July 18-24 is Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week, and to celebrate we will be highlighting exceptional parole agents or offices in the DOC. Check back each day for a new feature celebrating the excellent parole staff in Pennsylvania.
Throughout the past year, Parole Agent Melissa Nelson has routinely gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist people in need. She solicited donations for care packages — including a washcloth, toothpaste, toothbrush, bar of soap and a snack — and then assembled the packages. She asks her fellow parole agents to keep the packages handy and give them to anyone in need.
Agent Nelson worked hard to keep morale in the office high during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although social distancing requirements prevented the office from hosting customary gatherings to mark special occasions, she organized grab-and-go luncheons and collected money and gifts for coworkers who were getting married, having a baby, or celebrating another major milestone.
During the holiday season, she organized a 12 Days of Christmas celebration. Starting in mid-December, the on-duty supervisor brought in a special treat for people working in the office that day. The goodies included doughnuts, coffee, bagels, hot chocolate, muffins, juice, cookies, candy and decorations.
