Sheriff Creates New Interfaith Council

RIVERHEAD, NY — Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon is making strides toward meeting the needs of inmates through faith.

On Tuesday, Toulon hosted 10 leaders from various religious organizations throughout Suffolk County that will be forming the new Sheriff’s Interfaith Council.

At the Yaphank event, members of the council talked about some of the issues the incarcerated population faces while inside county facilities. In addition, the group discussed the services each church can offer inmates upon release and how to aid local schools and youth in need; the group finished the day with a tour of the Yaphank Correctional Facility, Toulon said.

“We have assembled a diverse group of Suffolk County’s religious leaders to discuss what deficits exist in how we meet the needs of our incarcerated inmates and their families," Toulon said. "I believe that working together with the sheriff’s office, we can all enhance the services each organization provides. Our goal is to serve the needs of the children and families of those incarcerated in the most efficient way possible.”

The Sheriff’s Interfaith Council consists of: Deacon James McLaughlin, Diocese of Rockville Centre; Justin McMahon, St. Sylvester RC Church; Pastor Bert Crabbe, True North Community Church; Dr. Beresford Adams, First Baptist Church; Pastor Todd Bishop, Church Unleashed; Pastor Kara Bocchino, Axis Church; Pastor Gregory Wilk, Abundant Life Church of God; Pastor Jessica Baes, Real Life Church; Pastor Keith Indovino, Truth Community Church; Pastor Mike Jankowski, The Harbor Church; Rabbi Aaron Benson, North Shore Jewish Center; Dr. Yousuf U. Syed, Islamic Association of Long Island; Shahid Mian, Masjid Darul Quran.