Essex County Sheriff's Department Earns 2 State Honors For Education, Training

The Essex County Sheriff's Department received two statewide awards from the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association, with honors going to its education program and to Captain Richard Ferrari for correctional training leadership.

The department's Education Program, operated in partnership with Northern Essex Community College, was named Program of the Year. Ferrari, executive officer of the Essex County Correctional Facility, was named Training Officer of the Year for his work strengthening supervisory training for correctional professionals across Massachusetts. According to the department, Essex County has now won the Program of the Year Award three times in the four years it has been presented.

Sheriff Kevin Coppinger said the awards "reflect the department's broader approach to rehabilitation, workforce development and public safety."

The department said its previous Program of the Year honors recognized the Hardscape Certification Program and the STAR, or Supporting Transitions and Re-Entry, Program.

"To have our programs recognized as the best in Massachusetts three out of the last four years is an incredible honor and a testament to the outstanding work being done by the men and women of this department," Coppinger said. "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."

Since partnering with Northern Essex Community College in 2019, the department said it has expanded education offerings for incarcerated individuals and participants in community-based reentry programs. In 2025, the partnership served more than 1,300 students across department facilities and STAR Centers.

The department said 17 students earned high school equivalency credentials in 2025, and another 16 earned theirs by July 2026. Students posted an 85% passing rate on HiSET examinations, above the Massachusetts average of 72.4%, while 48 students earned a combined 135 transferable college credits.

The program also produced 77 digital literacy certifications, including 18 advanced IC3 Master Certifications, and education advisors provided 751 hours of individualized support, helping coordinate 179 employment placements and 41 vocational training placements.

"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."

Ferrari, a 19-year correctional veteran, was recognized for redesigning the department's Front Line Supervision Training Program from three days to five days. During fiscal year 2026, the department said it trained 30 sergeants and four lieutenants from six sheriff's departments through the course, which Essex County said is the only dedicated Front Line Supervisor Training program among the Commonwealth's 14 sheriff's departments.