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{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Dr. Errol D. Toulon Jr.
| name = Errol D. Toulon Jr.
| office = 67th Sheriff of [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk County]]
| office = 67th Sheriff of [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk County]]
| image = Sheriff_Errol_D._Toulon,_Jr.jpg
| image = Sheriff_Errol_D._Toulon,_Jr.jpg
| caption = Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr.
| alt =
| alt =
| predecessor = [[Vincent F. DeMarco]]
| predecessor = [[Vincent F. DeMarco]]
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| term_end =
| term_end =
}}
}}
'''Errol D. Toulon Jr.''' (born July 20, 1962) is the 67th and current Sheriff of [[Suffolk County, New York]] on [[Long Island]]. Toulon is the first [[African American]] sheriff and first African American elected official to hold a "nonjudicial countywide office" in the history of Suffolk County.<ref name="Brand"/> Sheriff Toulon was re-elected to a second term on November 2, 2021.
'''Errol D. Toulon Jr.''' (born July 20, 1962) is the 67th and current sheriff of [[Suffolk County, New York]] on [[Long Island]]. Toulon is the first [[African American]] sheriff and first African American elected official to hold a nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.<ref name="Brand"/> Sheriff Toulon was re-elected to a second term on November 2, 2021.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Errol D. Toulon Jr. was raised in [[The Bronx, New York]]. His parents were Errol Sr., and Alma. His father was a deputy commissioner in the New York City Department of Corrections and his mother worked in education.<ref name=early>{{Cite news|url=http://tbrnewsmedia.com/may-not-know-new-sheriff-town/|title=What you may not know about the new sheriff in town|author=Kevin Redding|work=TBR News Media|date=December 21, 2017|access-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref> In the late 1970s, "Junior" served for two years as a [[batboy]] for the [[New York Yankees]].<ref name="NYSportsday">{{cite web|url=https://www.nysportsday.com/2018/01/13/negrons-impact-yankee-pride-at-sheriff-toulons-inauguration/|title=Negrons Impact: Yankee Pride at Sheriff Toulon’s Inauguration|website=NY Sports Day}}</ref>
Errol D. Toulon Jr. was raised in [[The Bronx, New York]]. His parents are Errol Sr. and Alma. His father was a Level I Warden in the New York City Department of Corrections and his mother worked in education.<ref name=early>{{Cite news|url=http://tbrnewsmedia.com/may-not-know-new-sheriff-town/|title=What you may not know about the new sheriff in town|author=Kevin Redding|work=TBR News Media|date=December 21, 2017|access-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref> In the late 1970s, "Junior" served for two years as a [[batboy]] for the [[New York Yankees]].<ref name="NYSportsday">{{cite web|url=https://www.nysportsday.com/2018/01/13/negrons-impact-yankee-pride-at-sheriff-toulons-inauguration/|title=Negrons Impact: Yankee Pride at Sheriff Toulon’s Inauguration|website=NY Sports Day}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-14 |title=This Bronx tale stars several Yankees greats and a future history-making bat boy |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/bat-boy-yankees-sheriff-jackson-murcer-steinbrenner-w16166 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
He graduated from [[Cardinal Hayes High School]] and earned a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree at [[Dowling College]] in 2007. He went on to earn an Advanced Certificate in Homeland Security Management from [[Long Island University]]. Toulon completed his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Dowling College in 2011. He also attended multiple leadership courses at the [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]] at [[Harvard University]].


⚫
He graduated from [[Cardinal Hayes High School]] and earned a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree at [[Dowling College]] in 2007. He went on to earn an Advanced Certificate in Homeland Security Management from [[Long Island University]]. Toulon completed his Doctorate in Educational Administration from [[Dowling College]] in 2011.{{cn|date=June 2023}}
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== Suffolk County Sheriff ==
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With over 300,000 votes cast, Toulon was elected with 49.56% of the vote in 2017 in his bid for Suffolk County Sheriff, defeating challenger Larry Zacarese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.suffolkcountyny.gov/boe/eleres/17ge/default.htm|title=Final Results of General Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2017|publisher=Suffolk County Board of Elections}}</ref> On January 12, 2018 Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. was sworn into office by New York Governor [[Andrew M. Cuomo]].<ref name=early/> He became the first African-American elected to any nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.<ref name="Brand">{{cite web |last1=Brand |first1=Rick |title=Toulon sworn in as Suffolk sheriff |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/errol-toulon-suffolk-sheriff-1.16148672 |website=Newsday |access-date=28 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> As Sheriff, Toulon has focused on combating gangs and the opioid epidemic, implementing programs to fight recidivism, and providing access to community programs for Suffolk County residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/errol-toulon-suffolk-sheriff-1.16148672|title=Errol Toulon Jr. sworn in as Suffolk County sheriff|website=Newsday.com}}</ref>


