WHEREAS, More than 25,000 citizens of Philadelphia have sworn to uphold the City Charter, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Constitution of the United States through their work with the Philadelphia Prison System; and
WHEREAS, These employees, who are employed as correctional officers, social workers, medical personnel, maintenance employees, food workers and administrative staff, work hard to foster values of service and integrity within their workplaces; and
WHEREAS, Correctional officers and employees strive to protect our communities by ensuring the security and welfare of over 9,000 people in the custody of the Philadelphia Prison System; and
WHEREAS, Correctional personnel help to ensure that inmates are afforded access to educational, vocational and religious programs that respect the dignity of incarcerated persons, while providing opportunities for prisoners to return to the community as better prepared for life challenges than when they left the community; and
WHEREAS, Correctional programs and services administered by correctional officers promote an environment in which people can change their lives and become law abiding, productive residents of the City; and
WHEREAS, Correctional workers also work in many of our neighborhoods and in organizations, to build a citywide network of coordinated assistance to help returning citizens achieve successful reintegration into our communities; and
WHEREAS, We would like to encourage all citizens to recognize the vital and beneficial work that correctional officers perform in carrying out their duties; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That we honor and recognize the week of May 5, 2014 as Correctional Employees Week in the City of Philadelphia for correctional officers and employees and we deeply appreciate their tireless work and numerous contributions within the Philadelphia Prison System.
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