Where Do You Want to Be in Five Years?

This edition of the American Jails Magazine is focused on Hot Topics occurring in the profession of jails. As I brainstormed about presenting a meaningful topic, I decided to focus on you, the dedicated and courageous individuals who make our nation’s jails great. The American Jail Association and jail leadership throughout the United States continue to spend an inordinate number of hours working to develop methods and processes to successfully recruit and retain employees.

Additionally, AJA has been approached by partner organizations seeking to conduct research that may provide evidence about what consistently attracts and maintains employees. Though we focus on correctional officers, the same attention is needed for support staff, food service, and medical personnel.

While agency commands work on these challenges, what are you doing to plan or act on steps to improve your quality of life, mentor others, and establish a roadmap for your career advancement? AJA membership includes all levels of rank and various disciplines. All of you can positively or negatively impact those around you. If you are negatively impacting others, you are a problem creator, not a problem solver. Which role do you choose? In the end, the legacy you leave behind will be remembered based on how you treated others and performed your duties. I challenge you to be your best, do the right thing, and treat others how you want to be treated.

Middle and upper management have a duty to informally and formally develop their subordinates. When senior staff privately ask their team members, “where do you want to be in five years”, the door opens for dialogue, introspection, team building, and focus on actions. Though not all staff are interested in promotion, they do remain critical to the success of the jail and must be included in similar processes.

As a leader, you should be identifying, actively assisting, and dedicating interest to those highly productive corrections professionals seeking additional responsibilities and career advancement. It’s a supervisor’s dream to be part of a team who takes full ownership of their responsibilities, routinely fulfill department policies, reduces agency liability, produces great ideas, and has a positive impact on their peers and inmates. What actions will you take to accomplish your dreams and help others attain theirs? If you do this every day, I am confident that you will be recognized as highly valued members of your organization and will be on the shortlist for key training opportunities, additional responsibilities that are critical to the department, and promotional offerings. The willing and able employees are prime candidates for future leadership positions.

My challenge to the newest staff in the organization, if you haven’t already done so, is to seek out senior staff that are well respected and who have a solid professional reputation as a mentor. Develop a strong work ethic and enhance your skills to be your best. Take advantage of all opportunities which come your way or seek out how to continuously improve, including advancing your education. There are many spectacular training opportunities and certification programs offered by the American Jail Association to enhance your skills and further demonstrate commitment to the jail profession.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t share part of my story. During my 30-year career, I have had the privilege to work with some of the very best. I started at my agency as a young 20-something, with no connections and zero jail experience except attending a corrections class while attending university. During the first month at work, I would come home and tell my wife, “I think I made a very big mistake.” I witnessed behavior that I had never seen or had directed toward me. It was rough and stressful. In retrospect, working in the Administrative Segregation Units was the best experience that created a solid foundation for my career. I worked diligently, did what was expected, followed the agency policies, and showed the inmates I was unable to be manipulated. Early in my career, I was noticed by the upper command as hard-working, a problem solver, and a good fit in most environments. I volunteered for every extra-duty opportunity, though I really didn’t have a specific plan as to why. I was fortunate to befriend more senior personnel who had similar reputations and through routine interactions and talks, they inadvertently helped mold me into a person with a stronger work ethic, a robust sense of duty, and a commitment to my organization. I wanted more and fully enjoyed being part of greatness. My career advancement was fast-tracked, and this afforded me the ability to sit at the command table. An unintended benefit was approval to participate at AJA conferences, access to sitting for the Certified Jail Manager examination, and gaining national exposure for myself and the agency.

I share this with you because my success, for which I am humbly grateful, can easily be your success. Though there is no guarantee, hard work, commitment, and dependability will offer you a great chance to attain what you seek. I remind you to be your best, do the right thing, and treat people how you want to be treated. Solidify your five-year plan and go after it!

Best regards and be safe. DARREN SIEGER, MS, CJM President American Jail Association