== Career ==
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== Assistant Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County ==
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Toulon served as the Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety under the administration of County Executive [[Steve Bellone]]. From this position, he oversaw 10,000 employees and an operating budget of $2.5 billion. the [[Suffolk County Police Department]], Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, the Probation Department, the Medical Examiner's Office, and the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/top-bellone-aide-an-ex-rikers-captain-tapped-as-nyc-dep-comm-1.8703167|title=Top Bellone aide, an ex-Rikers captain tapped as NYC deputy commissioner|work=Newsday}}</ref>


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=== New York City Department of Corrections ===
As Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety, Toulon reported and advised the County Executive on all matters of public safety and security issues. He was:

- A member of the Resolution Review Committee reviewing all resolutions from the Executive Branch of government

- Developed initiatives and policies within the Police and Probation Departments to combat heroin addiction and gang violence in the county

- Led the creation, implementation, and policy of the Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency

- Created and managed new security procedures and surveillance systems in the H. Lee Dennison Building (Suffolk County government office building)

- Created initiatives to reduce recidivism and increase organizational accountability in the Probation Department<ref name=":3" />

⚫
== New York City Department of Corrections ==
Toulon spent 22 years as a uniformed Member of Service with the [[New York City Department of Correction]] at [[Riker’s Island]], where he served as a supervisor and instructor at the Correction Academy, the Firearms and Tactics Unit, Emergency Service Unit and Office of Compliance Consultants.
Toulon spent 22 years as a uniformed Member of Service with the [[New York City Department of Correction]] at [[Riker’s Island]], where he served as a supervisor and instructor at the Correction Academy, the Firearms and Tactics Unit, Emergency Service Unit and Office of Compliance Consultants.


In July 2014, Toulon was named Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the New York City Department of Corrections.<ref name="tbrnewsmedia">{{cite web|url=http://tbrnewsmedia.com/history-made-toulin-sworn-suffolk-sheriff/|title=History made: Toulon sworn in as Suffolk Sheriff|publisher=TBR NEWSMEDIA}}</ref> As Deputy Commissioner of Operations, he oversaw 10,000 employees (uniformed and civilian) and an operating budget of $1.8 billion. He acted as senior advisor to the commissioner on all aspects of operations and system improvements and directly supervised the department's Correction Academy, the Correction Intelligence Bureau, the Operations Security Intelligence Unit, the Fusion Center, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire & Safety Unit, the Policies and Procedures Unit, the Nutritional Services Unit, the Environmental Health Unit, the Financial and Engineering Auditing Unit, PREA, and the Office of Policy Compliance. His main objective was focusing on improving management and strategy.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=Errol David Toulon, Jr. Ed.D. Curriculum Vitae|last=Toulon, Jr.|first=Errol|year=2020|pages=2}}</ref>
In July 2014, Toulon was named Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the New York City Department of Corrections.<ref name="tbrnewsmedia">{{cite web |title=History made: Toulon sworn in as Suffolk Sheriff |url=http://tbrnewsmedia.com/history-made-toulin-sworn-suffolk-sheriff/ |publisher=TBR NEWSMEDIA}}</ref> As Deputy Commissioner of Operations, he oversaw 10,000 employees (uniformed and civilian) and an operating budget of $1.8 billion. He acted as senior advisor to the commissioner on all aspects of operations and system improvements and directly supervised the department's Correction Academy, the Correction Intelligence Bureau, the Operations Security Intelligence Unit, the Fusion Center, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire & Safety Unit, the Policies and Procedures Unit, the Nutritional Services Unit, the Environmental Health Unit, the Financial and Engineering Auditing Unit, PREA, and the Office of Policy Compliance. His main objective was focusing on improving management and strategy.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Toulon, Jr. |first=Errol |title=Errol David Toulon, Jr. Ed.D. Curriculum Vitae |year=2020 |pages=2}}</ref>

