Common Ground Page 10 - Suffolk County Sheriff's Department

Law Enforcement
Opportunities
Page 3
A CGI Graduation First
Page 4
SCSD/MSA Trainings
Page 5
Tajikistani Tour Group
At HOC
Page 6
SCSD In Torch Run
Page 8
The Newsletter of the Suffolk County
Sheriff’s Department
Andrea J. Cabral, Sheriff
Sheriff Cabral Gives Testimony In Support Of Transgender Rights Bill
Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral recently submitted written testimony in support
of a bill designed to guarantee the human rights of transgender people in the
State of Massachusetts.
Written in support of H.502/S.764, An Act Relative to Transgender Equal
Rights, Sheriff Cabral’s letter was submitted for testimony during a hearing
held inside the Massachusetts State House’s Gardner Auditorium before the
Joint Committee on the Judiciary.
The letter was presented to the
Committee among more than 150
like–minded submissions from other
notable authors including U.S. Senator
John Kerry, U.S. Representative
Barney Frank, Boston Mayor
Thomas M. Menino and the Boston
City Council, and the bill has also
received support from many businesses
and a host of elected officials,
such as Massachusetts Governor Deval
Patrick, Cambridge City Council,
Northampton Mayor Clare Hig-
Sheriff Cabral gave testimony in support
of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill
gins, and Attorney General Martha
Coakley, who led the live testimony
before the Joint Committee on the
Judiciary.
Originally introduced in 2007 as “An Act Relative to Gender–Based Discrimination
and Hate Crimes” by Representative Carl Sciortino and Representative
Byron Rushing, the bill has been re–introduced and sent to Committee
on several occasions with its most recent filing by Senators Sonia
Chang–Diaz and Ben Downing along with Representatives Carl Sciortino
and Byron Rushing occurring in 2011 under the new title.
The bill – now known as H.502/S.764, An Act Relative to Transgender
(Continued on page 10)
Summer 2011

Page 2
Common Ground
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Graduates 25 New Officers
Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral administered the Correction Officer’s Oath to twenty–five new officers
during a graduation ceremony held recently at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel in South Boston.
Brought online to serve at the Suffolk County House of Correction, the former recruits completed an intensive
twelve–week training academy that required instruction in a host of practical and classroom subjects that included:
suicide prevention, ethics and professionalism, use of force continuum, firearm safety and handling, inmate
education and programming, contraband control, courtroom testimony, CORI and inmate rights and responsibilities,
fire safety, CPR, sexual harassment, cross–gender supervision and report writing.
Correction Officer Training Academy (COTA) Class 11–01 is the 17th to graduate under the leadership of Sheriff
Cabral, who addressed the members of the class as they sat among family, friends and their new colleagues.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the friends, the family, and the loved
ones that supported the graduates,” said Sheriff Cabral. “I can’t emphasize
enough to you how much your support means to them and the significant
role that your continued support of them will play in their success as
correction officers.”
“The business of corrections at the county level has changed significantly
over the nine years that I have been Sheriff,” she continued. “We
have learned to be more engaged and more focused on how we handle
the lives of those living in our charge, because how we do that job has a
direct impact on whether they will re–offend, and has a direct impact on
the public safety and the quality of life of people who live in the communities
we serve.”
Members of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s
Department COTA Class 11-01
During the training process, Deputy Superintendent and Supervisor of Training for the Department Yolanda
Smith helped to shape and mold COTA Class 11–01 into a successful unit by stressing teamwork, honesty and
dedication. Standing before the new officers during the ceremony, she provided the graduates with a challenge to
strive for still greater heights as members of the Department.
“As a team, you have done remarkable work and have impressed the training staff with your progress and
growth,” said Deputy Superintendent Smith. “Find your own passion and build on it because as you’ve heard
from many people, corrections is not a job – it’s a career that has so many opportunities.”
Members of the COTA Class 11–01 are: James Bacigalupo, Fred Bernabe, Patrick Casey, Neil Connaughton,
Dennis Cunniff, Stephen Hazelton, Christopher Jones, Colette Josey, David Kew, Mark Mastrullo, Michael Mc-
Manus, Brendan McNeil, Matthew Moran–Lanier, Donald Philippe, Patrick Rogers, Daniel Rossetti, Alena Sullivan,
David Vasquez, Jackson Vetiac, Christopher Warren, Matthew Wilkins, Elliott Williams, Paul Zaniboni, and
Joshua Ziegra. Officers receiving special recognition were: Patrick Casey – Academic Excellence Award, David
Kew – Top Gun Award, Michael McManus – Drill Instructors Award, Alena Sullivan – Unit Citation Award, and
Christopher Warren – Physical Training Award.
SCSD’s Common Ground Cable Show
Watch the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department public affairs program “Common Ground” on
Boston Neighborhood Network’s cable Channel 9 Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Fridays
from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Common Ground also airs on
Chelsea Community Cable TV Channels 3 & 16 on Mondays at 3 p.m., Winthrop Community Cable’s
Channel 3 on Mondays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Revere
Community Cable Channel 8 on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Summer 2011
Page 3

