The National Institute for Jail Operations proudly reports the success of the JAILCON24 Central Regional Conference at the French Lick Springs Resort in French Lick, Indiana, the 3rd annual corrections training conference for the Central Region.
The conference sold out this year, having over 200 corrections professionals from several states including Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wyoming in attendance.
DAY 1 - October 8, 2024
As always, the conference began with our Opening Session–starting with a flag ceremony presented by the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association Honor Guard. Next Executive Director, Tate McCotter led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance, Retired Indiana State Trooper, Kirby Stailey, sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. Welcome remarks were then given by Tate McCotter and Bill Wilson, Jail Services Coordinator for the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association.
After the opening session, participants attended four 1.5 hour training sessions with the option of five topics during every session. Training sessions were taught by top corrections experts from across the country, including: Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Rob Yantis (NIJO Policy and Operations Manager and Ret. Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); Dr. Karen Anderson (CEO, Dr. A’s Law Enforcement Consulting & Grant Writing); Thalantha Jones (Sergeant, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, FL); JaNan Arnold Thomas (RMS Litigation Counsel, Arkansas Association of Counties); Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Aaron Dawson (Ret. Warden, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, AL and Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council); Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice Consulting); Wanda Rahman (County Attorney, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, AL); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love Bojanowski & Acedo PLC); and Bill Wilson (Jail Services Coordinator, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, IN). 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. The Welcome Reception included hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and prize giveaways made possible by our generous sponsors.
DAY 2 - October 9, 2024
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 was a Retired Navy Seal and American Hero. For his privacy, we will not be disclosing his identity. He served on the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams for 14 years, including extensive time on SEAL Team 6. He participated in hundreds of missions around the globe and has earned a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, five Bronze Stars with Valor and many other honors. He shared inspiring stories that illustrated how to achieve the “SEAL Team Mindset.” Those points were 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!). Attendees left feeling motivated and inspired to be better individuals and team players. We thank all of our attendees for respecting our Keynote’s privacy by not taking any photos of him.
Following the Keynote Session, attendees gathered together in the Exhibit Hall to visit with the nearly 40 corrections-specific vendors in attendance. Our Keynote Speaker also joined us in the Exhibit Hall for a meet and greet with attendees. Attendees were able to purchase a signed copy of his book 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,” “How to Deal with Games Inmates Play,” “Driving the Road to Your Leadership Legacy,” “Managing Jail Suicides,” “Mental Health & Suicide Awareness in Detention Facilities,” and a two part panel on Legal Issues & Updates. Training Sessions were taught by: Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting); Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); Aaron Dawson (Ret. Warden, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, AL and Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love Bojanowski & Acedo PLC); Tate McCotter, CJM (Executive Director, NIJO); Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Bill Wilson (Jail Services Coordinator, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association); JaNan Thomas (RMS Litigation Counsel, Arkansas Association of Counties); Todd Larson (Director, What You Do Matters Institute); and Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ).
That evening attendees joined together outside on the Terrace for our Corrections Appreciation Night. Kirby Stailey and his band entertained guests with great live music as attendees mingled around campfires, roasted s’mores and enjoyed the bar. Thank you to Kirby Stailey and his band, and all the attendees for joining us for a fun evening.
DAY 3 - October 10, 2024
The final day of the conference offered three 1.25 hour training sessions. Topics from our third day of training included, “Navigating Requests for Religious Diets,” “Decision-Making for First Line Supervisors,” “The Future of Qualified Immunity,” “Medical vs. Custody: How to Build That Relationship,” “Safety, Security, and Control,” and “What Type of Leader Do You Want to Be?” Trainers for our final day of classes included: Bill Wilson (Jail Services Coordinator, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association); Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice Consulting); Rob Yantis (Ret. Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Josh Arnold (Director of Operations, National Institute for Jail Operations); Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Glenn Ercanbrack (Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole (Ret.), Utah Department of Corrections); Dr. Karen Anderson (CEO, Dr. A’s Law Enforcement Consulting & Grant Writing); Todd Larson (Director, What You Do Matters Institute); Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Aaron Dawson (Ret. Warden, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, AL and Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council); Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting); and Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting).
To end our conference we hosted our annual Awards Ceremony and Luncheon where correctional professionals and agencies from the Central 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 JAILCON24 Awards on behalf of the National Institute for Jail Operations. You can read more about the awards and the recipients here.
