The National Institute for Jail Operations proudly reports the success of JAILCON25 Southern Regional Conference, held at the Renaissance Riverview Hotel and the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, AL. This marked the 8th annual corrections training conference for the Southern Region, continuing a tradition of excellence in professional development and collaboration.
The conference sold out once again this year, having over 250 corrections professionals from several states including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Washington in attendance.
DAY 1 - October 13, 2025
Our tradition is to begin every JAILCON with an Opening Session. Our flag ceremony was presented by the Black Hats from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (AL). We were then honored to hear a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem sung by Sergeant Lashanta Williams of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office (LA). Sergeant Weilliams has performed the National Anthem for the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a great privilege to have her sing for us as well! NIJO Executive Director, Tate McCotter, led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcome remarks were then given by Tate McCotter, NIJO Executive Director; JAILCON25 South Host Sheriff Paul Burch, Mobile County (AL), Aaron Dawson, Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council (AJAC); and Ret. Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack, Executive Director of the Alabama 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); Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Rob Yantis (Police & Operations Manager, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); 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); JaNan Arnold Thomas (General Counsel of Risk Management Services, Association of Arkansas Counties); Dennis Smithee (Special Agent, State Bureau of Investigation – Alabama Law Enforcement Agency); Johnny Knatt (Founder and Chief People Whisperer, JJK Workplace); Josh Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); 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); Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); and Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice 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, Jerry Powell.
DAY 2 - October 14, 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 Highway” (14,000 miles in 99 days) and the “Fastest person to cycle the entire length of South America (in 48 days). Dean was also joined by his wife Alana Stott. 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 mingled in the Exhibit Hall to visit with over 60 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, “The Role of Responsibility in Law Enforcement,” “Combatting Court Orders That Threaten Safety & Security,” “Mortality Reviews,” and a 2 part Legal Issues and Updates Panel. Training Sessions were taught by: Glenn Ercanbrack (Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole (Ret.), Utah Department of Corrections); Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting); Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); Johnny Knatt (Founder and Chief People Whisperer, JJK Workplace); JaNan Arnold Thomas (General Counsel of Risk Management Services, Association of Arkansas Counties); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love & Acedo PLC); Blake Hamilton (Partner, Dentons Durham Jones & Pinegar P.C.); Wanda Rahman (County Attorney, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, AL); Tate McCotter (Executive Director, NIJO); Bill Wilson (Jail Services Coordinator, Indiana Sheriff’s Association); Rob Yantis (Police & Operations Manager, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ); and Lance Oehrlein (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting).
That evening, a spirit of excitement and anticipation filled the air as JAILCON attendees and Mobile citizens gathered for the highly anticipated 2nd Annual JAILCON25 Corrections Appreciation Mardi Gras Parade. Organized by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, this special event served as a meaningful tribute to Corrections Officers and their families, celebrating their service and dedication in a vibrant and memorable way.
NIJO extends our sincere gratitude to the planning committee at the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office—Sheriff Burch, Warden Mitchell, Deputy Warden Mitchell, Lieutenant Wallace, Larkisha, and Ken, and Lori—for their exceptional leadership, dedication, and the many hours invested in making this event a success. We are also deeply appreciative of Kimble’s/TurnKey Corrections for their generous sponsorship, as well as the Conde Cavaliers, Mr. Dave Adams, City of Mobile, VisitMobile.org, Mobile Police Department, numerous Mobile-area high schools, and many others who contributed to the success of the parade. The participation and support of everyone involved made this celebration truly unforgettable.
Following the parade, JAILCON attendees gathered at the historic Mobile Carnival Museum for live jazz music by the Jukebox Brass Band, delicious southern hors d’ouevres, king cakes, moon pies, as well touring the newly remodeled museum. It was a night to remember! Once again, NIJO expresses our sincerest gratitude to everyone who came, participated, donated, and supported this Corrections Appreciations Event.
DAY 3 - October 15, 2025
The final day of the conference offered three 1.25-hour training sessions. Topics from our third day of training included, “Rise & Thrive: How to Set Realistic Career Goals,” “Navigating Post-Incident Pattern and Practice Investigations,” “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:
Dr. Karen Anderson (CEO, Dr. A’s Law Enforcement Consulting & Grant Writing); Dawn Patterson (Lieutenant, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, GA); 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); Nick Morisani (Partner, Phelps Dunbar LLP) ; Mallory Bland (Associate Attorney, Phelps Dunbar LLP) ; Josh Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); Sean Stewart (Consultant, Stewart Criminal Justice Consulting); Lance Oehrlein (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); and Bill Wilson (Jail Services Coordinator, Indiana Sheriff’s Association).
To end our conference, we hosted our annual JAILCON Souther Region Corrections Professionals Awards Ceremony and Luncheon where corrections 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. 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. Read more about the awards and each recipient 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 Southern Region Corrections Professionals Awards Summary.
