Educational Programs



The Educational and Vocational Services Department offers offenders learning experiences that can help them change their lives for the better. In addition to our Adult Basic Education program that allows students to work toward their high school credential, we also offer an Advanced Education course and a College Readiness program in which students may learn about how to successfully navigate higher education.

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The Educational Services Department offers the following educational services:


Academic Educational Services

The chapter 452 functional literacy program is offered to all offenders serving a sentence of more than ninety days. The offenders are given the opportunity to take an assessment test to determine individual instructional needs and current levels of performance in order to ensure proper placement in educational programming. Offenders who test below an eighth grade reading level shall participate in educational programming for no less than ninety days. Offenders who refuse to be tested are asked to sign a refusal form to be submitted to the Parole Board. Chapter 452 requires that the Parole Board be notified of those offenders who are and are not in compliance with Chapter 452. Any offender who refuses testing is prohibited from participating in any other educational programming. An offender may request reconsideration for testing at any time during incarceration.

Adult Basic Education

The Adult Basic Education program is offered by staff and qualified volunteers to offenders who, when tested, have not achieved a level necessary for successful High School Equivalency program completion. In this program, more emphasis is spent on attempting to raise the basic mathematics and English skills on an individual basis.

Reading Enrichment Program

This program is designed to help student offenders gain a facility in reading texts and various printed materials with which they come in contact. Emphasis is placed on developing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and study skills. This program meets the needs of those offenders who want to be in compliance with Chapter 452.

High School Credentialing Diploma (HiSET) Program

The High School Equivalency program is offered to offenders who wish to receive high school equivalency credential studies while confined in the facility. Success in this program is achieved by daily attendance at formal mathematics and English classes where, depending on the individual's needs, a student is permitted to work at his own speed and level. The high school equivalency examination is administered free of charge to offenders.

English as a Second Language

The ESL program is offered to offenders who wish to improve their command of the English language. NSO staff and volunteers facilitate this program weekly.

Title 1 Program

This supplemental course is designed for and targeted toward “the most academically needy” of offenders between the ages of 18-21. Program services include academic, vocational, and self-help groups. The goal of these programs is to assist students in their on-going education endeavors, their ability to find success within those programs, and their future careers

College Transition Program

The College Readiness Program is one of the most demanding academic programs available at NSO. It is offered to offenders who are highly motivated and committed to further their education once they are no longer incarcerated. Offenders must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency to participate in the College Readiness Program. All classes offered are on a “pre-college level” that assists in preparing offenders with the academic skills, study skills and confidence to enter college. Classes offered include: reading & writing, math, and college readiness.

Public Speaking

The speaking skills taught in this twelve week course teach offenders methods of better communication. They will develop the ability to build stronger personal relationships and a better understanding in the workplace. Students will develop confidence in self when in any negotiation and their personal development will soar.

Financial Literacy

This eight-week course prepares individuals to make appropriate decisions in managing their personal finances and enhancing their money management skills. This class focuses on learning how to budget money, how to open and maintain a savings and checking account, and how to obtain and analyze credit records.

Current Events

This education program is an ongoing course for pre-trial offenders that focuses on discussions and media related to contemporary issues.

Creative Writing

Eight week course with a focus on short stories, poetry, movies and the interpretation of song lyrics. Topics to be discussed are how music influences society, the meaning behind movies and the role that each character plays in the movie, and short stories and their relevance to our lives.






