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Many detention officers start their careers using detention as the first “stepping stone” to becoming law enforcement officers. Some have never considered that being an officer in a detention center is also a law enforcement profession. The work being done within these walls is often misunderstood: in a detention center, there is a second community with very specific and special needs that no outside community shares. Detention officers must adapt to a very complex, ever-changing and sometimes dangerous environment. We must begin our days with a heightened awareness of our workplace with its routine activities that do not exist in other professions.

In 2020, the City of North Las Vegas reopened their corrections facility with a new mission—to make a real difference in the lives of inmates. The goal of reducing recidivism can seem unobtainable or far-fetched, but when Jurea Williams was hired as the Community Services Specialist, she understood the tall task in front of her and was ready to make it happen. She began developing a program that didn’t just keep the inmate population occupied but also made a noticeable difference in recidivism.

  The Kansas Jail Training Academy (KJTA) continues to operate successfully for basic training for corrections officers, however, many agencies have expressed the need to offer corresponding legal-based training specifically designed for supervisors. With input from the KSA Jail Committee, the National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) has designed a curriculum in 8 core supervisory areas. Attendees are encouraged to…