Sheriff Quiroz with ACDF Volunteers
In a first-of-its-kind event, the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office recently held an inaugural luncheon honoring the many volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to support our mission of maintaining a safe, rehabilitative, and forward-thinking correctional environment. The event brought together volunteers and program leaders to celebrate the invaluable role each volunteer plays in fostering positive change within our facility.
Sheriff Jose Quiroz opened the luncheon by expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the attendees. “The work you do goes far beyond teaching skills or offering guidance; you provide hope and opportunity,” he said. “Our programs are effective because of your commitment to supporting our goals for a progressive and rehabilitative jail.”
The Arlington County Detention Facility has long been committed to providing inmates with meaningful rehabilitation opportunities. By offering a range of programs—including a Community Readiness Unit (CRU), General Education Degree (GED) preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, conflict resolution workshops, work certifications, religious services and numerous additional programs, the Sheriff's Office aims to equip inmates with the tools and skills necessary for successful reintegration.
Kristen Cane, Program Director, shared insights into the impact of these programs: “Each offering is designed to address a specific area of need, whether it’s helping an individual gain employment skills or promoting interpersonal growth through conflict resolution. We want our participants to have a solid foundation for their lives post-release, and we couldn't achieve this without our dedicated team of more than 75 volunteers.”
One inmate, Mr. Gonzalez, shared his personal experience of the programs and the difference they’ve made in his life. “The tutors from Georgetown University helped me with math and encouraged me to pursue my GED,” he said. “Their belief in me made me want to believe in myself. Now, I’m not just looking at the end of my sentence—I’m looking at a future.” There was a board with personal notes from inmates for the volunteers to see. One note included a quote from Helen Keller “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” The gratitude board speaks to the profound effect the volunteers have on our jail population.
The volunteers provide essential support for the program offerings, working one-on-one with inmates as tutors, mentors, and facilitators. Sheriff Quiroz highlighted the dedication of these volunteers, noting, “The support of our volunteers is transformative for our facility. They don’t just teach—they inspire, guide, and offer hope with more than 1,500 combined hours of time throughout the year.”
Cane echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that volunteers are “the bridge to the outside world,” fostering real connections and opportunities for growth that create a lasting impact on everyone’s journey.
About Arlington County Sheriff’s Office
The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) is a Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency located in Northern Virginia. The ACSO has approximately 280 employees, both deputy sheriffs and civilian staff, who serve a population of 240,900 county residents. Arlington Deputy Sheriffs perform duties in corrections, inmate transportation, civil process service, and courtroom/courthouse security.