Welcome to National Institute for Jail Operations

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 has partnered with DeLand & Associates to provide 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.

Kansas Jail Training Academy (KJTA) – August 10-14, 2020
August 10 - August 14 at Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC)
JAILCON20 South–Transitioned to JAILCON 20/20 SPECIAL EDITION Virtual Conference
August 18 - August 20 at JAILCON 20/20 Special Edition – Virtual Conference
Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council (AJAC) 3rd Qtr Training Session
August 18 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am at NIJO Webinar
NEW DATES: Michigan Jail Command Staff Academy: Session #1
September 1 @ 8:00 am - September 3 @ 5:00 pm at Henry Center for Executive Development
ACCA Alabama Jail Training Academy: Inmate Management
September 2 - September 3 at Montgomery Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill

Expert Blog

Litigation Alert: The Coronavirus (COVID-19), Prisons, and the 8th Amendment

Prison officials and correctional healthcare providers are doing their ...
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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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Changing for the Better by Understanding Where We Are Now: Salt Lake County Jail Dashboard

Years of data, and months of development in the ...
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Crisis and Conflict: Federal vs. State and Local Law Enforcement

by Stan Ellsworth I believe The Constitution to be ...
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Striving for Perfection

By Michael Feeback There is one word that has ...
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Involuntary Administration of Anti-Psychotic Medication in Jails

Involuntary Administration of Anti-Psychotic Medication in Jails By Expert: ...
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Popular This week

Georgia Inmates Help Save Prison Guard During Heart Attack

GWINNETT CO, GA — Three Georgia inmates helped save a...

Ohio County Jail Sued by Guard, Ex-Wife of Dead Inmate

CLEVELAND, OH — Two lawsuits have been filed in federal...

Coronavirus Pandemic Sidelines California’s Inmate Firefighters

CALIFORNIA — Last fall, Jason Dixon fought wildfires. "Close enough to...

Inmate’s Bail Was Reduced to $0 Amid Coronavirus. Now He’s Accused of Robbing Armored Car and Escaping Jail

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Efforts to reduce the spread of...

Georgia Inmates Help Save Prison Guard During Heart Attack

GWINNETT CO, GA — Three Georgia inmates helped save a ...
Read More

Ohio County Jail Sued by Guard, Ex-Wife of Dead Inmate

CLEVELAND, OH — Two lawsuits have been filed in federal ...
Read More

Coronavirus Pandemic Sidelines California’s Inmate Firefighters

CALIFORNIA — Last fall, Jason Dixon fought wildfires. "Close enough to ...
Read More

Inmate’s Bail Was Reduced to $0 Amid Coronavirus. Now He’s Accused of Robbing Armored Car and Escaping Jail

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Efforts to reduce the spread of ...
Read More

Featured Spotlight

DON'T LOSE HOPE! WE CAN WIN!

Don't lose hope! We are seeing some victories amidst the demands by civil/inmate rights activist groups during these COVID-19 struggles. Read more under "GOOD NEWS" in our COVID-19 Information and Updates page by clicking here.

LEGAL-BASED TRAINING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Did you know NIJO legal-based training is available right at your fingertips? DACOTA provides corrections professionals with the most interactive and engaging online training available. With over 40 courses and 4-5 NEW courses being added every month, you can find the training you and your agency need today! Get a FREE demo by clicking here.

REGISTRATION OPEN for JAILCON 20/20!

Since COVID-19 and travel bans are preventing you from coming to JAILCON, we are bringing JAILCON to you! Don't miss this opportunity for over 30 hours of legal-based corrections training direct to your entire agency! Learn more here!