Grace, Music, and Second Chances at York County Jail
William L. King, Jr., CJM
The York County Sheriff’s Office believes in leveraging outside resources within the community to provide more support for our corrections residents. We also place a high value on recovery and second chances. We have a former corrections resident who is in recovery and doing well, working in our kitchen. We allow those in recovery to participate, along with others, in Bible study and providing spiritual guidance. Sometimes, those second chances produce dividends for those who are receptive to thinking outside of the box.
Joshua Cormier had a troubled childhood and turned to drugs early in life. He offended and did various stints in county jails awaiting his federal sentence. Joshua turned his life’s work to helping others and is now associated with the Calvary Chapel Church in southern Maine.
Through recovery associations, he met our Substance Use Counselor, Diana Miles. Ms. Miles recommended that Josh be allowed to come to the York County Jail to conduct a Bible study. Her recommendation was heeded by Jail Administrator Nathan Thayer who reasoned that the incarcerated population would readily identify with a former inmate. Also, an individual who is recovering from a substance use disorder that became justice-connected is reflective of most of our jail population. Josh has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to “give back” to the incarcerated population.
Bruce Ames
Those in recovery oftentimes are connected—after all, they are battling a common but powerful foe–addiction. Josh told his stepfather, Bruce Ames, about his work at the York County Jail. Bruce, retired from a career working with troubled kids at a residential treatment center, is actively involved with a Christian rock band. As Bruce explains, he was unfulfilled in his vocation and sought out a vocation, a music ministry, to feel complete. As he puts it, “Ministry is the real purpose of music!”
Notbyworks Band
About 25 years ago, Bruce met Bob Seccareccia when they both played for another gospel band. When that band disbanded (try saying that three times fast) they vowed not to stop their calling—to minister to those in prisons and jails. This led to the formation of the Notbyworks Band. This is truly a Mutt and Jeff team; Bruce is around 5’6” and thin while Bob weighs over 300 pounds that he carries well in his 6’5” frame! Their love of music ministry and their careers, both working with troubled kids, formed an instant bond. While Josh shared his news about bringing a ministry to the York County Jail, his stepdad reminded him of his activities with the Notbyworks Band.
Sgt. Oghenetega Onoshirie
Bob the Football Player
I could not help but ask Bob, the lead singer, how he became a rock star. Bob willingly shared his story: Born in Rhode Island, raised Catholic, and played football in high school where he was named “Honorable Mention” for the coveted All-American distinction, playing both offense and defense. He wrote his first song at 16 years old. Admittedly, he had a storied childhood, growing up with divorced parents and getting into mischief with his older brother, now deceased.
A coach at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, R.I. took a special interest in Bob, and he is the first to say that the coach “saved” him. He got a full scholarship to play at Syracuse but being an “Orangemen” did not suit him–he transferred home to the University of Rhode Island in his third year.
In 1984, he was drafted by the USFL but did not go—instead, he tried out for the New England Patriots as a free agent. He played during the pre-season but was cut when that was over. He went to the Houston Gamblers in 1985 and was similarly cut from them.
Around this time, he underwent another surgery (he has had 17 in the last 20 years) and lost his 29-year-old brother to a drug overdose.
Wanting to stay in the game, Seccareccia gravitated to coaching and moved to Maine to accept a position at the Mountain View Youth Detention Center, a state facility where youthful offenders are sent after sentencing. He taught physical education and coached football. He went on to Dexter High School where he continued to coach and teach special education. Seccareccia retired from coaching in 2022 after 39 years and now devotes much more time to his band, playing at churches and correctional facilities.
Bob and his spouse raised four boys who now range in age from 24 to 36. They are all highly successful, play football at various levels, and, according to Bob, give back in their own special way.
The Name?
Bob shared the story of how the band acquired such an unusual name. The name of the band was not a priority in the beginning, rather, getting like-minded members together was a priority. Bob prayed for some inspiration and during a church service, a friend turned to him and said, “Your band should be called Notbyworks.” His friend was referencing the New International Version of the Bible, Ephesians 2, 1-10:
Made Alive in Christ
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—
it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
When Bob presented the name and the background of the words to Bruce, he said it was clear that the name fits the mission of their music ministry.
Fast Forward
Fast forwarding to today, Josh saw an opportunity and sought permission to have his stepdad’s band play at the jail. Notbyworks first visited the York County Jail in late 2022. I heard about this great band that played, so I was sure to be present when they returned on Oct. 7. Wow, what a performance! We have had many performers come to the jail before and they are alright. I am not Simon Cowell, but this band could play at any venue.
Even in a barren gym with no acoustics, on a damp fall day, Bob, Bruce, and Lori belted out tunes that energized the group. Each song was prefaced with a scripture reading then the group would sing an original song that solidified the spiritual message. The energy was contagious, with many residents joining in by clapping and nodding their heads to the beats.
The Notbyworks Band has played at numerous county jails in Maine as well as just about all of Maine’s State facilities. They also performed at prisons in New Jersey and Rhode Island. Bruce and Bob attribute the band’s success to its current members, many of whom have been with the band a long time:
Mike Davis—bass player (20 years.)
Mark Savard—drums (15 years)
Bill Whittiker—piano (10 years)
Eric Clark—electric rhythm guitar (5 years)
Lori Downes—vocal (1 year)
Tim Theriault—sound technician (4 years)
Lori Varney—assistant sound technician (1 year)
The Notbyworks is one of those gems you may not recognize when you first encounter them. But they, and probably others like them, stand ready to assist corrections professionals, as long as they are open to the idea.
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William L. King, Jr., CJM has been the sheriff of York County since 2014. He has authored numerous articles on a host of topics that have been published in national as well as regional professional publications. Sheriff King holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Maine, and an M.S. in Management from Troy State University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the National Sheriff’s Institute and holds a CJM Certificate. For more information, he can be contacted at wlking@yorkcountymaine.gov