News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2025

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION TAKES TOP NATIONAL HONORS

Correction Officer Santos Barbosa, Jr. to be presented with the American Jail Association’s 2025 Correctional Officer of the Year Award and Pastor Tim Johnson to receive the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award

Both will be Honored at the American Jail Association’s 44^th Conference and Jail Expo in Fort Worth, Texas on May 20^th

East Elmhurst, NY — The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is proud to announce that the American Jail Association (AJA) will present 18-year DOC veteran Santos Barbosa, Jr. with the 2025 Correctional Officer of the Year and Pastor Tim Johnson with the 2025 Volunteer of the Year awards.

“The NYC Department of Correction is full of heroes who dedicate their time, talents and bravery to the agency, and it is so special to have two of our Boldest recognized,” said NYC Department of Correction Commissioner, Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. “Officer Barbosa and Pastor Tim have both gone above and beyond to save lives and give people the tools to reach brighter futures. We are grateful to the American Jail Association for this honor and so proud of Officer Barbosa and Pastor Tim.”

Last September, Barbosa, a former EMT, saved the life of a one-year-old child who began choking on a potato chip while exiting a visit area with his mom. Barbosa’s quick thinking and calm demeanor allowed him to provide life-saving care to the infant who was beginning to turn blue due to lack of oxygen. After performing chest compressions and finger sweeps, the chip was dislodged, and the baby began to breathe again.

“I am very honored to receive this award but it’s not just for me,” said Officer Barbosa. “This was a team effort, and I am so thankful for the people I work with and for correction officers around the country who don’t always get the recognition we deserve.”

Pastor Tim Johnson has also been awarded the AJA’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year award for his work with the emergent adult population on Rikers Island. Johnson, an NFL Super Bowl Champion, is now Senior Pastor of the Orlando World Outreach Church, an accomplished author, and founder of the Fatherless No More Initiative and Institute.

“In no way was I expecting this award because it’s my honor to be able to serve the young adult population on Rikers Island,” said Pastor Johnson. “I will humbly accept this award on behalf of Commissioner Maginley-Liddie, DOC Leadership and Officers Cummings and White for allowing me to be a part of the Boldest Team.”

The Fatherless No More Initiative was created in 2022 and supports young men housed at the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island. The faith-based initiative instills a sense of accountability, responsibility and spirituality.

WHO: NYC Department of Correction and American Jail Association

WHERE: American Jail Association’s 44^th Conference and Awards Gala, Fort Worth, Texas

WHEN: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

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The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.

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The American Jail Association was incorporated in 1981 through the merger of the National Jail Association (AJA) and the National Jail Managers’ Association. That same year, AJA held its first Annual Training Conference & Jail Expo in Concord, California with 50 attendees and 6 exhibitors. Today, AJA’s Conference & Jail Expo brings together more than 2,200 jail practitioners from across the country to train, network, and meet on issues facing our Nation’s jails. The Conference features a Jail Expo that offers numerous opportunities for attendees to view and learn from hundreds of vendors who provide products and services needed to run their jails.