.

Huntington is pleased to join communities across the country who celebrate Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week annually to raise awareness of the life-changing work these professionals do on a daily basis.

“Ever since John Augustus sought a more lenient sentence from the courts for a fellow resident in 1841, probation has been available to the American legal system to provide an alternative to imprisonment. It’s hard work and it’s harder still to do the work well. I appreciate the efforts of our local probation and community corrections team members to advocate on behalf of victims and provide accountability to offenders,” Mayor Richard Strick said.

Monday afternoon’s proclamation comes just days after big news for Huntington County Community Corrections. The agency announced it has been awarded a $1.76 million Community Catalyst Grant from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction to support the Restorative Residential Work Release Program and the Transitional Housing Program at the O’Donnell Center at Victory Noll.

The O’Donnell Center was dedicated last year as a holistic, treatment-focused addictions recovery center and an alternative to incarceration. The center offers restorative programs and rehabilitative care in a residential setting in partnership with Community Corrections, Huntington County Probation, the Huntington County Drug Court and the Parkview Behavioral Health Institute.

“The Community Catalyst Grant aims to promote community-driven responses to mental health and substance abuse disorders through grant funding for innovative, collaborative and local responses,” Huntington County Community Corrections Director Leslie Rentschler said in a press release. “I am incredibly thankful for this funding and the opportunity it brings to provide meaningful care to the citizens of Huntington County.”

Proclamation – July 18, 2022

WHEREAS, probation officers, parole officers and community corrections professionals in the Huntington community demonstrate their commitment to serving and protecting their neighbors on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, Huntington’s probation officers, parole officers and community corrections professionals uphold the law with dignity; advocate for victims; and offer necessary compassion, grace and respect to offenders entrusted to their care who are seeking restoration and rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, Huntington’s probation officers, parole officers and community corrections professionals are trained professionals working in partnership with other community agencies to provide services and referrals for offenders; and

WHEREAS, Huntington’s probation officers, parole officers and community corrections professionals provide services, support and protection for victims; and

WHEREAS, Huntington’s probation officers, parole officers and community corrections professionals promote prevention, intervention and serve as advocates for our community through restorative justice;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Richard Strick, mayor of Huntington, Indiana, do hereby proclaim July 17-23, 2022, as Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week in Huntington and encourage all citizens to recognize, honor and support these community corrections professionals who serve and protect our community well.