== Corrections Intelligence Center ==
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On April 26, 2023, Sheriff Toulon launched the Corrections Intelligence Center on the grounds of the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank. According to Toulon, this center is the first-of-its-kind jail intelligence network that shares data, trends, best practices, and potential threats across jails and prisons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Apr 26 |last2=2023 |last3=Apr 26 |first3=9:37pmUpdated on |last4=Ponton |first4=2023By: Thema |title=Suffolk sheriff announces launch of Correction Intelligence Center at Yaphank Correctional Facility |url=https://newjersey.news12.com/suffolk-sheriff-announces-launch-of-correction-intelligence-center-at-yaphank-correctional-facility |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=News 12 - New Jersey}}</ref> The Corrections Intelligence Center is fully staffed with specially trained Corrections Intelligence Officers from participating agencies including New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision, New York City Department of Corrections, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Westchester Department of Corrections and Morris County (NJ) Sheriff’s Office. The center also includes remote participation from 20 additional Counties in the regional area that are participating in bi-weekly roundtables in addition to receiving immediate alerts to potential threats and trends.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-26 |title=Suffolk sheriff launches effort to track threats within jails, prisons |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-county-sheriff-errol-toulon-jr-the-corrections-intelligence-center-n1fqhzcy |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref> "This is a critical tool in stopping the flow of drugs into our jails, and ultimately into our neighborhoods," the sheriff said at a news conference in Yaphank with law enforcement and correction officials from across the state. "We will completely revolutionize, and really look to destroy, criminal networks in our community."<ref name=":4" /> Sheriff Toulon also announced plans to expand the CIC to national and international partners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suffolk Sheriff unveils Corrections Intelligence Center |url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/post/suffolk-sheriff-unveils-corrections-intelligence-center |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com}}</ref> Toulon said Chicago, Connecticut, Florida, Los Angeles, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia have agreed to work with the center. Potential international partners could include Australia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Great Britain and Puerto Rico, Toulon said. "There are no boundaries," he said, "and we have to share information. There should not be silos in what we do."<ref name=":4" />

==Chaplaincy program ==
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In April 2018, Toulon started a new chaplaincy program to assist in times of need for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Staff.  The 10 Chaplains, from various religious faiths were sworn in at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-sheriff-s-chaplains-1.18274688|title=Suffolk Sheriff's Office Swears in 8 Chaplains to Help Employees|website=Newsday}}</ref>

According to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/sheriffs-office-chaplains|title=Sheriff's Office Chaplains {{!}} Sheriff's Office {{!}} Suffolk County Sheriffs Office {{!}}|website=Suffolk Sheriff, NY|language=en|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> the purpose of the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Program is to provide interfaith emotional and spiritual counsel to Sheriff’s Office employees and their families during times of need and heightened stress.

The Volunteer Chaplains Program assists the Members of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office by providing the following services:

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Render spiritual guidance, aid in fostering personal growth, and offer moral support in crisis situations, in an atmosphere of understanding and confidentiality.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Counsel and support sworn officers, civilian employees, and their family members, in personal matters and family difficulties, and provide referral resources when applicable.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Visits to sick or injured officers in the hospital or at home when requested.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Assist Sheriff’s Office personnel in making notifications to the families of officers who have been seriously injured, or upon the death of a member of the Sheriff’s Office.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Participate in religious services for deceased members and offer support to the families of the deceased.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Attend and offer prayers at official Sheriff’s Office functions:  i.e. Memorial Services, graduations, and award ceremonies, etc. All requests shall be coordinated through the Director of the Chaplains Program.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> When requested, assist Sheriff’s Office personnel (and Crisis Intervention Team) in emergency situations; e.g. multi-casualty incidents, officer shot or seriously injured, major disasters.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> In “emergency” situations an available "On Call" Chaplain can be reached (24 hours) by phone, through the Radio Office Supervisor.  In non-emergency situations members may call on any Chaplain of their choice or, according to one’s individual religious affiliation.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Although Sheriff’s Office Chaplains are affiliated with various religious denominations, they serve as Chaplains to the whole department in an ecumenical –interfaith role, regardless of any individual’s religious tradition or lack thereof.<ref name=":2" />

== Senior Citizen Program POD ==
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The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has started a program that tries to fill the needs of older men jailed at the county correctional facility. The Senior Rehabilitation Pod Program is believed to be the first in the nation to segregate male inmates 50 and older from younger inmates to better concentrate on services more suited to the older inmates' needs. The program offers a wide range of services — everything from 12-step programs to employment counseling to mental health services — dedicated to improving the quality of older inmates’ lives while they are in jail and when they are released.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-jail-inmates-sheriff-1.20665779|title=LI Correctional Facility Carves Out A Separate Space for Older Inmates|work=Newsday}}</ref>

