Ronald Reagan

“ In a time of rapidly growing inmate populations, the demands upon correctional officers are many. As the backbone of our correctional systems, they work hard to maintain the high professional standards necessary to ensure the safe and orderly running of our Nation's prisons and jails. ”

“ Without these officers performing demanding and often dangerous assignments, it would be impossible to carry out the primary law enforcement mission of protecting the law-abiding citizens of this country. ”

“ Correctional officers occupy a vital role in our Nation's criminal justice systems. They are called upon to ensure the custody, safety, and well-being of the over 680,000 inmates in prisons and jails. ”