The National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) proudly reports the success of the JAILCON23 Central Regional Conference at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, IN, October 24-26th, the 2nd annual corrections training conference for the Central Region.
The conference hosted corrections professionals from several states, including: Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.
DAY 1 - October 24, 2023
The Opening Session kicked off our conference, beginning with a beautiful performance of the National Anthem by retired Indiana State Trooper, Kirby Staley. Following the National Anthem, NIJO Executive Director Tate McCotter led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Welcome remarks were then given by Tate McCotter and Bill Wilson, Jail Services Coordinator of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association.
After the opening session, participants attended four 1.5 hour break-out training sessions with the option of five topics during every session. Training sessions were taught by top corrections experts from across the country, including: Glenn Ercanbrack (Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole (Ret.), Utah Department of Corrections); Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice Consulting); Johnny Knatt (JJK Workplace, LLC); Aaron Dawson (Ret. Warden, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, AL); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love Bojanowski & Acedo PLC); Rob Yantis (Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Joshua Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); Mike Haley, Ph.D. (Retired Chief Deputy of Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, LA); and Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ).Sessions throughout the conference were targeted for all levels of corrections, from sheriff and jail administrator to line level staff.
At the conclusion of the training sessions, attendees and vendors mingled together during the Welcome Reception, and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and lots of prize giveaways provided by our generous sponsors.
DAY 2 - October 25, 2023
The second day of JAILCON began in the Hoosier Ballroom as we gathered together to hear from our keynote speaker. Our keynote speaker this year was Jeff Benrud. Jeff Benrud Sergeant Major (Ret.) is a 25 year Army Special Operations Veteran. He has extensive combat experience, starting in 1989 when he conducted a combat parachute jump into Panama while assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Jeff was awarded 8 Bronze Stars (three of which were for valor), the Legion of Merit along with numerous other awards, including the Purple Heart. In addition to his honorable military career and service, Jeff also completed and won the legendary Baja 1000 Iron Man bike race.
Following Jeff’s remarks, he answered attendees questions in a Q&A. We want to express our gratitude to Jeff for attending JAILCON23 Central this year as our keynote speaker.
After the Keynote Session, attendees gathered together in the Exhibit Hall to visit with the 45 corrections-specific vendors in attendance. We’d like to express our deepest appreciation to all of our vendors, and especially our sponsors, for supporting JAILCON.
The afternoon was spent in two more 90 minute training sessions. Topics ranged from, “What You Do Matters: Lessons from the Holocaust,” “PANEL: Legal Issues & Updates,” “Generation Gaps,” “Pursuit of Leadership,” “The Garrity & Brady Effect in Corrections,” “Drive the Road to Leadership,” and “A Jail Officer’s Guide to Detox Protocol.” Training Sessions were taught by: Tim Tomczak (North District Commander Raleigh PD, NC), Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Tate McCotter, CJM (Executive Director, NIJO); Johnny Knatt (JJK Workplace, LLC); Rob Yantis (Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Mike Haley, Ph.D. (Retired Chief Deputy, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, LA); Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting, LLC); Mary Phillippi (President/CFO PDL Conndect Consulting, LLC); Aaron Dawson (Ret. Warden, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, AL); and Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ).
To conclude the day, attendees and vendors gathered outside at the French Lick Springs Upper Garden Terrace for our annual Corrections Appreciation Event. We had firepits and smores, cornhole, a cash bar, and a DJ. But the highlight of the evening was listening to our talented attendees, instructors, and NIJO staff show off their singing skills with karaoke! Thank you to all who participated in this fun event.
DAY 3 - October 26, 2023
The final day of the conference offered three 1.25 hour training sessions. Topics from our third day of training included, “Avoid Disaster: Effective Quality Control,” “Understanding Mental Illness and Legal Issues,” “Initiating Positive Press & PR,” “Leadership Development for First Line Supervisors,” and “Ethical Decision-Making for Law Enforcement.” Trainers for our final day of classes included: Tim Tomczak (North District Commander Raleigh PD, NC), Joshua Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Rob Yantis (Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); Matt Hedrick (Deputy Chief, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Dr. Gregory Warren (Captain, Delaware State Police Department, DE); Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting, LLC); Mary Phillippi (President/CFO PDL Connect Consulting, LLC); Mike Grodi (CEO/Executive Secretary, Michigan Sheriffs’ Coordinating & Training Council); and John Bennington (Training Coordinator, Michigan Sheriffs’ Coordinating & Training Council).
To end our conference we hosted our annual JAILCON23 Central Region Corrections Professionals Awards Ceremony and Luncheon –where correctional professionals and agencies from the Central Region are recognized for their dedication and excellence in the corrections profession throughout their careers, and especially during the past year. NIJO Executive Director Tate McCotter presented the awards and also recognized individuals who had earned NIJO Professional Certification and agencies who achieved National Accreditation through the National Institute for Jail Operations. more about the awards and the recipients here.
Once again, we’d like to thank all of the attendees, vendors, sponsors, and instructors for their contributions and participation at JAILCON this year. We are pleased to report another successful conference, and look forward to seeing you again next year!
Get early-bird pricing by registering today for JAILCON24 Central Regional Conference, which will be held October 8-10, 2024 in French Lick, IN. You can register by clicking here or by visiting: www.jailcon.org.
You may also be interested in JAILCON23 Central Region Corrections Professionals Awards Summary
