The National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) is excited to celebrate the success of the JAILCON25 Western Regional Conference, held June 9–11, 2025, at the beautiful Gila River Resort at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona. Now in its 9th year, this premier event brought together corrections professionals from across the Western Region for an unforgettable three days of expert-led training, valuable networking, and an outstanding exhibitor showcase.
The conference sold out once again this year, having over 490 corrections professionals from several states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming in attendance.
DAY 1 - June 11, 2025
Our tradition is to begin every JAILCON with an Opening Session. We were privileged to have our flag ceremony presented by a multi-agency honor guard including participants from Coconino, Maricopa, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai, and Yuma County Sheriff’s Offices. We’d like to give our special thanks to JAILCON committee member, Donella Sas of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Andrei Jordache from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for putting together this memorable honor guard for us. After the Flag Ceremony, NIJO Executive Director, Tate McCotter, led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Sgt. Leonard Miller of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office sang a moving rendition of the national anthem. Welcome remarks were then given by Tate McCotter, NIJO Executive Director; Chief Jesse Crabtee, Chief of Police at the Gila River Indian Community; Sheriff Ross Teeple, Pinal County (AZ); and Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, Maricopa County (AZ). The main speaker at our Opening Session was Yavapai County, Arizona, Sheriff David Rhodes , the current President of the Arizona 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 Oce, GA); Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, National Institute for Jail Operations and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Rob Yantis (Policy & Operations Manager, National Institute for Jail Operations and Ret. Jail Commander, 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 (CEO, Glenn Ercanbrack Research & Consulting and Retired Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole, Utah Department of Corrections); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love & Acedo PLC); JaNan Arnold Thomas (RMS Litigation Counsel, Arkansas Association of Counties); Matt Thomas (Chief Deputy, Pinal County Sheriff’s Oce, AZ); 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); 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 supervisors, line level, civilian, and healthcare 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, Cassidy Hilgers.
Following the opening session, individuals attended three 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 Andersion (Grants Manager, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, GA); Aaron Dawson, Ph.D., BCE, M.A.C.C. (President, Shadow Ridge Counseling, Consulting and Training); (Keith Hoskins (National Training Administrator, NIJO and Ret. Jail Administrator, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, MO); Johnny Knatt, SHRM-SCP, CCATC (Chief People Whisperer, JJK Workplace, LLC); Ret. Sheriff Dave Brown (Executive Director, WSSA); Sheriff Tracy Glover (Kane County, UT); Sheriff Matt English (Hood River County, WA); Rob Yantis (Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, SD); Josh Arnold (Director of Operations, NIJO); Lt. Dawn Patterson (Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, GA); Ben Griego (President, Correctional Solutions); Glenn Ercanbrack (CEO, Glenn Ercanbrack Research and Consulting (GERC)); JaNan Arnold Thomas (RMS Litigation Counsel, Arkansas Association of Counties); 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. Following the training sessions attendees minted with our conference sponsors and exhibitors during a Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall. The Welcome Reception included hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and lots of prize giveaways sponsored by our generous sponsors.
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 - June 11, 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 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). Attendees left feeling motivated and inspired to be better individuals and to make sure they take time to focus on their mental health.Â
Following the Keynote Session, attendees gathered together in the Exhibit Hall to visit with 55 correctionsspecific 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, “Use of Force: Documentation,” “Mortality Reviews,” “Security Threat Groups,” and a 2 part Legal Issues and Updates Panel. Training Sessions were taught by: Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting); Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); Aaron Dawson (President, Shadow Ridge Counseling, Consulting, and Executive Director of the Alabama Jail Administrators’ Council); 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.); JaNan Thomas (RMS Litigation Counsel, Arkansas Association of Counties); Wanda Rahman (County Attorney, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, AL); Ben Griego (President, Correctional Solutions); Rob Yantis (Policy & Operations Manager, National Institute for Jail Operations and Ret. Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheri’s Oce, SD); and Megan Kennedy, RN, CCHP, (Director – Detention Health Services, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, AZ).
That evening attendees joined together in our ballroom for our annual Corrections Appreciation Night. The night was lively and fun with live entertainment from the excellent band, Campbell Blue Creek. Attendees also enjoyed neon billiards tables, corn hole, checkers, and connect 4 games. Thank you to Campbell Blue Creek and all the attendees for joining us for a fun evening.
DAY 3 - June 12, 2024
The fnal day of the conference oered three 1.25 hour training sessions. Topics from our third day of training included, “Rise and Thrive–How to Set Realistic Career Goals,” “Combatting Court Orders that Threaten Safety & Security,” “Creating a Mentor Program for Your Agency,” 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 Sheri’s Oce, GA); Rob Yantis (Policy & Operations Manager, NIJO and Ret. Jail Commander, Pennington County Sheriff’s Oce, SD); Paul Laney (President/CEO, PDL Connect Consulting); and Mary Phillippi (President/CFO, PDL Connect Consulting); Ben Griego (President, Correctional Solutions); Glenn Ercanbrack (CEO, Glenn Ercanbrack Research & Consulting and Ret. Deputy Director, Adult Probation & Parole, Utah Department of Corrections); Rachel Love (Partner, Struck Love & Acedo PLC); Adena Bernstein (Assistant Attorney General and Fentanyl Strategist, Arizona Attorney General’s Oce); and Chris Olson (Chief of Police/Assistant Vice President, Office of Public Safety, University of Arizona).
To end our conference we hosted our annual JAILCON Western Region Corrections Professionals Awards Ceremony and Luncheon where correctional professionalsand agencies from the Western Region were 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, National Institute for Jail Operations and NIJO Executive Director, Tate McCotter, presented the JAILCON25 Western Region Corrections Professionals Awards on
behalf of the National Institute for Jail Operations. You can read more about the awards and the recipients here. Â
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!
The finale for the conference was our 8th annual JAILCON Corrections Professionals Awards Ceremony and Luncheon–where corrections professionals and agencies from the Western Region were 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.
Read about the JAILCON 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 Western Region Corrections Professionals Awards Summary.
