NORTHAMPTON — Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane officially started his second, six-year term on Wednesday after being sworn in during a ceremony in the old courtroom at the Hampshire County Superior Court.

Cahillane’s election in November marked the culmination of a race he entered last March to remain in charge of the sheriff’s department and the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction at 205 Rocky Hill Road.

First elected in 2016, Cahillane earned the Democratic nomination in a three-way race in the state primary in September, prevailing over two challengers who had spent several years working in his administration.

On Election Day, he turned back a challenge from one of them, Yvonne Gittelson, formerly the education coordinator at the county jail, who ran a write-in campaign in the general election.

Shortly after the election, Cahillane said his goals are to continue and expand several social service programs offered to pretrial detainees and inmates, and restore volunteer positions that were lost due to public health restrictions.

After his primary win, Cahillane gave credit to the staff for the quiet work it does in terms of both outreach to the community and offering wraparound services to inmates.

Cahillane has worked at the jail for 35 years, holding positions from correctional officer to deputy superintendent and special sheriff. He earned a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England University in Springfield.

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