We all have a general idea of the work that sheriffs do to incarcerate prisoners and run our correctional facilities. However, many of us are less familiar with the programs sheriffs have developed to prevent costly recidivism, deal with substance abuse and mental illness, work on the problems specific to female prisoners, and prevent crimes from occurring in the first place. I recently had Frank Cousins, Sheriff of Essex County, as my guest on my Cable TV show “The Beacon,” and took this opportunity to explore these issues which have an impact on public safety and taxpayers alike. We have more than 2 million prisoners incarcerated in the United States, and it is imperative to work as effectively as possible to be sure our correctional facilities are well run.

Sheriff Cousins manages various facilities throughout Essex County: the jail in Middleton, the Lawrence alternative pre-release facility, the Women in Transition facility in Salisbury, two civil process offices, and three offices of community corrections to work with law enforcement in order to reduce crime and keep people out of jail. On an average day he has 1900 to 2000 people in his system, and for those in jail the expenses are a huge $28,000 per person per year, though less than the $50,000 per year at state prisons. Overall he manages a $50 million budget with 600 employees, 440 of whom are corrections officers.

Those incarcerated under the sheriff’s purview have been convicted in District Court of criminal violations with sentences of 2 ½ years or less or are being held on pre-trial detention. Before long they will return to the community, and Sheriff Cousins manages to provide rehabilitation services geared for keeping the recidivism rate low by redirecting the lives of inmates during their short time, averaging six to nine months, in incarceration. For each prisoner there is a medical screening, important since 90% have substance abuse problems with drugs or alcohol. After the medical screening are studies of court documents and criminal history, meetings to prepare an individual plan, and programs to deal with drug abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues. Those who make progress in the highly structured environment of the jail then move to the Lawrence farm, where they perform such community services as cleaning highways, cutting weeds, maintaining cemeteries, and painting walls. They then move to GPS electronic monitoring or a sober half-way house, with the goal that upon release each prisoner will be sober and have a job. The sheriff’s office administers 1,000 drug tests a week and works closely with probation officers to be sure all those released are meeting their obligations.

Prevention programs, such as educational efforts through the schools and in the Triad Program, help keep us safe and save us money as taxpayers. So, too, do efficiently run corrections systems. Sheriff Cousins was particularly proud of the accreditation he has received from the American Correctional Association. Staying within budget and implementing the best re-entry strategies are the keys to success. For example, women prisoners are growing faster in number than men and usually recidivate more frequently, but through the Salisbury Women Intervention Program upon release more than 80% are not brought back into incarceration, a very high rate of success. In addition, issues special to women are addressed, such as the relationships woman prisoners have with their children. This model program will be replicated in other counties to the advantage of our entire state.

Sheriff Cousins also spoke concerning other issues, such as dealing firmly with issues of prisoner abuse, and left us with the understanding that efficient, professionally run correctional facilities are a benefit to Massachusetts taxpayers and to the security of society at large.