== Paws of War ==
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Paws of War to have a Veteran Inmate work to train a rescue dog from Southampton Animal Shelter named Rocky.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-jail-trains-paws-of-war-dog-veteran-1.19560929|title=Suffolk Jail Program Offers Second Chance to Veterans, Service Dog|work=Newsday}}</ref> After 8 weeks of training, Rocky would be given to a Veteran “on the outside” who suffers from PTSD.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://patch.com/new-york/riverhead/happy-ending-shelter-dog-trained-inmate-go-home-vet|title=Happy Ending: Shelter Dog Trained By Inmate To Go Home With Vet|work=Patch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://longisland.news12.com/story/39124188/marine-veteran-meets-service-dog-trained-at-suffolk-county-jail|title=Marine veteran meets service dog trained at Suffolk County Jail|work=News12}}</ref>

== G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) ==
The [[Suffolk County Sheriff's Office]] teaches local students in [[Gang Resistance Education and Training|Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.)]], a national program aimed at preventing bullying, drug use, violence and gangs in schools.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://longisland.news12.com/story/39116173/great-program-teaches-students-to-stay-away-from-gangs|title=G.R.E.A.T. Program Teaches Students to Stay Away From Gangs|work=News12}}</ref>

GREAT has reached more than 60,000 students in Suffolk since 2007. It is in 9 district and 51 Suffolk schools, including a few middle schools, which have a different, longer curriculum than in elementary schools.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=David |title=Suffolk fifth-graders graduate from gang-prevention program |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/fifth-graders-graduate-from-anti-gang-program-1.13724370 |website=Newsday |publisher=Newsday |access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref>

The instruction of [[life skills]] is the foundation of the program. In accordance with a study by Dr. Esbensen in 2000, delinquency often serves as a precursor to gang involvement, the GREAT program the focuses on providing life skills to students to help them avoid delinquent behavior and resorting to violence to solve problems. Communities need not have a gang problem in order to benefit from the program as its primary objective is prevention and is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.<ref>{{Citation|title=Gang Resistance Education and Training|date=2019-01-23|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Gang_Resistance_Education_and_Training&oldid=879729691|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>

== Y.E.S. (Youth Enlightenment Seminar) Tours ==
In 1979 the Youth Enlightenment Seminar (YES) Tours were established at the Riverhead Correctional Facility. The Community Relations Unit of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, conducts the Y.E.S. Tours. Although the Sheriff's Office is interested in raising the consciousness of all Suffolk County youth regarding the realities of criminal behavior and imprisonment, the main target population is composed of those adolescents who are on the verge of becoming involved or becoming more deeply involved in criminal activity and criminal association.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Y.E.S. Youth Enlightenment Seminars|publisher=Suffolk County Sheriff's Office- Community Relations Unit|year=2020|pages=1}}</ref>

As part of the program, the students receive a tour of the correctional facility and engage in a dialogue with a select group of inmates who have been involved in the system and are willing to share their experiences with the visiting youth.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dooley |first1=Eugene |title=The Sheriffs of Suffolk County |date=1989 |publisher=Suffolk County Sheriff's Office |location=New York |page=125 |edition=1st}}</ref>

According to the Community Relations Unit of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, the goals of the YES Tours are to help adolescents realize how easily antisocial criminal behavior can lead to prison, to offer support to parents, churches, and all those who are attempting to work with these adolescents, and to foster an awareness that only through work and education can life's most meaningful goals be accomplished.<ref name=":0" />

In November 2018, The Yaphank Correctional Facility opened its doors to student tours for the first time in a Youth Enlightenment Seminar (YES) tour. The students toured the facility and had the opportunity speak with inmates about making good choices.<ref name="News12">{{Cite news|url=http://longisland.news12.com/story/39496966/law-enforcement-students-get-close-up-view-of-jail-life-in-yaphank|title=Law Enforcement Students Get Close Up View of Jail Life in Yaphank|work=News12}}</ref>

== Choose to Thrive ==
In December 2018, Toulon unveiled his Choose To Thrive Female Program Pod in the Yaphank Correctional Facility. The program uses a holistic approach to helping women behind bars get back into mainstream society. From trauma counseling to assistance for the inmates' children, the women are in a structured program where they can choose the courses or services they want.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/women-inmates-at-suffolk-jail-get-program-to-ease-them-back-into-mainstream-life-1.24689360|title=Program at Suffolk Jail Helps Ease Women Back into Mainstream Life|work=Newsday}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fox5ny.com/news/program-offers-help-for-female-inmates|title=Program Offers Help for Female Inmates|website=Fox5NY.com}}</ref>


