The National Institute for Jail Operations is proud to announce the successful completion of the JAILCON25 Central Regional Conference, held at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in Overland Park, KS. This marked the 4th annual corrections training conference for the Central Region, continuing a tradition of excellence in professional development and collaboration.
The conference sold out once again this year, having over 240 corrections professionals from several states including Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Wyoming in attendance.
DAY 1 - August 12, 2025
Our tradition is to begin every JAILCON with an Opening Session. We were privileged to have our flag ceremony presented by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. NIJO Executive Director, Tate McCotter, led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Crystal Herber of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (KS) sang a moving rendition of the national anthem. Welcome remarks were then given by Tate McCotter, NIJO Executive Director; Sheriff Byron Roberson from our host agency, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (KS), followed by current Kansas Sheriffs’ Association President, Scott Braun from Ellis County, Kansas. The main speaker at our Opening Session was Sandy Horton, Executive Director of the Kansas 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: Dr. Karen Anderson (CEO, Dr. A’s Law Enforcement Consulting & Grant Writing); Dawn Patterson (Lieutenant, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, GA); Josh Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Wanda Rahman (County Attorney, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, AL); Glenn Ercanbrack (Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole (Ret.), Utah Department of Corrections); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love & Acedo PLC); Aaron Dawson (President, Shadow Ridge Counseling, Consulting, and Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council); Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting); and Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice Consulting); and Lance Oehrlein (President/cFO, PDL Connect 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 during the Welcome Reception. The Welcome Reception included hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The highlight of the evening included live music by local musician, Andrew Camp, from the group The January Lanterns.
DAY 2 - August 13, 2025
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 Dean Stott. Dean Stott, MBE, is a former British Special Forces soldier, a two time World Record holder, Adventurer, Philanthropist, International Speaker and Author. Dean spoke about his experiences in the British Special Forces, his exit from the military and the mental health struggles that accompanied that time of his life. Then he spoke about his career in counter terrorism, crisis management, and high security rescue missions. Finally he enthralled us all with his story of becoming a double Guinness World Record Holder for “Fastest person to cycle the Pan American American Highway” (14,000 miles in 99 days) and the “Fastest person to cycle the entire length of South America (in 48 days). One of our favorite quotes from Dean was, “If you have the capacity to help, then help. Don’t wait for someone else to help.”Attendees left feeling motivated and inspired to be better individuals and to make sure they take time to focus on their mental health.
Following the Keynote Session, attendees gathered together in the Exhibit Hall to visit with over 49 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 Elite Partners and JAILCON25 Central Conference Sponsors, for supporting JAILCON25 Central Regional Conference.
The afternoon was spent in two more 90 minute training sessions. Topics ranged from, “The Role of Responsibility in Law Enforcement,” “Evidence Preservation, Deposition and Court Testimony,” “Mortality Reviews,” and a 2 part Legal Issues and Updates Panel. Training Sessions were taught by: Aaron Dawson (President, Shadow Ridge Counseling, Consulting, and Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council); Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting); Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); Johnny Knatt (Founder, Chief People Whisper, JJK Workplace); Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice Consulting); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love & Acedo PLC); Tate McCotter, MCJ, NCCE (Executive Director, NIJO); Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Wanda Rahman (County Attorney, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, AL); and Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ).
Wednesday evening attendees gathered in the ballroom for our 4th Annual JAILCON Central Corrections Appreciation Night, a lively celebration filled with fun and camaraderie. The night featured high-energy entertainment from Big Show Dueling Pianos, along with special performances from some of our very own talented NIJO staff, instructors, sponsors and JAILCON attendees. Guests also enjoyed friendly competition with cornhole, while mingling over drinks and snacks. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who helped make the evening such an enjoyable and memorable experience!
DAY 3 - August 14, 2025
The final day of the conference offered three 1.25 hour training sessions. Topics from our third day of training included, “Enhancing Culture Through Training,” “Combatting Court Orders that Threaten Safety & Security,” “How ‘Well’ Are your Leaders? Have They Been Forgotten?,” and “What You Do Matters: Lessons from the Holocaust.”
Trainers for our final day of classes included:
Aaron Dawson (President, Shadow Ridge Counseling, Consulting, and Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council); Dr. Karen Anderson (CEO, Dr. A’s Law Enforcement Consulting & Grant Writing); Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting); and Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); Justin Branner (Lieutenant, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, KS); Tyson Kilbey (Captain, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, KS); Jonathan Keys (Sergeant, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, KS); Philip Kirgan (Sergeant, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, KS); Glenn Ercanbrack (Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole (Ret.), Utah Department of Corrections); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love & Acedo PLC); Josh Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); and Lance Oehrlein (President/cFO, PDL Connect Consulting).
To end our conference we hosted our 4th Annual JAILCON 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 profession throughout their careers, and especially during the past year. Melissa Bjergo (Director of Partnerships and Agency Development, NIJO) and NIJO Executive Director Tate McCotter presented the JAILCON25 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 JAILCON25 Central Region Corrections Professionals Awards Summary.
