Kevin Coppinger Sworn In For Second Term As Essex County Sheriff

LYNN, MA — Kevin Coppinger was sworn in Wednesday for his second term as Essex County Sheriff.

The event took place at Lynn Classical High School in Coppinger's hometown of Lynn, where he also once served as police chief. Lt. Gov. Kimberley Driscoll administered the oath.

Coppinger ran unopposed in the November election after defeating Virginia Leigh in September's Democratic primary.

During his second inaugural address, Coppinger focused on the importance of treatment, rehabilitation and re-entry for people who become connected with the criminal justice system. He said the mission of law enforcement agencies, specifically sheriff's departments, now goes beyond the "care, control, and custody," of inmates.

"Today, we ask why are individuals incarcerated, what were the root causes of their behavior that brought them to commit crime, and what types of services and treatment options can we offer during their time with us," Coppinger said.

The sheriff added: "The field of corrections today requires a balanced measure and approach, working hand-in-hand with law enforcement, the courts, social service providers, educators, community groups, families and elected officials, with the ultimate goal of providing the best in public safety for all."

Coppinger said it's important to develop individualized treatment plans for incarcerated individuals that emphasize education, vocation and clinical services.

"To be effective, these treatment plans must be developed with the individual's eventual return to his/her community in mind. In other words, re-entry starts Day One," Coppinger said. "I strongly believe that when inmates return to their communities they should return with a solid, well-defined aftercare plan in hand. Without one, they are doomed to failure along with a return to criminal behavior."

Coppinger highlighted several programs created or enhanced during his first term that are geared toward re-entry, reducing recidivism and preventing people from going to jail in the first place.

These programs include: Clean and Sober Existence Unit (CASE), which helps people beat addiction; Correctional Opportunities for Personal Enrichment (COPE), a specialized housing unit for those with mental illness that includes clinicians embedded in the unit; and Correctional Alternatives for Re-Entry (CARE), a pre-trial diversion unit that provides critical institutional programming while securing community-based services for those being released.

"I believe a sheriff must support and be part of efforts throughout the county to keep people out of jail," Coppinger said. "If these needed services can be provided to individuals at critical times, prior to arrest, the goal is to direct the individual to the proper care providers, which in many instances is not the courts, and thus not jail. The result? Less crime, increased public safety, reduced inmate populations. A win-win-win for sure."