DA Hayden Announces Community Engagement/Strategic Partnerships Unit
New reentry and intervention initiatives will be led by True-See Allah and Rev. Wayne Daley
BOSTON, June 6, 2022—As part of his commitment to serving the communities of Suffolk County, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced the creation of his Community Engagement/Strategic Partnerships Unit, staffed by two well respected and experienced community advocates.
The new unit will be led by Director of Community Engagement/Strategic Partnerships True-See Allah and Community Engagement/Strategic Partnerships Deputy Director Rev. Wayne Daley.
“In order to succeed in our system reform and public safety goals, we must focus not only on diversion and prosecution – which this office performs superbly – but also on intervention, prevention strategies and programming for returning citizens. True-See and Wayne bring unparalleled experience in these areas,” Hayden said. “They will guide my office’s engagement initiatives and partnerships, and coordinate with staff working to provide services and resources to victims, survivors, witnesses and the entire community – including those who have been charged with and convicted of a crime. I’m grateful to have them join this office.”
Allah most recently served as Director of Reentry at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Prior to that role, he was the Director of Outreach and Reentry for UTEC Inc. and served as Assistant Deputy Superintendent at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Probation and The Lionheart Foundation, as well as a member of The Roxbury Strategic Master Plan Oversight Committee. Allah has frequently spoken to statewide and national audiences regarding re-entry and other topics.
As part of his new role, Allah will oversee initiatives focused on growth of relationships with external partners, including academic researchers.
Daley previously served in a number of roles at the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, including Intergenerational Justice Program Coordinator, Technical Training and Assistance Coordinator and as an instructor for the Peace from Within program that the organization operated at the Plymouth County House of Corrections. He has also served as Boston Reentry Coordinator and Community Relations Director for the Boston Ten Point Coalition and partnered with numerous government and community-based programs. Daley is currently associate minister at St. Paul AME Church and a part-time Chaplain for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu earlier this year appointed him to serve on the Civilian Review Board to increase police accountability in the city.
Upon becoming District Attorney this year, Hayden set the reduction of illegal firearms and the expansion of community outreach as his two top priorities. Hayden has announced several firearm initiatives, including the Firearm Rapid Indictment Program and Boston FIRST, a multi-agency program focused on tracking and disrupting gun trafficking. With the formation of his Community Engagement Unit, Hayden has prioritized efforts focused on prevention, intervention and reentry services. These new initiatives focus on engaging youth and adults who are at risk or have involvement in the criminal legal system, ensuring that there are pathways forward for all community members.
“Bringing True-See and Wayne on board is a giant step in expanding our community outreach. They bring a depth of personal and professional experience to their new roles. They are beloved in Suffolk County’s communities, and they love these communities right back. I’m excited to have them lead my office’s outreach efforts,” Hayden said.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal legal system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.