Ed O’Reilly, Democratic candidate for Essex County sheriff, says everyone now in the House of Correction will eventually be released and the sheriff’s department plays a role in ensuring a smooth transition.
O’Reilly, of Wenham, appeared on WHAV’s Open Mike Show to make the case for better preparing prisoners for a life outside bars.
“We want to better prepare people with jobs, treatment plans, with housing and education. We really need to do that so we’re actually giving them a chance in making our community safer in preventing more crime,” he said.
He said alcohol and drug addiction problems are behind many crimes, noting he, himself, has been in “recovery” 27 years. He supports expanding treatment programs in the sheriff’s department and particular likes programs such as Gloucester’s Angel Program which provides “treatment upon demand.”
O’Reilly is a criminal defense attorney and has worked as both a corrections officer, corrections counselor and professional firefighter. He is a former Gloucester City Councilor-at Large and former member of the Gloucester School Committee.
Also, during the Open Mike Show, host Tim Coco weighs on the charter school ballot initiative and takes contrary opinions from listeners.