Department recognized for excellence in correctional education and leadership training; earns second Program of the Year Award in four years
MIDDLETON, Mass. — The Essex County Sheriff’s Department has earned two prestigious statewide honors from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association (MSA), recognizing the department’s commitment to innovative rehabilitation programs and excellence in correctional training.
The department’s Education Program, operated in partnership with Northern Essex Community College (NECC), was named Program of the Year, while Captain Richard Ferrari was honored as Training Officer of the Year for his leadership in strengthening supervisory training for correctional professionals across Massachusetts.
The awards continue a remarkable run of recognition for the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Of the four years the MSA has presented its Program of the Year Award, Essex County has won twice. Previous honors recognized the STAR (Supporting Transitions and Re-Entry) Program, which helps justice-involved individuals overcome barriers to employment, education, treatment and successful reintegration into their communities.
“To have our programs recognized as the best in Massachusetts is an incredible honor and a testament to the outstanding work being done by the men and women of this department,” said Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger. “These awards reflect our commitment to doing more than simply incarcerating individuals. We want to give people the education, skills and support they need to turn their lives around, while also making sure our employees have the best training possible to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Coppinger said the awards reflect the department’s broader mission of improving public safety through effective rehabilitation, strong partnerships and a highly trained workforce.
The department has achieved the lowest one-year recidivism rate for reincarceration among Massachusetts counties at 13.5%, a success Coppinger attributes in large part to its comprehensive approach to education, treatment, workforce development and reentry services.
“Whether we are helping someone earn their high school diploma, preparing them for a career, or training our employees to become better leaders, it all comes back to the same goal: safer facilities and safer communities,” Coppinger said.
Education Program Recognized for Transforming Lives
Since partnering with Northern Essex Community College in 2019, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department has significantly expanded educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals and participants in its community-based reentry programs.
Today, students can pursue high school equivalency credentials, earn transferable college credits, obtain industry-recognized certifications and receive individualized assistance preparing for employment and continued education after incarceration.
In 2025 alone, the partnership served more than 1,300 students across the department’s facilities and STAR Centers.
Among the program’s accomplishments:
- Seventeen students earned their high school equivalency credentials in 2025, with another 16 earning theirs by July 2026.
- Students achieved an 85% passing rate on HiSET examinations, exceeding the Massachusetts average of 72.4%.
- Forty-eight students earned a combined 135 transferable college credits.
- Students earned 77 digital literacy certifications, including 18 advanced IC3 Master Certifications.
- Education advisors provided 751 hours of individualized support and helped coordinate 179 employment placements and 41 vocational training placements.
The partnership has also introduced innovative educational opportunities, including a nationally certified peer tutoring program, access to college-level research resources, and Handwritten, a literary journal showcasing students’ writing and academic achievements.
The program is led by NECC Director of Education Dr. Will Haden, working closely with Sheriff’s Department staff to ensure educational opportunities are accessible and connected to successful reentry.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce recidivism,” Coppinger said. “The vast majority of people who come into our custody will eventually return to our communities. The question is whether they return with the same challenges they faced before, or whether we have helped prepare them for a better future. Thanks to our tremendous partnership with Northern Essex Community College, more people are leaving with an education, marketable skills and a real opportunity to succeed.”
“Education provides an important pathway to opportunity, and this collaboration demonstrates what can happen when we bring college access and support to students wherever they are,” said NECC President Lane Glenn. “We are proud of the accomplishments of students in these programs and grateful to Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger for his leadership and vision in this ongoing partnership.”
Captain Richard Ferrari Named Training Officer of the Year
Captain Richard Ferrari, a 19-year correctional veteran and Executive Officer of the Essex County Correctional Facility, was recognized for his work redesigning and strengthening the department’s Front Line Supervision Training Program.
Ferrari was instrumental in expanding the program from three days to five days, developing a more comprehensive curriculum focused on the real-world challenges faced by correctional supervisors.
The Essex County Sheriff’s Department is the only one of the Commonwealth’s 14 sheriff’s departments to operate a dedicated Front Line Supervisor Training course.
During fiscal year 2026, the department conducted two classes, training 30 sergeants and four lieutenants from six sheriff’s departments: Essex, Worcester, Dukes, Suffolk, Barnstable and Bristol counties.
Ferrari’s expanded curriculum emphasizes leadership, communication, decision-making, accountability, de-escalation and employee counseling.
He also developed a full day of realistic, scenario-based training that challenges supervisors to respond to situations they may encounter on the job. Ferrari coordinates a team of 16 correctional professionals to conduct and evaluate the exercises, providing participants with individualized feedback to help strengthen their leadership and decision-making skills.
His instruction has earned high praise from participants, who describe his teaching style as knowledgeable, practical and grounded in real correctional experience.
“Captain Ferrari understands that strong leadership is essential to running a safe, professional correctional facility,” Coppinger said. “He has taken nearly two decades of experience and used that knowledge to develop better supervisors, not just here in Essex County, but throughout Massachusetts. His dedication, professionalism and commitment to preparing the next generation of correctional leaders make him incredibly deserving of this recognition.”
