History and Mission of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office
The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office has existed in some form since the 1600s. The first Sheriff of Hampden County, West Springfield native Jonathan Smith Jr., was appointed by then Gov. Elbridge Gerry in 1812, shortly after Hampden County was formally established after being part of Hampshire County.
Fast forward a couple hundred years and today the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office is a leader in the evolving paradigm of corrections, community policing and criminal justice reform.
Under retired Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr., the office and, frankly, the field of corrections was turned upside down, as Ashe, a trained social worker, took a more methodical and empathetic approach to the role of a jail and sheriff. He instituted programs and created opportunities aimed at treating inmates in a holistic way.
Within a few years of taking office in 1975, Ashe had the data to prove his method was working, as fewer and fewer people were being rearrested for new crimes once they were released from jail. His "firm but fair" motto and determination to begin planning for someone’s successful reentry to the community on day one of incarceration became the international model for any sheriff’s office or correctional facility looking to do more than just guard inmates.
Under the leadership of Sheriff Nick Cocchi, who took office in 2017, the Sheriff’s Office provides a continuum of care designed to empower the justice-involved population to reclaim their liberty through informed and responsible choices and promote their successful re-entry into the community as law-abiding socially and civically responsible citizens.
The Sheriff’s Office enhances public safety through the corrections process by providing offenders proper classification, security, treatment, and programs to accomplish positive lifestyle changes and minimize and/or eradicate negative social traits and criminogenic behaviors.
In the community, Sheriff’s Office staff works to engage the public and provide patrols on the streets, in the parks and on area waterways through advanced community policing efforts. You will also see our staff volunteering their time to help area nonprofits, neighborhood watch groups, and any cause where there is a need that is worthwhile and unmet.
The safety of and service for the public is at the core of all we do.
A National Model for Modern Corrections
The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is widely recognized as a national model for modern, evidence-based correctional practices that prioritize public safety, accountability, and long-term success. Rather than focusing solely on incarceration, HCSO operates on a simple but powerful principle: re-entry begins on day one.
From the moment an individual enters HCSO custody, they are assessed and connected to programming designed to address the root causes of criminal behavior. Education, vocational training, substance use treatment, mental health services, and cognitive-behavioral programming are integrated into daily operations—not as optional add-ons, but as core components of custody. This approach ensures that time served is time used productively, benefiting individuals, families, and the broader community.
HCSO’s results consistently stand in sharp contrast to national trends. While national recidivism rates remain stubbornly high—often cited as affecting the majority of justice-involved individuals within just a few years of release—HCSO’s outcomes are significantly lower. These results reflect decades of sustained investment in re-entry planning, strong partnerships with community-based service providers, and a commitment to continuity of care upon release.
Equally important, HCSO’s correctional philosophy emphasizes dignity, structure, and responsibility. By setting clear expectations and providing meaningful opportunities for change, the Sheriff’s Office fosters safer facilities, stronger staff-client relationships, and improved outcomes both inside and outside the walls.
Through innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast belief in second chances, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office continues to demonstrate that smart corrections are not just good policy—they are essential to safer communities and a stronger Commonwealth.
More Than a Jail: A Lifeline for Western Massachusetts
The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office is far more than a correctional institution—it is a critical public safety and community resource serving cities and towns across Western Massachusetts. Through a wide range of law enforcement, prevention, and outreach initiatives, HCSO plays an active role in protecting residents, supporting vulnerable populations, and strengthening the region as a whole.
HCSO’s Law Enforcement Division provides highly trained, specialized services that extend well beyond traditional corrections. Deputies support court operations, transportation, investigations, and emergency response while working in close partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure regional safety and continuity across the justice system.
Specialized units further expand the Sheriff’s Office’s reach and visibility in the community. The Mounted Patrol Unit enhances public safety at large-scale events, patrols parks and urban areas, and serves as a highly effective community engagement tool, fostering positive interactions between law enforcement and the public. The Marine Patrol Unit plays a vital role in ensuring safety along waterways throughout Hampden County, conducting patrols, supporting search and rescue operations, and responding to emergencies on rivers and other bodies of water.
The Sheriff’s Office also fulfills a critical protective function by serving 209A abuse prevention orders in the cities of Springfield and Holyoke. This responsibility places HCSO deputies on the front lines of domestic violence prevention, ensuring that court-issued orders are delivered promptly, professionally, and with the safety of victims as the highest priority.
Prevention and early intervention remain central to the HCSO mission. The nationally recognized TRIAD Program, operated in partnership with local police departments and Councils on Aging, focuses on protecting older adults from crime, fraud, and exploitation. Through education, outreach, and direct engagement, TRIAD strengthens community awareness while building trust between seniors and law enforcement.
Whether supporting victims of domestic violence, safeguarding seniors, assisting partner agencies, or maintaining a visible presence on land and water, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office operates with a clear understanding that public safety does not begin or end at a facility gate. It is built through service, partnership, and prevention—making HCSO a true lifeline for Western Massachusetts.