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=== Assistant Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County ===
This is the first program pod offered to the female general population.
⚫
Toulon served as the Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety from September 2012 to July 2014 under the administration of County Executive [[Steve Bellone]]. From this position, he oversaw 10,000 employees and an operating budget of $2.5 billion. the [[Suffolk County Police Department]], Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, the Probation Department, the Medical Examiner's Office, and the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Top Bellone aide, an ex-Rikers captain tapped as NYC deputy commissioner |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/top-bellone-aide-an-ex-rikers-captain-tapped-as-nyc-dep-comm-1.8703167}}</ref>


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=== Suffolk County Sheriff ===
Female inmates who were asked about programs in jail thought they were very helpful. They said that programs in prison showed them a better way of life.<ref name="riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com">{{Cite web|url=https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2019/05/93425/experts-call-for-focus-on-intervention-first-to-end-school-to-prison-pipeline/|title=Experts call for focus on intervention first to end school-to-prison pipeline|date=2019-05-17|website=Riverhead News Review|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>
⚫
With over 300,000 votes cast, Toulon was elected with 49.56% of the vote in 2017 in his bid for Suffolk County Sheriff, defeating challenger Larry Zacarese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.suffolkcountyny.gov/boe/eleres/17ge/default.htm|title=Final Results of General Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2017|publisher=Suffolk County Board of Elections}}</ref> On January 12, 2018, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. was sworn into office by New York Governor [[Andrew M. Cuomo]].<ref name="early" /> He became the first African American elected to any nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.<ref name="Brand">{{cite web |last1=Brand |first1=Rick |title=Toulon sworn in as Suffolk sheriff |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/errol-toulon-suffolk-sheriff-1.16148672 |website=Newsday |access-date=28 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/errol-toulon-suffolk-sheriff-1.16148672|title=Errol Toulon Jr. sworn in as Suffolk County sheriff|website=Newsday.com}}</ref> As Sheriff, Toulon has focused on combating gangs and the opioid epidemic, implementing programs to fight recidivism, and providing access to community programs for Suffolk County residents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. B. R. |date=2019-01-15 |title=Suffolk County program aims to decrease jail recidivism {{!}} TBR News Media |url=https://tbrnewsmedia.com/suffolk-county-program-aims-to-decrease-jail-recidivism/ |access-date=2023-11-17 |language=en-US}}</ref>


⚫
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has started a program that tries to fill the needs of older men jailed at the county correctional facility. The Senior Rehabilitation Pod Program is believed to be the first in the nation to segregate male inmates 50 and older from younger inmates to better concentrate on services more suited to the older inmates' needs. The program offers a wide range of services — everything from 12-step programs to employment counseling to mental health services — dedicated to improving the quality of older inmates’ lives while they are in jail and when they are released.<ref>{{Cite news |title=LI Correctional Facility Carves Out A Separate Space for Older Inmates |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-jail-inmates-sheriff-1.20665779}}</ref>
== Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline ==
In May 2019, Toulon and Assemblywoman [[Kimberly Jean-Pierre]] hosted a public hearing at [[Touro Law Center]] entitled “A Holistic Approach to Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline”.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbc-2.com/story/40421849/suffolk-county-sheriffs-office-announces-deconstructing-the-prison-pipeline-event|title=Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Announces Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline Event|work=NBC-2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/prison-pipeline-touro-law-center-1.30902794|title=Suffolk County Sheriff Toulon, Touro Law Center tackle prison pipeline issue|work=Newsday}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/2019/05/experts-call-for-focus-on-intervention-first-to-end-school-to-prison-pipeline/|title=Experts Call for Focus on Intervention First to End School to Prison Pipeline|work=Suffolk Times Review}}</ref> Speakers at this public hearing discussed the impact of parents' and family members' incarceration on children and siblings, how race and poverty feed the prison pipeline, childhood trauma and how it relates to delinquency in youth, and effective interventions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gse.touro.edu/events/list/a-holistic-approach-to-deconstructing-the-prison-pipeline-5102019.php|title=A Holistic Approach to Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline|last=Education|first=Graduate School of|website=gse.touro.edu|language=en|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> Acting Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho was present at this hearing, and made the case for "safe spaces" for children to receive "wraparound" services with job training, counseling, and recreational activities to help keep these kids from offending.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/prison-pipeline-touro-law-center-1.30902794|title=Woman, 23: 'I honestly know that prison saved me'|website=Newsday|language=en|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>


