[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 218 (Monday, December 21, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1191-E1192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE LEGACY OF SHERIFF MICHAEL J. ASHE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 21, 2020

  Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, it is with great satisfaction that I rise 
today to recognize the remarkable career of retired Hampden County 
Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, Jr. Sheriff Ashe, in a career spanning over 
four decades, has created the model of rehabilitating inmates across 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the country. A native of my 
hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, Sheriff Ashe has spent his life 
embodying the fundamental principle that all who are willing to work 
for a second chance, ought to receive one. His signature philosophy of 
``strength reinforced with decency; firmness dignified in fairness'' 
led to countless lives being changed for the better, while resulting in 
one of the lowest reincarceration rates in the United States.
  Originally a social worker, Sheriff Ashe sought to provide long-term 
care and housing to the youth who were most in need of it. Serving as 
the first Assistant Director of Downey Side homes for the youth, Mike 
Ashe displayed remarkable leadership by being the first to welcome to 
his home battered or at-risk children, a reminder that no member of the 
community shall be forgotten. His commitment to those who are often 
forgotten in society led to his candidacy for Sheriff of Hampden 
County. Since his initial election in 1974, Ashe was re-elected every 6 
years without contest until he announced his retirement in 2016.
  Anyone who has gotten to know Sheriff Ashe will affirm that he had 
never been in the business of incarceration, rather his focus was on 
corrections. His doctrine on correctional supervision was guided by the 
simple principle that inmates should be held accountable and be 
positive and productive. The Sheriff long understood that if he were to 
adequately rehabilitate his inmates, he would need to put together a 
competent coalition of staff and volunteers who could command the 
situation, while exemplifying the upmost professionalism.
  Sheriff Ashe instituted an inmate Basic Intensive Regimen in which 
all inmates are required to undergo during their first 5 weeks of 
incarceration. During this critical time, inmates are required to 
participate in programs that focus on substance abuse, anger 
management, cognitive thinking, victim impact, and more. In Hampden 
County, it is excepted that inmates work on assignments or some sort of 
productive activity, for at least 40 hours per week. With over 140 
programs available, inmates are encouraged to famously ``answer the 
bell'' for a productive day, just like they will have to do if they are 
to be productive citizens.
  Under his leadership, Hampden County was home to the nation's first 
Day Reporting Center, the first program of its kind to offer support

[[Page E1192]]

for inmates close to re-entering society. A model that has been 
replicated throughout the country. Similarly, Sheriff Ashe was 
responsible for the nation's first Incarceration Support Systems, 
offering assistance to those newly freed from incarceration. And if 
that wasn't enough, Sheriff Ashe helped construct the Western 
Massachusetts Correctional Addictions Center, one of the nation's 
original correctional facilities dedicated to substance abuse 
treatment.
  Throughout his career, Sheriff Ashe's tireless work has made our 
community a safer, more just, caring place. During his tenure, Sheriff 
Ashe witnessed over 4,600 inmates graduate his educational programs, 
earning a GED or a high school equivalent diploma. While Mike Ashe 
oversaw his inmates contribute over 1 million hours of community 
service to Hampden County communities. While heading the Massachusetts 
Sheriffs Association, Ashe was able to present his successful 
philosophy for community corrections to the rest of the Commonwealth, 
further promoting an emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment. 
A recipient of the White House ``Champions of Change'' Award, Sheriff 
Ashe has made the Commonwealth proud while illustrating through his 
work, that the United States is indeed a nation of second chances.

                          ____________________