Andrea J. Cabral
Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral last month began serving the first half of a two-year term as president of the Massachusetts Sheriff’s Association (MSA).
Elected by the sitting sheriffs from 12 of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, including outgoing president Frank G. Cousins, sheriff of Essex County, Cabral assumes the role following a term as vice president of the MSA.
Established 25 years ago, the MSA works to address issues that have “a direct relationship and impact on the entire criminal justice system, and which may affect the operation of the various sheriff’s offices,” according to the organization’s mission statement. “These issues include, but are not limited to, those related to law enforcement, the care and custody of inmates and detainees, judicial services, transportation of prisoners, recidivism, officer training, re-entry programming, and legislative advocacy.”
The organization’s president is responsible for facilitating communication among Massachusetts’ county sheriffs, to represent the MSA by speaking for the group as events and situations dictate, and to both identify and promote best practices within the corrections profession.
“I am honored to be chosen to serve as president of the Massachusetts Sheriff’s Association and I look forward to advancing its mission,” said Cabral in a statement. “Obviously, reducing recidivism is still of paramount importance to the MSA. The direct impact that pre-release programming and skills building for ex-offenders has on public safety can’t be ignored. In my new role as President of the MSA, I will continue to work with my colleagues to advance this goal, as well as other issues pertinent to the organization.”
“Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral understands the important work the members of the MSA do on a daily basis,” said outgoing MSA president Cousins. “She is committed to keeping the citizens of Boston safe, and also establishing programs that will help all offenders achieve success when they return to their families.”
