Jail Shines Blue To Spotlight Human Trafficking On LI

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead will be illuminated in blue throughout the month of January to raise awareness about human trafficking, Sherriff Errol Toulon said.

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which coincides with the Department of Homeland Security’s annual “Blue Campaign," a national public awareness effort to educate the public about human trafficking, he said.

“Human trafficking is happening in Suffolk County and in communities across the country. Most often these victims are women who are vulnerable due to a substance abuse issue and they may have had several traumatic experiences throughout their lives," he said.

Also, it’s not uncommon for youth in the foster care system to fall victim to traffickers, but men and women from all backgrounds can become victims, he said.

In addition, Toulon said that this month, he has once again kicked off the inmate emergency mask assembly program. County inmates have dyed, cut, sewn, and strung more than 2,000 blue masks to have available for January.

The masks were recently distributed to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, the Empowerment Coalition of Long Island, Safe Harbor Mentoring, the Suffolk County Police Department's human trafficking investigations unit, Axis Church, Suffolk County probation and other groups, he said.

The blue masks are available at all public entrances at the Riverhead and Yaphank facilities, while supplies last. Sheriff’s Office staff, including those involved in the anti-trafficking initiative unit, will also be wearing the blue masks in January to increase awareness, Toulon said.

Toulin created the anti-trafficking initiative unit in 2018, the first of its kind in the country operating from inside a correctional facility, he said. His goal has been to ensure that all victims of human trafficking in the Suffolk County Correctional Facility are identified and have access to the services they need to recover.

Programs include the Sheriff's Transition and Re-Entry Team's resource center, located on the grounds of the Yaphank jail.

Services are also offered through many non-profit providers that have partnered with the Sheriff’s Office, Toulon said. Since the program's inception,176 human trafficking victims and 120 perpetrators have been identified; criminal investigations against the traffickers are coordinated with local, state, and federal partners working with the Suffolk County Anti-Trafficking Initiative, he said.