Durham County Announces New Justice Services Director
DURHAM, N.C. – Roshanna Parker has been selected as director of the Durham County Justice Services Department, formerly the Criminal Justice Resource Center. She officially began her role as director of the newly named department on September 18, 2023. She has been the department’s interim director since May of this year.
“I look forward to working with and serving the citizens of Durham in this new role and am excited about the possibilities for new partnerships and collaboration,” said Parker. “It is not only an honor but a privilege to be chosen to lead the team of professionals at the Justice Services Department. I am confident that we will continue to grow as an agency while providing valuable services and resources to the Durham community.”
Parker joined Durham County Government in 2012 as assistant director of CJRC and served in this role until her recent promotion. She is known for her passion for justice-involved individuals and sought for her understanding of the justice system and unique needs of the Durham community.
“Ms. Parker’s promotion to Justice Services Director has been met with great excitement across the organization,” said Assistant County Manager for Community Safety Dwane Brinson. “She is uniquely suited for this role as her entire career reflects her immersion and influence in this subject area, and I look forward to the continual impact the Justice Services Department will make under her leadership.”
Parker has an extensive background in adult corrections. She has worked in various capacities with the North Carolina Department of Correction, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, and the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission. She is very involved with the Durham Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and the Durham Local Reentry Council.
Parker is originally from South Carolina, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. She earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Central University and currently serves as an adjunct professor -in the university’s Criminal Justice Department.
The Durham County Justice Services Department officially received its name change, effective July 1 of this year, to reflect better its role and commitment to providing support and services to the justice system and Durham community. The mission of the department is to promote public safety through support for the local criminal justice system and to supervise and rehabilitate justice-involved individuals through a wide array of supportive services so that they may achieve their full potential as contributing members of their community. Click here for more information about the department.