Press Releases

Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office’s Commitment to Leadership Recognized with Prestigious National Award
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Sheriff McDermott Applauds Justice-Involved Individuals for Completing Nurturing Fathers Program
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SHERIFF MCDERMOTT ANNOUNCES FREE STREET HOCKEY CLINIC IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOCKEY CARES FOR KIDS
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Sheriff Patrick McDermott Invests in Public Safety Mission with Area’s First-of-its-Kind Mobile Drone Command Center
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Hosts Second Summer Safety Fest of 2023 in Medway
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Norfolk County Sheriff's Office Brings First Mobile Drone Command Center in New England to Region
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Sheriff Patrick McDermott Testifies in Opposition to Prison Moratorium Bill
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Hosts First Summer Safety Fest of 2023 in Braintree
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Sheriff’s Office and Marcotte Foundation Host Successful Self-Defense Class for Women
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Sheriff’s Summer Safety Fests Return to Norfolk County
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Warns Residents of Dating App Scam
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Norfolk County Sheriff McDermott Promotes Tom Brady to Deputy Superintendent
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Leadership Academy Opens Second Location in Medway
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Opens New Civil Process Location in Quincy
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Commonwealth Recognizes NCSO Officer with Award for Lifesaving Efforts
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office to Partner with Free Jacks Rugby Club to Promote “Heroes Among Us” Celebration of First Responders QUINCY
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office and South Shore Children’s Chorus to Launch New Performing Arts Leadership Program for Area Youth
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office and Massasoit Community College Partner to Provide Workforce Training to Justice-Involved Individuals
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Announces New Lottery System for Popular Youth Leadership Academy
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NCSO Warns Residents of Phone Scams Impersonating Law Enforcement
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Norfolk Sheriff's Office to Host Community Blood Drive
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Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott Sworn In For Full Term
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Norfolk County Sheriff Brings “Coffee with the Sheriff” to Quincy
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Graduates New Class of Correctional Officers
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Partners with Northeastern University to Help Justice-Involved Individuals Earn College Credit
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office to Spread Seasonal Cheer with Holiday Happenings Celebrations
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Norfolk County Sheriff McDermott Hires Michael Ramos as Director of Community Affairs
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Norfolk County Sheriff McDermott Hires John Kalamvokis as Director of Information Technology
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Norfolk County Sheriff Calls for Increased Federal Funding for Behavioral Health Care
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office and Sharon Police Department to Host Free Summer Safety Fest at Crescent Ridge in Sharon
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Man for Several Years of Unpaid Child Support
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Alerts Residents of Potential Scam
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Are You OK? Program Saves Life of Norfolk County Senior
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NCSO Superintendent Danielle Frane Receives Spirit of MAWLE Leadership Award for Women in Law Enforcement
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Norfolk County Correctional Officer Receives Meritorious Recognition from Commonwealth for Lifesaving Efforts
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Residents Enjoy Sheriff’s Summer Safety Fest at Merrymount Beach
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NCSO Lieutenant Receives Massachusetts Medal of Lifesaving for Actions to Save Victim of Motorcycle Accident
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Norfolk County Sheriff, DA, and Treasurer Host Public Safety Alliance Summit
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NCSO Welcomes New Comfort Dog K9 Officer
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Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott Doubles Investment in Youth Leadership Academy by Expanding to Franklin
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Norfolk County Sheriff Appoints Danielle Frane as New Superintendent
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Norfolk County Sheriff McDermott Appoints Chris Bell as Special Sheriff
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Norfolk County Sheriffs Office Graduates First Class of Female Justice-Involved Individuals from Program with New England Wildlife
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Norfolk County Sheriffs Office Intercepts $14K Worth of Suboxone in Attempted Smuggling
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Awarded $25K Grant for Substance Abuse Treatment Program
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Updates “Coffee with the Sheriff” Dates, Locations
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Sheriff Patrick McDermott Announces New “Coffee with the Sheriff” Series
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Norfolk County Sheriff's Office Swears In New Class of Corrections Officers, Promotes Captains and Lieutenants
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Norfolk County Sheriff's Office to Host Holiday Happenings
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Awarded Accreditation from National Commission on Correctional Health Care
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Norfolk County Sheriffs Office Recognizes John King as Norfolk County Hero
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Sheriff Patrick McDermott Participates in Roundtable on Probation and Parole Practices with Robert Kraft and REFORM Alliance Group
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Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott Named to Body Camera Taskforce
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Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott Selected for National Inaugural Jail Administration Course
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Recognizes Cohasset Eagle Scout Eric Hense as Norfolk County Hero
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office to Host Back-to-School Family Movie Night
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NCSO Recognizes Tyler Forgeron as Norfolk County Hero
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NCSO Receives Grant to Help Break Down Language Barriers for Victims
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Recognizes Nate Galante as Norfolk County Hero
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Youth Leadership Academy Expands to Franklin
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NCSO Hosts Blood Drive in Honors of The Mighty Quinn
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Recognizes Cynthia Lewis as Norfolk County Hero
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office to Host Blood Drive in Honor of “The Mighty Quinn”
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Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Awarded Competitive Perkins Grant to Develop Workforce Training Program
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health Awards Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office $700K Grant to Expand Opioid Treatment Program
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Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott Launches “Norfolk County Heroes” Initiative
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Sheriff McDermott Praises “Are You OK” Program for Recent Saves of Two Norfolk County Residents
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Patrick McDermott Sworn In as Norfolk County Sheriff
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