WASHINGTON D.C. – Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe was honored Monday during a White House ceremony that celebrated his 40-year career in criminal justice and recognized him as a “champion of change” in the area of inmate rehabilitation.
Ashe was one of 15 people being recognized under President Obama’s “Champions of Change” program in the category of Expanding Reentry Employment Opportunities.
Ashe was singled out for his work establishing a program at the Hampden County Correctional Center that helps inmates re-adjust to society after their release from incarceration.
As part of his re-entry effort, Sheriff Ashe has utilized some 300 community partnerships to help offenders find 523 jobs in 2013, and over 10,000 jobs in the past 20 years, having an impact on recidivism and public safety.
The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.
Each of the people being recognized was singled out for their work in aiding former inmates adjust to a life on the outside after incarceration.
Attorney General Eric Holder praised the award recipients, saying their work demonstrates re-entry programs are a critical part of the criminal just agenda.
“ Sound reentry policy is much more than an economic and budgetary necessity. It’s also a moral imperative. After all, at some point, 95 percent of all incarcerated people will be released,” Holder said.
Ashe was congratulated by, D-Springfield, Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, and by Governor Deval Patrick.
Neal said he was pleased to nominate Ashe, his long-time friend for the award.
“In my opinion, there is no-one in law enforcement more deserving of this special recognition from the White House than Sheriff Ashe. It is a fitting tribute to a remarkable career in public service,” Neal said.
“Sheriff Ashe is one of the most passionate and innovative public officials in the country, and this recognition honors his nearly four decades of exemplary service to the people of Massachusetts,” Markey said.
Warren said “Sheriff Ashe has done an outstanding job growing innovative, successful, and nationally recognized corrections and reentry programs based on his values of strength, decency, firmness and fairness.
Governor Patrick said “His remarkable record of achievements and his outstanding commitment to the field of criminal justice makes him truly deserving of this honorable recognition.”
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