⚫
In April 2018, Toulon started a new chaplaincy program to assist in times of need for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Staff.  The 10 Chaplains, from various religious faiths were sworn in at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suffolk Sheriff's Office Swears in 8 Chaplains to Help Employees |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-sheriff-s-chaplains-1.18274688 |website=Newsday}}</ref> According to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Sheriff's Office Chaplains {{!}} Sheriff's Office {{!}} Suffolk County Sheriffs Office {{!}} |url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/sheriffs-office-chaplains |access-date=2020-01-17 |website=Suffolk Sheriff, NY |language=en}}</ref> the purpose of the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Program is to provide interfaith emotional and spiritual counsel to Sheriff’s Office employees and their families during times of need and heightened stress.
Many children who enter "the pipeline" are victims of poverty, abuse, or neglect. They often act out in school and are suspended due to "zero tolerance" policies. After being suspended, they end up being "pushed out" of the education system and end up in the correctional system, all stemming from a small in-school infraction, such as bringing nail clippers or scissors to school. Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline believes that students should be educated, not incarcerated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aclu.org/issues/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline|title=School-to-Prison Pipeline|website=American Civil Liberties Union|language=en|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>


In February 2020, Toulon launched the Sheriff's Transition and Reentry Team (S.T.A.R.T.) Resource Center. Located on the grounds of the Yaphank Correctional Center, the START Resource Center provides assistance to current and former inmates as they transition back into the community, whether they were incarcerated in Suffolk County or are returning to Suffolk after incarceration upstate or in another state.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-30 |title=Suffolk jail resource center offers help to inmates facing life on the outside |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/yaphank-suffolk-county-jail-u73087 |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref> This assistance comes in the form of employment assistance, help finding housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, clothing, and food. The START Center is staffed by five correction officers (three of which are correction counselors and two are Community Correction Officers<ref>{{Cite web |title=The START Resource Center {{!}} Suffolk County Sheriff's Office |url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/start-center |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com}}</ref>). Satellite locations of the Center were opened in Wyandanch and Port Jefferson<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Suffolk Sheriff Opens New Resource Center To Help Former Inmates Reenter Society |url=https://patch.com/new-york/portjefferson/suffolk-sheriff-opens-port-jefferson-center-help-former-inmates |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Port Jefferson, NY Patch |language=en}}</ref> to help better meet the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals who have transportation problems. Since its inception, the START Center has assisted more than 500 inmates and boasts that former inmates who work with the Center have a 12% recidivism rate as opposed to the national average of 30%.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. sworn in to a second term |language=en |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-sheriff-errol-toulon-swearing-in-o55068 |access-date=2023-11-17}}</ref>
Sheriff Toulon spoke to Greater Bay Shore about the task force. “Deconstructing the prison pipeline is about mobilizing all facets of the community to prevent juvenile delinquency and crime,” said Toulon. “It’s about implementing practical prevention and intervention solutions that will improve people’s lives and make our communities safer.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bayshore.greaterlongisland.com/2019/05/15/suffolk-county-is-working-toward-cracking-the-prison-pipeline-problem/|title=Suffolk County is working toward cracking the 'prison pipeline' problem|date=2019-05-15|website=GreaterBayShore - greaterlongisland.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>


⚫
On April 26, 2023, Toulon launched the Corrections Intelligence Center on the grounds of the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in [[Yaphank, New York|Yaphank]]. According to Toulon, this center is the first-of-its-kind jail intelligence network that shares data, trends, best practices, and potential threats across jails and prisons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 26, 2023 |last=Ponton |first=Thema |title=Suffolk sheriff announces launch of Correction Intelligence Center at Yaphank Correctional Facility |url=https://newjersey.news12.com/suffolk-sheriff-announces-launch-of-correction-intelligence-center-at-yaphank-correctional-facility |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=News 12 - New Jersey}}</ref> The Corrections Intelligence Center is fully staffed with specially trained Corrections Intelligence Officers from participating agencies including [[New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision]], [[New York City Department of Correction]], [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County]] Sheriff’s Office, [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester]] Department of Corrections and [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]] (NJ) Sheriff’s Office. The center also includes remote participation from 20 additional counties in the regional area that are participating in bi-weekly roundtables in addition to receiving immediate alerts to potential threats and trends.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-26 |title=Suffolk sheriff launches effort to track threats within jails, prisons |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-county-sheriff-errol-toulon-jr-the-corrections-intelligence-center-n1fqhzcy |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref> Sheriff Toulon also announced plans to expand the CIC to national and international partners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suffolk Sheriff unveils Corrections Intelligence Center |url=https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/post/suffolk-sheriff-unveils-corrections-intelligence-center |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com}}</ref>
Inmates who were at the Deconstructing the Prison Pipeline conference spoke positively of their experiences in jail, saying that the programs they were involved in while incarcerated showed them a better way of life. but they also said that had there been some kind of intervention earlier while they were in school they could have altered the path that led to their incarceration in the first place.<ref name="riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com"/>


