Work ethic, mentoring skill results in York County Jail captain promotion for Colton Sweeney

ALFRED, Maine –  When Colton Sweeney was looking for work back in the early 2000s, what he found at York County Jail was stability, and a tight-knit work family.

Now Sweeney, 48, who began his career at the county jail in Alfred as a reserve correctional officer in 2002, became fulltime in 2003, and has worked his way through the ranks, is now a captain.

He was promoted to the captain’s rank by a unanimous vote of York County Commissioners on Oct. 1 and began his new gig Oct. 5.

In a chat four days into his promotion, Sweeney said he is enjoying his new role. The list of responsibilities for a corrections captain is lengthy and includes, among an array of other duties, tasks such as maintaining staffing plans to assure security; making sure those  incarcerated appear at court – either in video appearances from the jail or in person at York Judicial Center in Biddeford; maintaining staff job results by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; conducting staff performance appraisals; undertaking unannounced tours and inspections of all resident and employee areas, and more.

Sweeney, who grew up in Springvale and graduated from Sanford High School, served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. He is a graduate of Daniel Webster College, where he earned a degree in aircraft operations – but after the terrorist attacks on Sept 11, 2001, he learned that many engaged in the industry were losing their jobs, exactly at the time he was looking for one.

“I needed a place to work,” he said,  so when his brother mentioned that he’d been told there were openings at York County Jail, Sweeney applied, got the job, and found he liked it. One component of what has kept him there, he said, is the stability – there is always a need for correctional officers to keep tabs on those who are incarcerated.

His earliest years at the jail coincided with a period of time where there wasn’t much movement in job assignments – and his goal was to advance. He knew he’d have to invest time into moving forward, and he did, working shifts and overtime throughout his career.

“Every day was different,” he said. “It was challenging at times.”

One of Sweeney’s responsibilities as a correctional officer in an earlier period in his career was that of supervising the Community Works initiative that sees trusty inmates perform community service jobs. Some such projects included reclaiming wildly overgrown cemeteries where veterans were buried in some of York County’s more rural communities, applying fresh paint to a community building operated by a nonprofit, and helping set up for an annual festival in a York County community.

Over the years, more opportunities became available and so there were other assignments, including in areas of the jail like intake, where arrestees are brought into the facility, and processed through the system.

“Intake is an area that requires a certain expertise,” said York County Sheriff William L. King. “Oftentimes, those arrested are being brought to jail for the very first time. They are frightened, and communication is vital to explain the sometimes complicated process to them.”

York County Jail Administrator Lori Marks told commissioners she was honored to present Sweeney’s  name for promotion. She noted his supervision of the Community Works program when she became a correctional officer at the jail in 2007. “Since that time I have seen Colton advance through the ranks,” she said, noting his position as intake supervisor just prior to his promotion to captain. “Colton’s attention to detail, patience, and dedication are unrivaled.”

She said he had been helpful during her own transition to Jail Administrator a year ago. “His support, hard work and cooperation are commendable,” Marks said. “I believe he will be an amazing addition to the leadership team at the jail.”

King pointed out that Sweeney has worked in every capacity at the jail.

“He has been recognized for his work ethic and dedication to the profession, both inside and outside of the county,” said King. He noted Sweeney was named the 2024 Correctional Officer of the Year by the Maine Sheriff’s Association, and internally, was selected winner of the Mat Baker Award that recognizes an individual espousing the values of the late York County Chief Deputy. “Captain Sweeney is a tireless worker and a mentor who will fill a needed void in the York County Jail management.”

For his part, Sweeney said he is beginning to get used to working a job that does not require shifts, and he still awakens early because he used to work overtime hours before his shift actually began – and at times after it was supposed to conclude. In fact, on day 4, he was still reporting for work early.

At home, Sweeney and his 12 year old son keep tabs on their animal menagerie – two cats, a couple of snakes, some leopard geckos, a Russian tortoise, and assorted other creatures.

At work, he spoke of the ties that bind correctional officers together.

“It’s the brotherhood of fellow officers. You become a family – you have to,” he said. “That’s why I stayed.”

And now, he’s a captain in the York County Jail family.

Colton Sweeney was recently promoted to Captain at York County Jail.