Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week

As we recognize Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervisor Week, the ODRC would like to showcase a few of our very own being nominated for Parole Officer of the Year.

This year’s Parole Officer of the Year will be announced during the Parole and Community Services Banquet on Wednesday July 20th.

Jim Corrin — Akron Region Parole Officer of the Year

During the past year Jim has had many accomplishments. He spent the year in the role of Task Force officer assigned to the US Marshal Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force and has been a part of this task force for the past 11 years. In this capacity he not only assisted with numerous violent fugitive arrests but also managed to provide tactical support to officers throughout the region during field arrests. In addition to his task force work, Jim has assisted management in the region on many fronts. He has been a great asset to the region’s training advisory council (ARTAC).

Jim Corrin has also served as a union delegate for the past 13 years. In this capacity he has been called upon within the region and has been sought out by bargaining unit members throughout the state for assistance. His common sense approach to resolving issues between management and the bargaining unit have helped foster a good working relationship between the union and management within the region.

Marla Roth — Cincinnati Region Parole Officer of the Year

Marla is being honored as the Parole Officer of the Year for being a conscientious employee who not only strives to perform her duties in an exceptional manner, but also goes above and beyond the requirements of her normal job duties to assist her co-workers and Supervisor.

Marla began her career with the APA in 2004 in Butler County as a PSI writer. In 2011, she transferred to the Cincinnati APA office as a Field Officer. She has been selected as the Parole Officer of the Month 5 times by her co-workers.

Marla has a Bachelor’s Degree from Miami University in Sociology/Criminology, she was involved with the PSI template project, TAC Committee member, RCIC coordinator for the Cincinnati Office, Instructional Skills Trainer & completed PACE in 2015 & 2016.

She is married with 2 children and volunteers with the Butler County Animal Shelter, Feed the Hungry and Christmas Exchange for the Homeless.

The Cincinnati Region is happy to nominate Marla as the Parole Officer of the Year.

Annessa Slater — Cleveland Region Parole Officer of the Year

Annessa is being recommended for many reasons. She is currently assigned to Unit 3, however she has offered her time, experience, and knowledge in training new officers in other units. She has displayed patience with the new officers and has exhibited good leadership qualities to include decision making, professionalism, and being ambitious.

She is a good representative of the APA and is involved in the PACE program, institutional site visits, volunteering her time on the ERC committee, and is now involved with the internship program. It should be noted that PO Slater is a military veteran. She goes above and beyond in her work and deserved to be recognized for her continual outstanding job performance.

Jeff Knight — Columbus Region Parole Officer of the Year

Jeff is being honored as the Parole Officer of the Year nominee for being a conscientious employee who not only strives to perform his duties in an exceptional manner, but also goes above and beyond the requirements of his normal job duties through commitment, attention to detail, and a strong desire to assist and motivate his coworkers.

Jeff has excelled at maintaining an excellent working relationship with his peers, management, local law enforcement agencies, and community partners. Jeff has played many intricate roles with APA, such as TWL as a Case Analyst, while also completing many of his own duties as a Parole Officer, participated with the SOFAST unit, served as a PACE Coordinator, who recognizes the many benefits of spirited teamwork and offers advice to other coworkers on how to meet their own personal goals and objectives.

Jason Perez — Dayton Region Parole Officer of the Year

Jason has been selected as Parole Officer of the Year for the Dayton APA Region. Jason is a PO in Montgomery Unit 3. This unit has been short staffed and without a Senior Officer for most of the year. Jason has emerged as a leader in the Dayton Office. He is a well-rounded Officer and team player who is willing to help all staff regardless of classification.

In the absence of a Senior Officer, Jason completed the Unit’s stats and has been instrumental in training the new Parole Officers in his unit and other units that also needed assistance. Jason is very patient and helps the new Officers get a better understanding of the expectations of a being a Parole Officer. Jason is passionate is sharing his knowledge to ensure his fellow officers remain safe at all times.

Jason handles a very active caseload in Dayton Region. He is also a member of the regions TAC Committee, a Firearms Instructor, Use of Force Instructor, Field Tactics Instructor and Transportation Arrest Search and Seizure Instructor. He is also a member of the SOFAST Team.

Dan VanVorhis — Lima Region Parole Officer of the Year

Dan Started with APA in 1994 and was assigned to Wood County. In 1994 he was awarded the Ohio Attorney General Award for recognition of a selfless act of Bravery in Law Enforcement. He has also received the Lima Region PO of the Year in 1996 and Employee of the Month on several occasions. He was assigned to the ODRC enforcement unit from 2009 to 2011 and the FBI Violent Crime Task Force from 2009 to present.

Dan routinely assists APA Officers with different investigations that has led to new convictions in cases involving possession of guns, drug trafficking, assaults, child pornography, and human trafficking. Further local law enforcement have grown accustom to calling Dan when they need help to identify a potential suspect in a crime, locating a suspect, or asking if Dan would assist with an interview of a suspect.

Alvin Thomas — Parole Board Parole Officer of the Year

Alvin began his career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in September of 1998 as a Correctional Officer at Mansfield Correctional Institution. He left ODRC in 2003 to work for the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, but returned to DRC in June 2004 as a Parole Officer. He has been a Parole Board Parole Officer since February 2013.

Alvin has been a wonderful addition to the Parole Board section. He is always more than willing to assist wherever he is needed and frequently travels to other institutions to assist when we are understaffed. Alvin is headquartered at Mansfield Correctional Institution where he is well liked and respected. He occasionally sits in on Operations and Unit Management meetings just so he can have a better understanding of how ManCI and unit management operates. His peers at ManCI report he has a great attitude and is always very helpful.

Thank you to all around the state who work diligently to make Ohio communities safer.

For more information, please visit the APPA online.