The Aleph Institute, a national nonprofit advocating on behalf of Jewish inmates and military personnel, recently honored Warden William Zerillo of The GEO Group’s Queens Detention Facility with the National Warden of the Year Award.
This is the first time The Aleph Institute granted The National Warden of the Year Award to a warden in the private sector. The award is only given when a Warden has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to The Aleph Institute’s mission — to ensure that inmates stay connected to their families, communities and Jewish heritage.
“Religious rights are one of the most basic rights of our society,” said Rabbi Menachem Katz, Director of Prison and Military Outreach, The Aleph Institute, who presented the award alongside Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, Executive Director, The Aleph Institute.
“Warden Zerillo has gone above and beyond what is required to ensure the religious rights of inmates and has instituted religious programs that had never been in place in any jail in the New York area. He is a true mensch,” Rabbi Katz said.
Kenny Cauley, Eastern Region Director of Operations for the of The GEO Group stated, “Congratulations Warden Zerillo. Thank you to the Aleph Institute for recognizing the hard work of the Queens Detention Facility employees, and thank you to the U.S. Marshal Charles Dunne and Chief Deputy Bryan Mule of the Eastern District of New York for their continued support.”
The event was hosted at the U.S. Marshal Service offices in the Eastern District of New York on Friday, March 13, 2015, by U.S. Marshal Charles Dunne who noted that the Queens Facility always does an outstanding job and that he was pleased to be present at the awards ceremony.
In receiving the award, Warden Zerillo said, “This recognition from The Aleph Institute is a true honor. Supporting the dignity and rights of individuals is paramount in my position, and consistent with The GEO Group’s core values and dedication to offering high-level rehabilitation services to inmates and best preparing them for reintegration into society.”
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