In 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation establishing the first full week of May as National Correctional Officers Week. He recognized correctional officers as “a vital component of the field of corrections,” noting the increasingly complex and demanding nature of their jobs.
“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.”
More than four decades later, that legacy of service continues — and has been formally recognized by governors across the country in 2025.
As National Correctional Officers Week is observed from May 4–10, several states have issued official proclamations honoring the vital work of correctional officers and employees who uphold safety and security within correctional facilities, often without fanfare or recognition.
Virginia
Governor Glenn Youngkin proclaimed May 4–10, 2025, as Correctional Officers’ Week in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The proclamation highlights the critical role correctional officers play in promoting public safety, supporting rehabilitation efforts and maintaining order within facilities. It notes that officers “often go above and beyond serving the facilities in which they work and assisting the community at large,” and recognizes their contributions to reentry initiatives and reducing recidivism.
North Carolina
Governor Josh Stein proclaimed May 5–11, 2025, as Correctional Officers and Correctional Employees Week in North Carolina. The proclamation acknowledges the approximately 7,300 correctional officers and employees responsible for the daily supervision and custody of more than 31,000 incarcerated individuals in the state’s prisons. It highlights their dedication to ensuring safety inside and outside correctional institutions and their role as critical changemakers in helping individuals become productive, skilled and engaged members of their communities.
Arkansas
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a proclamation declaring May 5–11, 2025, as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in Arkansas. The proclamation underscores the essential role correctional officers play in the day-to-day operations of correctional institutions, emphasizing that without them, achieving the foremost institutional goals of security and control would be impossible.
Alaska
In Alaska, Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a proclamation marking the week as a time to honor correctional officers who, he noted, “perform challenging jobs under demanding conditions.” The proclamation highlights their role in protecting both inmates and the public.
Georgia
In Georgia, Governor Brian P. Kemp declared May 4–10, 2025, as Georgia Correctional Officers Week. The proclamation expresses profound gratitude for the relentless service and sacrifices made by these dedicated men and women each day, acknowledging their commitment to maintaining safety and security within the state’s correctional facilities.
New York
The New York State Senate passed a resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4–10, 2025, as Correctional Officers and Employees Week in the State of New York. The resolution recognizes the vital role correctional personnel play in protecting the rights of the public and acknowledges the demanding circumstances and dangers they face in their daily work lives.
Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer recognized May 4–10, 2025, as Correctional Officers Appreciation Week. The proclamation acknowledges the essential role these officers play in the broader mission of public safety, highlighting their professionalism, dedication and the critical services they provide to the state.
Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis proclaimed May 4–10, 2025, as Correctional Employees Week in the state of Florida. The proclamation, shared by the Florida Department of Corrections, honors the unwavering dedication and professionalism of correctional officers who serve throughout the state’s prison system. It recognizes their critical role in protecting public safety and maintaining secure correctional environments.
New Hampshire
Governor Kelly Ayotte issued a proclamation declaring May 4–10, 2025, as Correctional Officers and Employees Week in New Hampshire. The proclamation highlights the service of the men and women of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, acknowledging their commitment to safety, rehabilitation and the humane supervision of incarcerated individuals.
Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee proclaimed May 4–10, 2025, as Correctional Professionals Week in Tennessee. The proclamation honors the dedication and professionalism of the state’s correctional officers and staff, acknowledging their vital role in maintaining safety and security within correctional facilities.
Why this recognition matters
Correctional officers often serve behind the walls and out of public view. Yet their work is essential to community safety, inmate rehabilitation and the daily functioning of the justice system. Proclamations like these not only highlight the sacrifices officers make but also affirm the value of their contributions.
As we observe National Correctional Officers Week, we remember the words of President Reagan: “It is appropriate that we honor the correctional officers of America who serve their communities with courage, dedication, and professionalism.”
