Choices Originating
in 1997, Choices
is a unique collaborative between Bristol County Sheriff Hodgson
and Dr. Irving Fradkin, founder of Dollars for Scholars
and the American Dream Challenge. Dr. Francis is known
nationally for his efforts to convince young people to stay in school.
Choices
brings a member of the Sheriff's Office and inmates directly into
the classroom or auditorium to discuss drug and alcohol abuse. Inmates
share the consequences of their own bad decisions and the difficulties
they face both in jail and upon their eventual release.
Both
male and female inmates are carefully selected from one of the minimum-security
facilities in Bristol County
to send this important message.
K-9 Demonstrations The Bristol County K-9 Unit is an invaluable
asset in providing additional security at each of our facilities.
The unit also assists city and town law enforcement agencies in
their efforts to find missing children, locate criminals, and detect
drugs.
The dogs are specially bred German
Shepherds. Children find the demonstration both interesting and
informative.
Project
S.L.A.M.
Life in the Bristol County House of Correction is not easy. Inmates
are told when to wake up and when to go to sleep, where they can
and can't go, and what to eat and drink.
Accompanied by members of the Sheriff's
Office, students pass through metal detectors and other security
systems for a tour of the jail. Once inside, students learn first-hand
what it's like being locked up in a jail cell.
The tour wraps with a frank presentation
from male and female inmates about their own life of crime. These
stories include drug abuse and addiction, prostitution, gangs, AIDS,
violence and murder. These are real stories spoken from the heart
and directed to teach kids about the terrible fate of life in the
jail.
TRIADClick
here to watch video about the TRIAD program TRIAD is a three-way commitment between the Bristol
County Sheriff's Office, the local police department and senior
citizens. TRIAD is a unique partnership that promotes
cooperation between these three groups to reduce criminal victimization
of the elderly.
Other programs that have been successfully
implemented thanks to TRIAD include: The File of
Life, The House Numbers Program and Are You OK?
Sheriff's
Reading Program
Sheriff Hodgson's philosophy that education is a significant deterrent
for incarceration prompted him to adopt the Sheriff's Reading
Program.
The Sheriff, or a uniformed Correctional
Officer, will visit with students in grades K-5, and read an age-appropriate
book, or tell a story about the importance of making good choices
and staying out of trouble.
Students will interact and ask questions
after the reading.
Child Safety
Seats
Bristol County Sheriff's Department offers child safety seat checks
for proper installation and fit for the age and size of the child.
This program helps parents find the right seat for their child or
children.
Internet
Safety Tips
Working with the schools in Bristol Country, Sheriff Hodgson sends
in department personnel to help prevent dangerous internet threats
to school children. The messages are:
Always tell a parent or another adult
immediately if something is confusing or seems scary
Never give out full name, address, phone
number, school location or schedule. Check with an adult for any
exceptions.
Never meet face-to-face with someone you've
met online
Never respond online to any messages that
seem scary, or just feel weird.
Never send a picture over the internet
or in regular mail to anyone without a parent's permission
