Boston, MA (November 12, 2026) — An innovative, educational partnership between the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and Northern Essex Community College continues to show meaningful results in strengthening public safety and creating healthier communities. Now, this work is being recognized with the Program of the Year award from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association.
Massachusetts Sheriffs Association (MSA) Vice President Nick Cocchi, shown left, presents the 2026 Program of the Year Award to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department (ECSD) and Northern Essex Community College (NECC) for its educational partnership in corrections. Accepting the award from Sheriff Cocchi were NECC Director of Correctional Education Dr. Will Haden, ECSD Assistant Superintendent/Programs Jessica Oljey, NECC President Dr. Lane Glenn, and Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger.
The award recognizes the program’s comprehensive approach to correctional education, which provides incarcerated individuals with opportunities to earn high school equivalency credentials, college credits, workforce certifications, and support for successful reentry.
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. In 2025 alone, the program served more than 1,300 students across Essex County Sheriff’s Department facilities.
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.
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.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce recidivism,” Essex County Sheriff Kevin 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 partnership 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.”
NECC advisors provided 751 hours of individualized student support and developed more than 100 transition plans. In collaboration with correctional staff and community partners, the program supported 179 employment placements and 41 vocational training placements.
NECC-ECSD educational program faculty and staff
“The success of our program starts on the ground with our teachers, advisors, and support staff. Their expertise, dedication, and belief in our students have created a culture and produced outcomes that we are all proud of. This work is hard, yet our team shows up day after day, committed to our students, knowing that their successful reentry to our communities benefits us all,” said Will Haden, NECC Director of Education.
At the awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House, Essex County Sheriff’s Department Captain Richard Ferrari was also honored as Training Officer of the Year for his leadership in strengthening supervisory training for correctional professionals across Massachusetts. 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.
