(BOP) - On June 24, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) held its annual awards ceremony to recognize DOJ employees and members of the general public who have shown admirable dedication to improving their communities. Laura Martin and Patricia Torchia received the Attorney General's Citizen Volunteer Service Award for their volunteer service providing inmates with reentry life skills at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota.
The Attorney General's Citizen Volunteer Service Award is awarded to members of the public for outstanding volunteer contributions towards the Department's mission. Ms. Martin and Ms. Torchia volunteer six hours a day, Monday through Friday, in Education, Religious Services and Reentry Affairs to help prepare inmates to reenter the community with additional education and life skills. Both former teachers, they serve as tutors in the Education Department Literacy Program and as mentors for the Religious Services Threshold Program. Ms. Martin and Ms. Torchia's genuine desire to help inmates in making meaningful life changes is reflected in their actions and words and exemplifies how volunteers assist the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice in serving the public interest.