Governor names interim sheriff for Franklin County

LORI STREETER

LORI STREETER

By DOMENIC POLI

Staff Writer

Published: 01-29-2025 4:19 PM

GREENFIELD — Lori Streeter, the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction’s superintendent and special sheriff since 2014, has been chosen to serve as retiring Sheriff Christopher Donelan’s interim replacement starting at the beginning of February.

“Superintendent Lori Streeter is a widely respected leader who has dedicated her career to serving the people of Franklin County,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement Tuesday announcing Streeter’s appointment. “She knows the Sheriff’s Office and House of Correction inside and out, and she has spent years getting to know staff and inmates and earning their trust. She has also prioritized mental health and substance use treatment and re-entry programs, which enhance public health and public safety. I’m proud to appoint her as interim sheriff and know she is an excellent choice to fill the shoes of Sheriff Donelan.”

Streeter has worked at the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction in Greenfield since 1985, working her way up from correctional officer to both superintendent and special sheriff. According to Donelan, the superintendent runs the 320-bed facility’s day-to-day operations and a special sheriff serves if the sheriff is out of the state.

“I have had the extraordinary opportunity to work alongside Sheriff Donelan as we have been at the forefront of efforts to prioritize mental health and substance use disorder treatment with a locked setting,” Streeter said in a statement. “It is an immense privilege to continue this mission set forth by Sheriff Donelan. My years of service have given me a unique perspective and strong knowledge base to manage the agency and the ever-changing needs of the community, our staff and the people we serve.”

Streeter has reportedly prioritized treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. She also supported the establishment of Franklin County’s Community Justice Support Center in conjunction with the state Office of Community Corrections. This includes Franklin County’s Pre-Release and Post-Release Re-Entry programs.

Streeter, a Greenfield resident, serves as chair of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Women in Criminal Justice Conference and was previously chair of the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association’s Education and Training Committee. She graduated from Westfield State College with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and an associate degree in social work.

Donelan, upon announcing his retirement after 14 years as sheriff and 37 years of public service, said Healey would appoint an interim replacement to serve until the 2026 election. Then, whoever wins that contest will serve for two years and can determine if they wish to run again in 2028, which will begin a new six-year term.

Donelan, who retires at the end of the month, said he feels the governor made a terrific choice by selecting Streeter.

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“She’s been acting sheriff many times over the years when I’ve been away,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “Clearly the governor wanted a professional pick, and she is that.”

Donelan also said it should not be overlooked that Streeter rose through the facility’s ranks in a time when women were generally not accepted in that line of work.

“And she struggled through a male-dominated culture and emerged at the top,” he said.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.