2nd Street Second Chances Receives Mass Sheriffs Association Award
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Second Street Second Chances has garnered statewide recognition for its efforts to prevent recidivism.
The Massachusetts Sheriffs Association honored it with the Program of the Year Award during its second annual law enforcement and corrections award ceremony on Tuesday.
"I'm so proud of Second Street Second Chances for winning the Program of the Year award, which they truly deserve," Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler said.
"Under the guidance of Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell, 2nd Street has become a trusted and respected resource for formerly incarcerated persons in Berkshire County. 2nd Street's dedication and genuine care have paved the way for their clients to reenter their communities with dignity and purpose."
Personnel from across the commonwealth gathered at the State House in Boston to applaud their colleagues. There were 10 categories of awards for individuals, departments, and programs.
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, president of the MSA, led the ceremony which was live-streamed on social media.
"Our correctional and law enforcement professionals are the unsung heroes of our justice system. Day in and day out, they commit themselves to challenging a vital mission and that mission is to make a difference, both in our communities and in the lives of the justice-involved individuals entrusted in our care," Cocchi said.
"These individuals who have faced their share of difficulties deserve our respect, compassion, and the opportunity for a successful re-entrance. It is the dedication and tireless efforts of our sheriff's offices, their professionalism, that make this a reality. These devoted professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring that the individuals in our care have the chance to rebuild their lives to return home better, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters."
Launched in 2022, "2nd Street" has assisted more than 1,000 individuals with medical and mental health, housing, job training, legal services, and more. In the last two years, data has shown an 11 percent recidivism rate for those participating in the program, compared to an overall rate of 36 percent for Berkshire County.
Cornwell said the program has become a fixture in the community and the award is "truly humbling."
The program recently celebrated a larger and revitalized space at the former Berkshire County jail building. This was said to reflect the need for program services.
The Berkshire County Sheriff's Office provides the space for free, including utilities and maintenance. At the beginning of 2025, the office will take on the majority of 2nd Street's operational expenses.
In 2022, the program was awarded $240,000 in funding from the Baker-Polito administration's Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program. Soon after, the city provided $700,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to be spent over three years.
Board President Mark Gold, who attended the ceremony, previously explained that less than three years ago, a group gathered in the former jail to discuss how they could improve opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
It included six founding partner organizations, representatives of the Sheriff's Office, community members, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Founding partner organizations are: Berkshire Community College, Upside 413, Berkshire Health Systems, the Berkshire Innovation Center, Community Legal Aid, and the Berkshire Museum.
When Bowler took office 14 years ago, he found it "very evident" that community navigators were needed to continue offering services provided in jail when a person has completed their sentence.
Cocchi said the honorees are "unsung champions of second chances."
"Through their work, they provide essential services, guidance, and support, helping the justice-involved gain a new skill in perspective, giving them that small word, that four-letter word but is so powerful of hope. A hope of a better tomorrow, a hope that the community in which they return to greets them with open arms and opportunity. This is not an easy task," he said.
"It requires patience and empathy and a genuine belief in the capacity for change. Correctional professionals have a fundamental responsibility at every level for maintaining order, security within the correctional system in our facilities but their influence extends far beyond the walls of any jail. By creating an environment that fosters care, accountability, reintegration, they reduce the likelihood of repeat offenses and offenders and ultimately make our community safer and families stronger."
He thanked the 14 sheriffs of the association for being the driving force behind the transformation and revitalization of lives.
"Your service, your leadership, your relentless commitment to creating change, are the foundations upon which we build stronger, safer, and more compassionate communities."
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