Officer Aida Ouillette

(Massachusetts)

 

ACO National Director for

Female Correctional Officers

         It is truly an honor and a privilege to be selected to the National Directors Seat Representing Female Correction Officers.

          Starting my career in the law enforcement field in 1977, I faced a number of challenges and adversities as most of us do. However my commitment to the corrections field was and is today my passion to work together with my brother and sister correction officers.

          The ACO has created the position of the Female Correction Officer Representative in order to recognize the concerns, issues, and situations that exist in our profession today and begin dialogue to address them.

    As the daughter of Portuguese and Spanish immigrants who barely spoke the English language I was taught early on that in America, if you try hard enough, you can make a difference. I was born the eldest of two children, in New York City. My parents, both union members, worked very hard to support our family in that difficult era. My brother and I were not only taught the languages, but also if you had a dream, and if you worked hard enough those dreams would come true. If you could make it in New York, you could make it anywhere.

    Living in a Catholic community opened the door for spiritual and family oriented skills, which molded me for what was to be my future. After attending Grammar School and Catholic High School I set out to find my nitch in life. I went to Indianapolis, Indiana in hopes of achieving a degree in nursing at Marion County General Hospital. Somehow the curriculum and the distance from my family brought me back to New York. I attended another nursing school closer to home and was quickly disillusioned.

    I got married, continued working in various jobs. I became the mother of two beautiful children, Dawn and Steven, moved to Massachusetts and took the exam and in 1977 started working for the New Bedford Police Department. I finally found my calling in life. I loved it. Law Enforcement did it for me. I could show compassion by being myself and cultivate care and concern. My trilingual ability was an asset to the Department and the Community and it was great.

    The unexpected happened, and I found myself raising two children as a single parent. The Corrections Department was hiring Correction Officers and the salary was higher, so naturally I applied for the position. I took the risk, completed the academy and once again pushed on. My career in corrections took off.

            Although being a female in the male dominated work environment was a very difficult transition as it still is today, I was able to put my children through school and took care of my parents until they passed on. I became a Special Operations Team Officer, Assistant Squad Leader and finally Deputy Sheriff. My passion for my work and my Corrections Family was in full swing.

    I met my husband Gary Ouillette, a retired corrections officer and we have made a dream a reality. We truly believe that our brother and sister correction officers and their family members needed someone who felt their everyday stresses and would be available for them, not in judgment, but in sincere dedication, care and concern and to help them deal with their situations. The end result is taking care of each other. This passion for helping our brother and sister correction officers and their families comes from the depths of our souls as only one correction officer to another correction officer would know, as they would not have to suffer in silence because no one understands them.

    Once again the family picture is complete. Another door has opened; as we have developed a program called RESPOND a Corrections Assistance Program which is available 24/7 to any corrections or family member that may be experiencing difficulties. Should the situation arise we have also developed an alcohol and substance abuse treatment program in Palm Beach Fl. for our brothers and sisters and families.

    A thirty year career has brought me to this point. Being selected as the National Director Representing Female Correction Officers for the American Correction Officer is the culmination of years of service to me profession and my fellow Officers . It is an honor and a privilege to serve in this position with a great organization that truly cares about our lives and safety. Please feel free to contact me at any time as your Female Correction Officer Representative; I am here to be your voice. God Bless and Stay Safe      Sincerely, Aida  Ouillette 508-844-1800 COAIDAACO@AOL.COM