- Massachusetts Probation Service
Media Contact for Massachusetts Probation Service (MPS) hosted its annual Veterans Breakfast and presentation of the Margaret Elizabeth Oglesby Award.
Coria Holland, Communications Director
Pictured above: Mr. Frank Oglesby, Margaret Oglesby's husband, presents Worcester District Probation Officer Paul Prentiss the Margaret Elizabeth Oglesby Award as Commissioner of Probation Edward Dolan looks on.
MPS presented the second annual Margaret Elizabeth Oglesby Award to Worcester District Court Probation Officer and veteran liaison Paul Prentiss at MPS’ annual Veterans Breakfast this week.
This award, based on the nomination of colleagues, is presented to an MPS employee and military veteran with distinguished service in both roles. The award was established in honor of Mrs. Oglesby, the former Hampshire Superior Chief Probation Officer, military leader, and hero.
“The Margaret E. Oglesby Award in addition to honoring Margaret’s legacy, allows the Probation Service to celebrate an MPS colleague and Veteran who shares that legacy - a sense of service, a dedication to duty and a commitment to leadership,” said Probation Commissioner Edward J. Dolan.
The breakfast and ceremony were held at the Massachusetts Training and Operations Center (MTOC) in Clinton the day before Veterans Day. The ceremony was a hybrid event with in-person attendance and was broadcasted via Zoom. Brockton District Court Probation Officer Linda Santos opened the ceremony with a rendition of “God Bless America.” Dulce Romilus, a Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High Student, sang the National Anthem via Zoom. The event—which also included a Color Guard—featured remarks by Commissioner Edward Dolan; Frank Oglesby, Mrs. Oglesby’s husband; Trial Court Director of Veteran Services Jason Thomas, and award recipient Mr. Prentiss.
Mr. Oglesby, who presented the award to Mr. Prentiss, told the audience, “Margaret was put on this earth to help people and the court put her in the great position to do just that....Margaret’s leadership, selfless service and commitment to the mission is what set her apart from most. She never cheated or comprised her integrity and gave her very best efforts…In closing, it is important to share that our kids are doing well….Thank you for honoring Margaret with an award in her name. She would be pleased.”
Mr. Prentiss, an eight-year Probation Officer and active member of MPS’ Veterans Committee, told the audience: “I have a great family and a lot of people who cared about me in tough times and good times.” He is credited with “consistently referring the highest number of veterans annually to the Veterans Administration." Mr. Thomas of Veterans Services also recognized Mr. Prentiss for his idea to post signage identifying veterans liaisons at each courthouse across the state.
He was described this way by his colleague Probation Officer Michael Landgren, “Paul invests his heart and soul into providing the best services to his clients.”
PO Prentiss plans and delivers trainings on veterans for Probation employees. His military service includes serving eight years in the Army Reserves (2001-2009). He was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as an Infantry Leader. Mr. Prentiss was also deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and New Orleans, Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. He is also the recipient of the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Mr. Prentiss earned a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University in 1992 and a master's degree in Psychology from Framingham State University in 2013.
“Paul is credible, honest and hardworking and always ready to help clients, colleagues, and the court. He leads by example and goes above and beyond the call of duty. He builds a fantastic rapport with his probationers and knows his cases inside and out,” wrote his colleagues when nominating him for the award.
Mrs. Oglesby, former Hampshire Superior Court Chief Probation Officer, passed away on August 28, 2020 after a long illness. She served in the Army National Guard for 28 years retiring as a Major in 2010.
Margaret Oglesby was awarded a Bronze Star medal for her service in Afghanistan where she was deployed for nine months during “Operation Enduring Freedom.” She served as a US Army Captain and was responsible for commanding 154 soldiers as the Commander of the 747th Military Police Company with around the clock operations.
She was recognized by the Springfield City Council and named “Outstanding Massachusetts National Guard Mentor for 2003.”
Mrs. Oglesby retired from the Massachusetts Probation Service in 2018 after serving as the Chief Probation Officer at Hampshire Superior Court from August 2013 until October 2018. She was an Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Springfield District Court from March 1999 through August 2013. Mrs. Oglesby first joined MPS in 1989 as a Probation Officer at Norfolk Probate & Family Court.