Press Release: Sheriff Toulon Creates Sheriff's Interfaith Council

For Immediate Release:

SHERIFF ERROL D. TOULON, JR. CREATES SHERIFF’S INTERFAITH COUNCIL

******** Leaders from Suffolk County Religious Organizations Working Together to Meet the Needs of Incarcerated Population Both In and Out of Jail

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The Sheriff's Interfaith Council works to meet the needs of Suffolk's incarcerated inmates and their families.

(Yaphank, NY) On Tuesday, October 15th, 2019, Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. hosted 10 leaders from various religious organizations throughout Suffolk County that will be forming the new Sheriff’s Interfaith Council.

The Council talked about some of the issues our incarcerated population faces while inside our facilities as well as upon release, the services each church can offer the community, and how to aid local schools and youth in need. They finished the day with a tour of the Yaphank Correctional Facility.

“We have assembled a diverse group of Suffolk County’s religious leaders to discuss what deficits exist in how we meet the needs of our incarcerated inmates and their families. I believe that working together with the Sheriff’s Office, we can all enhance the services each organization provides. Our goal is to serve the needs of the children and families of those incarcerated in the most efficient way possible.”

~ Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr.

The Sheriff’s Interfaith Council consists of: Deacon James McLaughlin, Diocese of Rockville Centre; Justin McMahon, St. Sylvester RC Church; Pastor Bert Crabbe, True North Community Church; Dr. Beresford Adams, First Baptist Church; Pastor Todd Bishop, Church Unleashed; Pastor Kara Bocchino, Axis Church; Pastor Gregory Wilk, Abundant Life Church of God; Pastor Jessica Baes, Real Life Church; Pastor Keith Indovino, Truth Community Church; Pastor Mike Jankowski, The Harbor Church; Rabbi Aaron Benson, North Shore Jewish Center; Dr. Yousuf U. Syed, Islamic Association of Long Island; Shahid Mian, Masjid Darul Quran.

“The Interfaith Council meeting at Suffolk County Sheriff's office was highly appreciated by multifaith community leaders. Many important issues concerning the welfare of inmates were discussed. Connecting the inmate to steady employment was explored, which is the important issue for rehabilitating inmates. I was impressed by the dedication of the Sheriff and his dedicated staff to prisoner reform and their welfare.”

~ Yousuf U. Syed, M.D.MPH., Islamic Association of Long Island

The Sheriff’s Interfaith Council will meet monthly to meet the needs of the children and family of Suffolk County’s inmate population.