BOSTON – A local legislator has been chosen to serve on a special commission to study the prevention of suicide for Massachusetts correctional officers.
State Representative Will Crocker (R-Centerville), who represents the 2nd Barnstable District, will serve on the 13-member commission which will review existing suicide prevention programs and provide recommendations for improving suicide identification and intervention for prison staff.
A recent report shows that the suicide rate for correctional officers in the state is 6 times higher than the rate for the population as a whole.
Crocker said he is honored to have been appointed to the commission.
“Having previously served in the Bristol County House of Correction, I am confident that my years of experience working in the correctional system will be significant in helping to reach the goals of the commission,” Crocker said.
House Minority Leader Bradley Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) picked Crocker for the commission because of his time working as a teacher at the Bristol County House of Correction.
“His prior experience and insight will be an asset to the commission as it works to devise ways to prevent suicide among correction officers by making sure they have the full range of support and services they need,” Jones said.
The commission is due to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 31.
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