Page 4
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Welcomes Family Friends To CGI Graduation
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department recently held a special graduation for the House of Correction inmates
enrolled in the Department’s vocational educational program, the Common Ground Institute.
Created in 2005 by Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral, the Common Ground Institute (CGI) is a 10–week instructional
program that is designed to enhance and fortify employment skills that aid the
prison population of Suffolk County in making a successful transition back
into society post–incarceration. With the CGI program, the Suffolk County
Sheriff’s Department has taken a proactive approach to reducing recidivism,
in part, by placing an emphasis on vocational education, which includes the
teaching of skills in carpentry, custodial maintenance, painting and landscaping,
among others.
During the ceremony, much as all of CGI’s past 483 graduates have done,
participants approached the podium one–by–one after being called to collect
their certificates of completion along with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) card, which they also earned through the program.
Members of the Sheriff’s executive team and various Department staff were
also in attendance, adding to the air of familiarity, but the key element separating
this graduation from all previous ones was the presence of family and
friends of the graduates, who were permitted access to the ceremony for the
first time since the inception of the program.
“This is the 46th time we’re holding graduation for the Common Ground Institute and it’s the first time that
visitors are able to come in to be a part of it,” said John D’Amore, Director of Vocational Education for the Suffolk
County Sheriff’s Department. “We wanted people to come in and witness their loved ones accomplishing
something that’s very positive. It is important for them because it can be encouraging to see what can be achieved
by these men and we wanted the men in the program to also be encouraged by
the support that they’re getting today.”
Adding to that support was special guest speaker Jamal Wornum, a former
SCSD inmate and CGI graduate who was featured in a Department video
about achieving success post–incarceration. In his time following the end of
his sentence, Wornum gained employment from a local automotive service
company and steadily grew into a management position before establishing a
musical production company of his own.
His message to the day’s graduates was a simple one, born from the wisdom
Visitors were permitted to attend the
CGI graduation for the first time
Common Ground
Guest speaker Jamal Wornum gave
graduates an inspiring address
of his own experiences as one who has traveled the journey that they are
about to undertake.
“This is a good program,” said Wornum. “The fact that you’re graduating
from it is a big accomplishment. Now, when you come out into the world, you
have to go two–times as hard as you did in here. It’s hard, but don’t give up. Stay focused. You have to remember
that nothing else really matters except staying focused and achieving your goals. Congratulations on your first
step.”
Despite carrying a great sadness into the event after facing a death in his family only days earlier, Wornum provided
a sterling example of his own focus and commitment.
(Continued on page 10)

Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, MSA Team Up For Public Safety Trainings
Summer 2011
Page 5
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (SCSD) and the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association recently completed
a series of trainings developed to enhance the skills of employees in county corrections and law enforcement
throughout the State of Massachusetts.
Led by SCSD Deputy Superintendent and Training Supervisor Yolanda Smith, the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association
(MSA) hosted separate trainings in Plymouth and Holyoke during the MSA’s Training and Education
Committee Annual Conference, which touched on a wide variety of subjects designed specifically for the many
participants attending from the fourteen county sheriff’s departments and various local law enforcement entities.
Offering workshops that included such topics as: “Frequent Areas of Litigation in Corrections and Employee
Civil Liability,” midlevel supervision, “Classification 101: Inmate Security Risk and Needs Assessment” and
“Ground Survival Workshop”, members of the SCSD facilitated a number of practical trainings, which – together
with presentations by representatives from surrounding counties – provided a powerful resource for participants.
Presenting the workshop on Frequent Areas of Litigation in Corrections
and Employee Civil Liability for the Plymouth training, SCSD
Superintendent of the House of Correction and Special Sheriff Gerard
Horgan talked about the benefits of offering extended training to others
in the field of corrections.
“MSA training provides our staff, and those in other counties, an opportunity
to learn best practices from corrections professionals across
the state and gives us the opportunity to interact, brainstorm and network
with them, ” said Superintendent Horgan. “I think this is crucial
because it allows the Department to continue the professional development
of a staff that is already highly professional.”
Speaking about his particular role in the training, Superintendent
Horgan succinctly summed up the heart of his workshop in one word:
“Respect.”
SCSD employees Cindy Wallent and Paul
DeFazio presented during the training
“Our role in this Sheriff’s Department is to provide care and custody for all people, treating everyone with respect
and giving them the opportunity to better themselves while with us,” Horgan said. “We wanted to impress
upon people that everyone in our custody is a family member. The man in the 3–4 Unit is a father, a brother, a son
and the women up in the female units are mothers, daughters, and sisters. Treating everyone with respect, you get
it back. But, because we do work in a litigious industry, certain areas of corrections tend to be more fertile soil for
potential suits and we want people to be aware.”
Other SCSD presenters for the MSA trainings were Assistant Deputy Superintendent Paul DeFazio, Lieutenant
Thomas Donahue and Sergeant Jose Mojica, and Assistant Director of Custody Assessment Cindy Wallent.
As a member of the MSA’s Education and Training Committee and Chair of the Training Conferences, Deputy
Superintendent Smith is tasked with knitting together workshops that are pertinent to the attending participants
and the appropriate professionals who will be conducting them. During her time in this capacity, Deputy Superintendent
Smith has worked to ensure the incremental growth that the trainings have experienced in recent years.
“The planning stages of the conferences are always hectic,” said Smith. “We have to think about quality, relevant
topics and the ability to stretch funding. Luckily, we’ve had great volunteers who have helped out by donating
their time as presenters the past few years, and the conferences keep getting better and better.”
“I am motivated to chair the conferences because of the networking and the wonderful feeling of satisfaction
when the conferences are over,” Smith continued. “We are seeing attendees participate from Parole, Probation,
and local police departments these days. Not only do we learn from the presenters, but we learn from each other,
which is so important as we all strive to succeed in public safety.”

Page 6
Common Ground
Sheriff Cabral, Department Welcome Tajikistani Delegation For Tour
A group of law enforcement professionals from the Country of Tajikistan recently visited the Suffolk County
Sheriff’s Department for a meeting with Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral and a tour of the House of Correction (HOC).
Arranged by The Emergence Group, an organization that “designs and
implements world class Criminal Justice Reform and Democratic Policing
programs around the world,” the tour was comprised of members of
Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, representatives from The Gharm
Development Center – a women’s programming initiative – and several
Tajikistani school instructors who visited the HOC to observe the Education
Division and learn about techniques geared towards fighting recidivism.
Upon arrival, the group sat with Sheriff Cabral for an informal conversation
exploring some of the commonalities and differences between
the American and Tajikistani legal justice and law enforcement systems.
During the exchange, members of the group inquired about a multitude of
The Tajikistani delegation toured the
Department’s Education Division
nity to acquire skills in carpentry, custodial maintenance, painting and
landscaping and obtain certification by the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA).
At the tour’s completion, members of the group gathered for pictures
with Sheriff Cabral and to reflect upon this historic occasion.
“We are very glad to have had the opportunity to come and meet
with Sheriff Cabral and learn about the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department,”
said Mehrinisso Pirmatova, Program Manager for the Bureau
of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
of the U.S. Embassy and translator for the group. “We are especially
impressed with all of the programs that you have for rehabilitation and
the [health] care that you are able to offer.”
Tajikistan, a country that sits adjacent to Pakistan and borders China,
Sheriff Cabral visited with members
of the Tajikistani tour group
topics, including the structure of the American court system, juvenile
detention, average age of inmates, inmate programming, and more.
Following their meeting with Sheriff Cabral, HOC Superintendent
and Special Sheriff Gerard Horgan led the group on a tour of the facility,
making stops in the Ricky Dever Medical Unit, a male and female
housing unit, respectively, and the Education Division where he spoke
about the extensive programming that is made available to the inmates
and detainees in the care and custody of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s
Department. The group also spoke with Director of Vocational Education
John D’Amore about the Common Ground Institute, a vocational
program instituted by Sheriff Cabral that takes a proactive approach
to reducing recidivism by
giving inmates the opportu-
Sheriff Cabral (back ctr.) with SCSD staff
members and the Tajikistani delegation
Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, has a current population of approximately 7 million residents. Formerly
a member of the Soviet republic, Tajikistan has faced severe economic hardship since gaining its independence
from the Soviet Union in 1991 and following an intense five–year civil war, which ended in 1997.

