In July 2011, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Probation Executives (NAPE), meeting in Chicago, Illinois, voted to proceed with an affiliation agreement with the Probation Officers Academy (CSKS) of Poland. This cooperative agreement was proposed by CSKS Director Piotr Burczyk, with whom NAPE has had a long and productive relationship for a number of years. NAPE is a professional organization representing the chief executive officers of local, county, and state probation agencies in the United States.  Founded in 1981, NAPE is dedicated to enhancing the professionalism and effectiveness in the field of probation by creating a national network for probation executives, bringing about positive change in the field, and making available a pool of experts in probation management, program development, training, and research. In more recent years, NAPE has been involved in international exchanges, as evidenced by several of its members attending a number of international conferences.

NAPE and CSKS share several common objectives. Both organizations desire to improve the field of probation through the delivery of meaningful training. In addition, both organizations see the value of international exchanges. And both NAPE and CSKS see the value of employing developing technology in exchanging information.  Finally, both organizations realize the importance of developing the future leaders of probation.

In the furtherance of these common objectives, the agreement of understanding between NAPE and CSKS calls for these two organizations to: 1) create a flow of information about working methods and professional trainings; 2) promote, support, and share experiences of interesting initiatives related to the probation profession; and 3) jointly strive to know one another better on the basis of friendship and mutual cooperation.

Just like the United States, Poland has a rich history in the field of community corrections. NAPE looks forward to a productive relationship with CSKS to further advance the field of probation.

Dan Richard Beto

Chair International Committee NAPE