Welcome to National Institute for Jail Operations

Legal-Based Resources for Agencies and Professionals serving in the Corrections Field

The National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) is dedicated to serving those who operate jails, detention and correctional facilities across the country. NIJO recognizes and understands the enormous liability and increasing litigation facing administrators. We provide a compilation of legal-based resources and information to assist agencies in making facilities safer and more secure, helping you proactively defend against frivolous litigation to protect against adverse publicity and liability.

Our Services

Professional Certification

NIJO Professional Certification is a professional designation – earned not issued – for jail and detention officers, supervisors, administrators and sheriffs who have demonstrated to possess the requisite understanding, knowledge, skills, experience and abilities to function to a specific level.

Legal-Based Training

By keeping pulse with the hottest issues facing our nation's jails, we focus on important training topics yet remain flexible to adapt training based upon the needs of requesting agencies/organizations. There are many resources available to assist with the implementation of specific training, the development and assistance of jail training...

Policy and Procedure

NIJO provides sheriffs and jail administrators with over 400 policies and procedures customized to your laws, state statutes, and individual operations.

Technical Assistance

Recognizing the need for legal technical assistance in the corrections field, NIJO offers a variety of services to assist agencies in successfully supporting the operations of the jail and defending against inmate-filed lawsuits.

Self Audit and Assessments

On a day-to-day basis corrections management faces an unpredictable, fluid, and potentially volatile environment. NIJO offers the most advanced web-based auditing tools designed specifically for corrections so that organizations can proactively manage their institutions affordably and with increased confidence.

Online Training

NIJO developed the Detention & Corrections Online Training Academy (DACOTA) to provide detention and correctional administrators, supervisors and line level officers with easy access to interactive and engaging legal-based online jail training.

NIJO Accreditation

NIJO National Accreditation is an established process to verify compliance to what courts have determined in operating constitutional facilities. The process relies on NIJO Legal-Based Jail Guidelines.

Legal-Based Jail Guidelines

NIJO's Legal-Based Jail Guidelines assist administrators in creating a safer, more secure environment while protecting against liability and adverse publicity. Comprised of over 600 guidelines to assist administrators with specific operational and policy driven areas including hot topics of use of force, religion, searches, and suicide.

JAILCON22 Central Regional Conference (Indianapolis, IN)
October 11 - October 13 at IN – Embassy Suites Plainfield Indianapolis Airport
Kansas Jail Training Academy (KJTA)
November 7-11, 2022
November 7 - November 11 at Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC)

Expert Blog

Legal Advisory Alert: Justice Catalyst Law (JCL)

June 23, 2022 BACKGROUND. An organization called Justice Catalyst ...
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NCO Week – Central Region Jail Tour

Heading section NATIONAL CORRECTIONS OFFICER WEEK CENTRAL REGION JAIL ...
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NCO Week – Arizona Jail Tour

Heading section NATIONAL CORRECTIONS OFFICER WEEK ARIZONA JAIL TOUR ...
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Kansas Supervisory Training

The Kansas Jail Training Academy (KJTA) continues to operate successfully ...
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Why We Need to Defend Qualified Immunity in Jails

By Tate McCotter, Executive Director National Institute for Jail ...
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SHUT THE FRONT DOOR: Using Common Sense to COVID-19 During Uncommon Times

By Tate McCotter, Executive Director National Institute for Jail ...
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Featured Spotlight

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Legal Advisory Alert from WSSA and NIJO

In partnership with the Western States Sheriffs’ Association (WSSA), the National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) began researching an organization called Justice Catalyst Law (JCL), who sent a letter via certified mail to detention facilities across the country. NIJO and WSSA are analyzing JCL's intentions, letter contents and distribution patterns, and is analyzing potential outcomes which might affect the operations, policy and potential litigation liability exposure for corrections agencies across the country. Read alert here.

Legal-Based Corrections Training in 3 Great Locations

Register Now for JAILCON22 !

NIJO is excited to announce that in 2022, due to continued growth and demand for legal-based corrections training, JAILCON22 will be offered in 3 convenient locations. As always, JAILCON offers over 20 hours of corrections-specifc training for sheriffs, correctional & jail administrators, line level, support and medical staff. Learn more and register here.

Two Free Life Skill Online Courses

The series of Truth About Drugs courses have been designed so anyone can learn the truth about drugs. The Way to Happiness free online course points the way to a better, happier and more fulfilling life for the individual and those around him. For more information contact Sandra Lucas at email or call 801-577-1251.