Summer 2011
Page 7

Page 8
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Continues Support Of Special Olympics With “Torch Run”
Recently, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department took part in what has become a yearly tradition of support
for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts (SOMA) during their annual Summer Games.
Participating in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, members of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s
Department (SCSD) helped to usher the Flame of Hope along Commonwealth Avenue and into Boston College’s
Alumnae Stadium where it was used to light the ceremonial cauldron signifying the beginning of the SOMA Summer
Games.
Founded in 1981, when a Wichita, Kansas Police Chief named Richard LaMunyon sought to address an urgent
fundraising need for and increase awareness of Special Olympics, the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is
“an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of local
Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and National Summer or Winter Games. Every two
years, law enforcement officers from around the world gather to carry the Flame of Hope in a Law Enforcement
Torch Run Final Leg in honor of the Special Olympics World Summer or World Winter Games.”
Taking part in the Torch Run for the first time, SCSD Training Academy Instructor and Deputy Julio Pena
brought along a class of new recruits to run with and help support the Special Olympics, an organization that
instantly took residence within a special place in his heart.
“The LETR was amazing,” said Deputy Pena. “It was a privilege to take
part in something so special, and representing the Department brought
true meaning to public service. The 3.5 mile run to the stadium is nothing
compared to what a lot of the athletes of the Special Olympics and their
families have endured and yet they treated us as if we were champions.
In fact, the true champions, leaders and motivators are the athletes of the
Special Olympics themselves.”
Offering praise for some of the other participants who helped to make
the day an unqualified success was Steve Huftalen, Director of Special
Events for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
“Once again, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department showed its tremendous
support of Special Olympics Massachusetts at the Opening Ceremonies
for the 2011 Summer Games,” said Huftalen. “The SCSD Honor
Guard played a major role in the traditional Parade of Athletes by setting the stage for their entrance. In addition,
the Sheriff’s Department also had its training officer class help escort the Flame of Hope down Commonwealth
Avenue and into Opening Ceremonies to declare the games open. The dedication and support from everyone at the
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department is something that the 2,000 Athletes at Summer Games rely on, appreciate
and look forward to every year.”
According to Deputy Pena, if it is within his power to do so, he’ll be there to answer the call once again.
“The show of appreciation, the smiles, the high fives and ‘thank you’s’ made me feel as if I could run 100 miles,”
said Pena. “I plan on participating in the LETR for many years to come. Personally, it’s gratifying to participate
in such a worthy cause, and professionally an honor to continue representing the Department.”
Offering competitions and training in 26 core sports, the Special Olympics of Massachusetts’ mission is to provide
year–round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of well–coached Olympic–type sports for
individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Massachusetts also provides athletes with continuing
opportunities to develop physical fitness, prepare for entry into school and community programs, express courage,
experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics
Athletes, and the community. The statewide program supports 11,639 athletes and Unified Partners who are
assisted by 1,642 coaches and 12,343 volunteers. For more information visit: www.SpecialOlympicsMA.org.
Common Ground
Deputy Julio Pena (right foreground)
ran with SCSD officers in training

