The National Institute for Jail Operations proudly reports the success of the JAILCON23 Southern Regional Conference at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL, August 28-30, 2023, the 6th annual JAILCON Corrections Training Conference and Exhibitor Showcase for the Southern Region.
The conference sold out this year, having over 300 corrections professionals from several states including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Utah in attendance.
DAY 1 - August 28, 2023
As always, the conference began with our Opening Session, starting with a flag ceremony presented by the Honor Guard from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office (AL). Also from Baldwin County was Deputy Tyler Ludke, who provided us with a wonderful rendition of our national anthem. Next Executive Director, Tate McCotter, led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Welcome remarks were then given by host agency representatives: Sheriff Hoss Mack, Baldwin County (AL); Sheriff Shannon Oliver, Franklin County (AL) and President of the Alabama Sheriffs’ Association; and Aaron Dawson, Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council (AJAC). 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: 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); Johnny Knatt (JJK Workplace, LLC); JaNan Thomas (RMS Litigation Counsel, Arkansas Association of Counties); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love Bojanowski & Acedo PLC); Glenn Ercanbrack (Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole (Ret.), Utah Department of Corrections); Joshua Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); Chief Deputy Mike Haley, Ph.D. (Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, LA); Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Matt Hedrick (Deputy Chief, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Matt Thomas (Chief Deputy/Executive Officer, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); and Deborah Ash R.N. (Chief Executive Officer, Correctional Medical-Legal Consulting). 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 on the Dunes Terrace overlooking the gulf shore during the Welcome Reception. The Welcome Reception included hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and lots of prize giveaways sponsored by our generous sponsors.
DAY 2 - August 29, 2023
The second day of JAILCON is one that we always look forward to, because we get to hear from our keynote speaker. This year our keynote had the attendees buzzing with excitement. For the safety and security of our Keynote Speakers and their families we did not reveal their identities. After being introduced by his good friend, our first keynote speaker took the stage. He is a Retired Navy Seal and American Hero. He served on the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams for 14 years, including extensive time on SEAL Team 6. He shared inspiring stories that illustrated how to achieve the “SEAL Team Mindset.” Those points included:
- Teamwork;
- Comfortable being uncomfortable;
- Shared sense of purpose;
- Prioritize and eat one bite at a time;
- Be “all in, all the time”;
- Change, evolve, and adapt;
- Relationships/trust;
- 3 foot world; and
- Teamwork (again!).
After our first keynote finished speaking he introduced his friend, a retired as Special Operator in the United States Army after 25 years. He shared about his experience being involved in the capture of a high-profile target with ties to al-Qaeda. Following his story, both men answered attendees’ questions in a Q&A. Attendees left feeling motivated and inspired to do and be better individuals and team players. We thank all of our attendees for respecting our speakers’ privacy by not taking any photos of them. Following the Keynote Session, attendees gathered together in the Exhibit Hall to visit with the 49 corrections-specific vendors in attendance. Our special guests also joined us in the Exhibit Hall for a meet and greet with attendees where they could purchase a signed copy of one of their books. 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,” “What Can We Do With ‘That Inmate’ Who Pushes Disciplinary Boundaries,” “PANEL: Legal Issues & Updates,” “Generation Gaps,” “Deliberate Indifference for Medical Providers,” “Solutions to Inmate Mail Issues,” “Supervisory Decision Making,” and “Expecting the Impossible: An Obligation to Provide Medical Care.” Training Sessions were taught by: Chris Olson (Interim Chief of Police, University of Arizona); Sheila Polk (County Attorney, Yavapai County, AZ); Glenn Ercanbrack (Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole (Ret.), Utah Department of Corrections); Todd Butler (Managing Partner, Phelps Dunbar LLP); Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love Bojanowski & Acedo PLC); Tate McCotter, CJM (Executive Director, NIJO); Nick Morisani (Counsel, Phelps Dunbar LLP); Johnny Knatt (JJK Workplace, LLC); JaNan Thomas (RMS Litigation Counsel, Arkansas Association of Counties); Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Rob Yantis (Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); Aaron Dawson (Ret. Warden, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, AL); Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice Consulting) and Deborah Ash R.N. (Chief Executive Officer, Correctional Medical-Legal Consulting).
Due to a heavy rainstorm, attendees and vendors joined together in the Gulfview Ballroom for our annual Corrections Appreciation Event. We had cornhole, a cash bar, and a DJ. But the highlight of the evening was when attendees and instructors entertained us all with an impromptu karaoke night! Thank you to all who participate in this fun event.
DAY 3 - August 30, 2023
The final day of the conference offered three 1.25 hour training sessions, and each day of the conference we offered a special training block on Medical/Mental Health. The block was available for all participants to attend. Topics from our third day of training included, “Avoid Disaster: Effective Quality Control,” “Progressive Discipline,” “Profiling Behind Bars,” “Adapting to the Mental Health Crisis: Understanding the Cause & Identifying Resources,” and “Conflict Management Techniques.” Trainers for our final day of classes included: Chris Olson (Interim Chief of Police, University of Arizona); Sheila Polk (County Attorney, Yavapai County, AZ); Joshua Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); Aaron Dawson (Ret. Warden, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, AL); Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice Consulting); Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Christy Heisner (Detention Lieutenant, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Dr. Steve Sampson (Founder, Institute for Social Intelligence); Todd Butler (Managing Partner, Phelps Dunbar LLP); Nick Morisani (Counsel, Phelps Dunbar LLP); Wesley Lynch (Captain, Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, GA); Rob Yantis (Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); and Deborah Ash R.N. (Chief Executive Officer, Correctional Medical-Legal Consulting).
To end our conference we host our annual Awards Ceremony and Luncheon where correctional professionals and agencies from the Southern Region are recognized for their dedication and excellence in the profession throughout their careers, and especially during the past year. NIJO Executive Director Tate McCotter presented the JAILCON23 Awards on behalf of the National Institute for Jail Operations. You can read 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!
You may also be interested in JAILCON23 Southern Region Corrections Professionals Awards Summary.