== Personal ==
== Personal life ==
Toulon is a two time cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]] in 1996 and with [[pancreatic cancer]] in 2003.<ref name=early/> His first wife, Susan, died after 29 years of marriage. They had two children, including Justin, who works in film and television in Georgia. Errol was married in 2016 to Tina whom he met after Susan's death.<ref name=early/>
Toulon is a three-time cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]] in 1996 and with [[pancreatic cancer]] in 2003.<ref name=early/> His first wife, Susan, died after 29 years of marriage. They had two children. He remarried in 2016.<ref name=early/>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 12:23, 1 November 2024

Errol D. Toulon Jr.
67th Sheriff of Suffolk County
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2018 (2018-01-01)
Preceded byVincent F. DeMarco
Personal details
Born (1962-07-20) July 20, 1962 (age 62)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSusan Toulon

(m. 1984; died 2013)

Christina Toulon (m. 2016)
Children2
ResidenceSuffolk County, New York
Websitesuffolksheriff.com

Errol D. Toulon Jr. (born July 20, 1962) is the 67th and current sheriff of Suffolk County, New York on Long Island. Toulon is the first African American sheriff and first African American elected official to hold a nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.[1] Sheriff Toulon was re-elected to a second term on November 2, 2021.

Early life and education

[edit]

Errol D. Toulon Jr. was raised in The Bronx, New York. His parents are Errol Sr. and Alma. His father was a Level I Warden in the New York City Department of Corrections and his mother worked in education.[2] In the late 1970s, "Junior" served for two years as a batboy for the New York Yankees.[3][4]

He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School and earned a Master of Business Administration degree at Dowling College in 2007. He went on to earn an Advanced Certificate in Homeland Security Management from Long Island University. Toulon completed his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Dowling College in 2011.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]

New York City Department of Corrections

[edit]

Toulon spent 22 years as a uniformed Member of Service with the New York City Department of Correction at Riker’s Island, where he served as a supervisor and instructor at the Correction Academy, the Firearms and Tactics Unit, Emergency Service Unit and Office of Compliance Consultants.

In July 2014, Toulon was named Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the New York City Department of Corrections.[5] As Deputy Commissioner of Operations, he oversaw 10,000 employees (uniformed and civilian) and an operating budget of $1.8 billion. He acted as senior advisor to the commissioner on all aspects of operations and system improvements and directly supervised the department's Correction Academy, the Correction Intelligence Bureau, the Operations Security Intelligence Unit, the Fusion Center, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire & Safety Unit, the Policies and Procedures Unit, the Nutritional Services Unit, the Environmental Health Unit, the Financial and Engineering Auditing Unit, PREA, and the Office of Policy Compliance. His main objective was focusing on improving management and strategy.[6]

Assistant Deputy County Executive for Suffolk County

[edit]

Toulon served as the Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety from September 2012 to July 2014 under the administration of County Executive Steve Bellone. From this position, he oversaw 10,000 employees and an operating budget of $2.5 billion. the Suffolk County Police Department, Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, the Probation Department, the Medical Examiner's Office, and the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.[7]

Suffolk County Sheriff

[edit]

With over 300,000 votes cast, Toulon was elected with 49.56% of the vote in 2017 in his bid for Suffolk County Sheriff, defeating challenger Larry Zacarese.[8] On January 12, 2018, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. was sworn into office by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.[2] He became the first African American elected to any nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County.[1][9] As Sheriff, Toulon has focused on combating gangs and the opioid epidemic, implementing programs to fight recidivism, and providing access to community programs for Suffolk County residents.[10]

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has started a program that tries to fill the needs of older men jailed at the county correctional facility. The Senior Rehabilitation Pod Program is believed to be the first in the nation to segregate male inmates 50 and older from younger inmates to better concentrate on services more suited to the older inmates' needs. The program offers a wide range of services — everything from 12-step programs to employment counseling to mental health services — dedicated to improving the quality of older inmates’ lives while they are in jail and when they are released.[11]

In April 2018, Toulon started a new chaplaincy program to assist in times of need for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Staff.  The 10 Chaplains, from various religious faiths were sworn in at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.[12] According to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office,[13] the purpose of the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Program is to provide interfaith emotional and spiritual counsel to Sheriff’s Office employees and their families during times of need and heightened stress.