Summer 2011
Page 9

Page 10
(Transgender Rights Bill, Continued from page 1)
Equal Rights – will, as stated by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, “add Massachusetts to 13
other states, Washington D.C., and 132 counties and cities, including Boston, Cambridge, Northampton, and Amherst,
that protect transgender people. This bill will make the protection of transgender people explicit, uniform,
and visible to the general public. It will include gender identity and expression in the state’s non–discrimination
statute and will amend existing hate crime laws to explicitly protect people targeted for violence and harassment.”
In her letter of support, Sheriff Cabral definitively addressed the need for the bill’s passage.
“I write to you in full support of H.502/S.764, An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights,” Sheriff Cabral
stated. “Passage of this bill will create an atmosphere of tolerance and ensure equal treatment under law for everyone
in the Commonwealth.”
“By clarifying the language in Massachusetts’ non–discrimination laws to include gender–expression and identity,
H.502/S.764 creates a comprehensive reform of existing statutes to ensure that transgendered individuals
receive equal protection under the law,” continued Sheriff Cabral. “While current legislation precludes discrimination
based upon sexual orientation, such language is insufficient to address discrimination based upon transgender
status, as the relevant issue is sexual identity, rather than orientation. Moreover, this bill will build upon
the clarifications set forth by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in making the established
MCAD protections explicit, uniform, and visible to the general public.”
For more information about H.502/S.764, An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights, visit the Massachusetts
Transgender Political Coalition at: www.masstpc.org.
(CGI Visitors, Continued from page 4)
“I had to honor my commitment,” Wornum explained. “I had to come back, I gave my word. I felt like it was
important for me to be here and try to give back some of what I got from the program.”
Amid the powerful applause from graduates, future participants, staff and attendees it appeared that the message
was received and taken to heart.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the coordinators of education and vocational programming,” said one
graduate who addressed the crowd. “You’ve given us the opportunity to learn something new and handed us the
tools that can lead toward a purposeful, rewarding and richer life. Before today, the only thing my mother ever
saw me complete was a prison sentence. To my fellow graduates, no matter where you are, you can make a personal
vow to change. It’s never too late for a change.”
To learn more about the Common Ground Institute or about the vast array of programs that the Suffolk County
Sheriff’s Department makes available to inmates and detainees, visit: www.scsdma.org.
Lt. Dan Ryan, EAP Coordinator,
Phone: 617-328-0096
Pager: 617-579-1400
Common Ground
SCSD Employee Assistance Program
The peer support team is comprised of men and women, officers and civilians
who volunteer to help their fellow employees in need of assistance.
All calls are completely confidential.
Peer Support On Call:
HOC: 617-486-2757
Jail: 617-486-2275

Summer 2011
Page 11

Page 12
The Common Ground Newsletter is available monthly for Department employees by the Office of Communications
and External Affairs at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. The newsletter is available to staff
and external audiences and may be viewed at www.scsdma.org. It is printed as part of an inmate rehabilitation
program at the South Bay House of Correction.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department is committed to becoming the national model for providing effective
offender supervision and re-entry services that ensure public safety. The Department serves the cities of Boston,
Chelsea, and Revere, and the town of Winthrop. Employee suggestions are always welcome.
Common Ground
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Featured On MSNBC’s
Documentary Series “Lockup: Extended Stay”
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department was recently featured on the MSNBC network’s “Lockup: Extended
Stay” documentary series.
First introduced during the summer of 2005, Lockup is described by MSNBC as “a documentary series that
gives a glimpse into life behind America’s maximum–security prison walls and exposes conditions at some of the
most notorious correctional facilities in the country.”
The Lockup franchise also features several spin–off series including
the original Lockup, Lockup: Raw, Lockup: World Tour, and Life
After Lockup.
As participants in Lockup: Extended Stay, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s
Department was profiled each week over the course of six, one–
hour episodes which depicted days in the lives of some of the inmates,
detainees and members of the Sheriff’s Department staff.
According to Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral, it was this rare opportunity
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department was
recently featured on “Lockup: Extended stay”
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department
Office of Communications & External Affairs
200 Nashua Street
Boston, MA 02114
to provide a window into the world of corrections and display the excellence
of the custody and non–custody staff at the Suffolk County
House of Correction, the Nashua Street Jail and the Chelsea Officer
Training Academy that was the impetus for participation in the series.
“It is not often that we have the chance to showcase the excellent work that is being done each and every day
by officers and staff here at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department,” said Sheriff Cabral. “We wanted to take
this rare opportunity to show the professionalism and dedication of the men and women who work in this Department.”
For more information about the “Lockup” series and current schedule, visit: www.msnbc.msn.com.
Contact Us:
If you have any story ideas, please
contact Peter Van Delft (x6682).
Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral
Office of Communications and
External Affairs
Steve Tompkins, Director
Peter Van Delft, Editor
Voice: 617-635-1100
Fax: 617-961-6750
www.scsdma.org
Summer 2011