National Corrections Officers and Employees Week

Published on May 06, 2025

May 4 -10 is National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, so take time this week to recognize and appreciate the dedication and hard work of correctional officers and employees.

Former President Ronald Reagan established this week on May 5, 1984. He saw the need to create a week for correctional officers to thank them for their services and celebrate their contributions to society. During this week, various U.S. agencies honor correctional officers in our jails, prisons and community correctional facilities by organizing different programs for them.

“Correctional officers have the difficult and often dangerous assignment of ensuring the custody, safety and well-being of the over 600,000 inmates in our Nation’s prisons and jails,” Reagan wrote. “The professionalism, dedication and courage exhibited by these officers... deserve our utmost respect.”

Jackson County Corrections Department Director Diana Knapp said she is very proud of all our corrections professionals including the officers, caseworkers, records and support services personnel, the population control unit, human resources and payroll, and our nurses, behavioral health team, and volunteers.

“It takes everyone to meet the needs of our expanding population, and they do so with very challenging conditions in our aging facility,” Knapp said. “Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our staff and inmates.” 

“We are grateful for their service, the sacrifices of their families, and the continuing support of the community, our Sheriff, County Executive and other elected officials who are making the Justice With Dignity project a reality so that in 2026 we can celebrate Corrections Employees Week in our new Detention Center,” she said.

The Jackson County Corrections Department will provide a special lunch and a snack cart for staff this week.