In February 2020, Toulon launched the Sheriff's Transition and Reentry Team (S.T.A.R.T.) Resource Center. Located on the grounds of the Yaphank Correctional Center, the START Resource Center provides assistance to current and former inmates as they transition back into the community, whether they were incarcerated in Suffolk County or are returning to Suffolk after incarceration upstate or in another state.[14] This assistance comes in the form of employment assistance, help finding housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, clothing, and food. The START Center is staffed by five correction officers (three of which are correction counselors and two are Community Correction Officers[15]). Satellite locations of the Center were opened in Wyandanch and Port Jefferson[16] to help better meet the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals who have transportation problems. Since its inception, the START Center has assisted more than 500 inmates and boasts that former inmates who work with the Center have a 12% recidivism rate as opposed to the national average of 30%.[17]

On April 26, 2023, Toulon launched the Corrections Intelligence Center on the grounds of the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank. According to Toulon, this center is the first-of-its-kind jail intelligence network that shares data, trends, best practices, and potential threats across jails and prisons.[18] The Corrections Intelligence Center is fully staffed with specially trained Corrections Intelligence Officers from participating agencies including New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, New York City Department of Correction, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Westchester Department of Corrections and Morris County (NJ) Sheriff’s Office. The center also includes remote participation from 20 additional counties in the regional area that are participating in bi-weekly roundtables in addition to receiving immediate alerts to potential threats and trends.[19] Sheriff Toulon also announced plans to expand the CIC to national and international partners.[20]

Personal life

[edit]

Toulon is a three-time cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1996 and with pancreatic cancer in 2003.[2] His first wife, Susan, died after 29 years of marriage. They had two children. He remarried in 2016.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Brand, Rick. "Toulon sworn in as Suffolk sheriff". Newsday. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Kevin Redding (December 21, 2017). "What you may not know about the new sheriff in town". TBR News Media. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  3. ^ "Negrons Impact: Yankee Pride at Sheriff Toulon's Inauguration". NY Sports Day.
  4. ^ "This Bronx tale stars several Yankees greats and a future history-making bat boy". Newsday. 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  5. ^ "History made: Toulon sworn in as Suffolk Sheriff". TBR NEWSMEDIA.
  6. ^ Toulon, Jr., Errol (2020). Errol David Toulon, Jr. Ed.D. Curriculum Vitae. p. 2.
  7. ^ "Top Bellone aide, an ex-Rikers captain tapped as NYC deputy commissioner". Newsday.
  8. ^ "Final Results of General Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2017". Suffolk County Board of Elections.
  9. ^ "Errol Toulon Jr. sworn in as Suffolk County sheriff". Newsday.com.
  10. ^ Staff, T. B. R. (2019-01-15). "Suffolk County program aims to decrease jail recidivism | TBR News Media". Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  11. ^ "LI Correctional Facility Carves Out A Separate Space for Older Inmates". Newsday.
  12. ^ "Suffolk Sheriff's Office Swears in 8 Chaplains to Help Employees". Newsday.
  13. ^ "Sheriff's Office Chaplains | Sheriff's Office | Suffolk County Sheriffs Office |". Suffolk Sheriff, NY. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
  14. ^ "Suffolk jail resource center offers help to inmates facing life on the outside". Newsday. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  15. ^ "The START Resource Center | Suffolk County Sheriff's Office". www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  16. ^ "Suffolk Sheriff Opens New Resource Center To Help Former Inmates Reenter Society". Port Jefferson, NY Patch. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  17. ^ "Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. sworn in to a second term". Newsday. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  18. ^ Ponton, Thema (Apr 26, 2023). "Suffolk sheriff announces launch of Correction Intelligence Center at Yaphank Correctional Facility". News 12 - New Jersey. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  19. ^ "Suffolk sheriff launches effort to track threats within jails, prisons". Newsday. 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  20. ^ "Suffolk Sheriff unveils Corrections Intelligence Center". www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
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