Recognizing the
BEST of the BEST 2023 Award Nominations
The American Jail Association is committed to the professional growth of our nation’s jails. There are dedicated people in every organization who work long and hard to ensure their organizations continue to grow professionally. Among these professionals are some whose performance is exceptional.
The Awards Committee of the American Jail Association is asking you to identify these exceptional practitioners so they can be recognized publicly at AJA’s 42nd Conference & Jail Expo in Omaha, Nebraska, May 20–24, 2023.
Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award
This award is named in honor of the American Jail Association’s first Executive Director.
• It recognizes a lifetime of professional excellence in the field of local corrections.
• Any individual, active or retired, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a sincere commitment to the professional advancement of jails and their operations is eligible.
• Credible nominations must include examples of accomplishments that demonstrate the individual’s extraordinary leadership, vision, and devotion to the profession.
Nominees are not required to be members of AJA. The award may not be accorded annually.
Innovation Awards
These three awards are presented to governmental or tribal correctional facilities that have developed an innovative and progressive approach that will help the industry as a whole. Awards are based on the size of the facilities: large (1,000+ beds); medium (100–999 beds); and small (under 100 beds).
• Contributions had a significant impact on the effective and efficient operations of the jail profession.
• The proposed solution and the resulting benefit must be stated in the submission.
• It holds a reasonable prospect of implementation by other agencies, organizations or communities as judged by the Awards Committee.
• It is not a duplicate of an active suggestion or a proposal that has previously, or is currently, under consideration by AJA.
Valor Award
This award is presented to any corrections professional whose action(s) was clearly above and beyond the call of duty.
• Displayed actions not normally involved in the performance of duties, of an extraordinary nature, or an outstanding execution of duties that involved great courage or heroism.
• Demonstrated unusual judgment, zeal, bravery, and/or ingenuity that averted or minimized a potential disaster.
• Showed extraordinary decision-making, presence of mind, and swiftness of action to save the life of any person or people in imminent danger.
The nomination must be supported by official incident reports and witnessed by a jail administrator, letters of commendation, and/or police reports.
To Give a Nomination Greater Weight:
• Include ample justification to support your nomination.
• Thoroughly discuss the nominee’s accomplishments and mention any awards, commendations, etc. Provide newspaper articles or commendation letters, if appropriate.
• Include endorsements from a variety of sources—both inside and outside the facility.
Ray Coleman Correctional Administrator of the Year Award
• Successfully manages contemporary day-to-day jail problems, such as crowded conditions, mental health, personnel shortages, litigation, etc.
• Promotes a professional image of the facility and the personnel who staff it.
• Encourages and implements jail staff training and programs as well as inmate programs that enhance the efficient operation of the jail.
Candidates must be employees of a governmental or tribal correctional facility.
RAY COLEMAN Correctional Supervisor of the Year
• Coaches, leads, and guides jail staff.
• Inspires and promotes excellence in their staff.
• Improves morale by always having a positive attitude.
Candidates must be employees of a governmental or tribal correctional facility.
Correctional Training Officer of the Year
• Continually strives to elevate the level of professionalism in their facility through training.
• Researches and applies new approaches and methods of training to continually improve the culture of the facility.
• Uses new technology to improve training and employee performance.
Candidates must be an employee of a governmental or tribal jail and a certified trainer as defined by a State regulatory or individual agency or tribal correctional facility.
Correctional Officer of the Year
• Constantly performs above the expectations of the job.
• Recognized by peers and supervisors as an outstanding officer who is doing an excellent job.
• Eagerly learns new posts and takes on additional work and responsibility, and is highly conscientious.
Candidates must be an employee of a governmental or tribal correctional facility.
Civilian Employee of the Year
• Gives exceptional support to jail personnel.
• Considered the go-to person when anyone has a question.
• Indispensable to facility and staff.
The candidate must be a nonsworn employee working in a governmental or tribal correctional facility.
Volunteer of the Year
• Shows commitment to making positive contributions to the local jail.
• Performs exemplary work in religious or other programs, providing crisis counseling, assisting in the commissary, or handling telephone calls.
• Consistently impresses others with work, manners, attitude, and helpfulness.
The service provided by the individual must be to a governmental or tribal correctional facility from which the volunteer is being nominated.
Submit Your Nomination ONLINE!
Please complete the nomination form found here . All nominations must be postmarked or emailed by Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
