Pittsfield Man Sentenced For Assault

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, Feb. 27 Raphael Ellison, 68 years old, was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Callahan on five counts stemming from an incident on Nov. 11, 2020 at a residence on Linden Street.
 
On the evening of the incident, Ellison attacked and then threatened an individual he used to have a romantic relationship.  
 
Ellison was in the process of moving out of the apartment he shared with the victim when he first assaulted her. A neighbor called the police who then removed Ellison from the apartment. Later in the evening Mr. Ellison returned to the apartment, forced his way in and again physically abused the victim and threatened both the victim and her family if she were to attempt to leave.
 
Sentencing: Count 1, Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury sentenced to 5-7.5 years; Count 2, Assault and Battery Serious Bodily Injury, sentenced to 4-5 years; Count 3, Strangulation or Suffocation, sentenced to 4-5 years; Count 4, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, sentenced to 4-5 years; Count 5, Kidnapping with Serious Bodily Injury, Armed, sentenced to 5-7.5 years. 
 
The sentencing reflected the Commonwealth's sentencing recommendations.
 
Pittsfield Police Officers Gariepy and Tracy (who now works for the Lanesborough Police Department) were the responding officers. Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth. Jane Kibby-Pierce, Director of the Victim Witness Advocates, served as the advocate for the victim. 

Tags: assaults,   district attorney,   

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Second Streets Second Chances Awarded $85K for Workforce Re-Entry Program

By Brittany Polito

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local program for formerly incarcerated citizens seeking a technical career received $85,000 from the state.  

On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $2.25 million in Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants to 12 organizations that will provide job training, career support, and employment opportunities to 445 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities.

Second Street Second Chances was allocated $84,712 to partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 12 returning citizens with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry.  

The funds will be used to put 12 returning citizens through a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in manufacturing and welding roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Hi-Tech Mold and Tool.

The program was one of 12 awardees, a majority on the eastern side of the state; Greenfield also saw funding.

"When people return to their communities, they should have a real opportunity to get a good job, support their families and build a stable future," said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release. 

"These grants connect people with the training and experience they need to succeed and with employers that are ready to hire."

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said successful reentry means making sure people have the tools and opportunities to move forward, and these programs bring together community organizations, public safety partners, and employers to connect people directly with training and jobs. 

Launched in 2022, Second Street Second Chances' mission is to provide a central point of access for medical and mental health, housing, job training, legal services, and more for a successful reentry into the community. 

Early this year, the nonprofit saw an $89,000 grant from the program.  Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell at the time said this funding allowed 2nd Street to expand its mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities and a pathway toward sustainable employment. 

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