Changing the Future for recruitment and Retention
Corrections supervisors and leaders face a daunting challenge every day: how to recruit people into the profession, and then, how to keep them there long-term. And keep them healthy.
Jails across the country are facing significant staffing shortages, adding more stress to an already stressed-out corrections workforce. This is not only a jail problem; other sectors of the American economy are experiencing the same problem. That’s why our second Fall Summit October 12-14, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio is laser-focused on recruitment and retention issues, with, of course, a “healthy” dose of staff health and wellness outreach, since a vigorous and engaged workforce is a key to successful retention efforts.
The 2022 Fall Summit will present valuable information and insight for jail administrators and supervisors who are tackling these difficult challenges every day. It will be a great opportunity for AJA members to interact with thought leaders and experts on these frustrating issues.
There are many reasons for the labor shortages plaguing both corrections and other American industries, some related to COVID-19, others tied to long-term trends. For example, according to the U.S Chamber of Commerce, “millions of Americans have left the labor force since before the pandemic. In fact, we have more than two million fewer Americans participating in the labor force today compared to February of 2020.” These facts underscore why it is so important for AJA members to address recruitment and retention strategically. Recruiting —and especially— retaining people who are committed to corrections as a career, not simply a stepping stone to something else.
The Summit will help us forge a new path to a thriving corrections workforce in the 21st Century. Some of the topics that will be addressed are:
• Can we identify and treat the root cause of retention problems? Why are people really leaving? • What are some best practices/success stories regarding retention? • Do best practices in other industries apply to corrections? • The “staying interview”: How important is it to retaining employees? • How can we continue to professionalize local corrections? • Improving our processes – how to recruit, hire, train in a reasonable amount of time. • The importance of staffing analyses, and doing them correctly.
These are challenging and pressing issues with no easy answers, and that’s exactly why you should join us in Columbus to help work them out. Keep reading the next few pages to learn more about the Summit. We hope to see you there!
Housing for the AJA Recruitment & Retention Summit for Jail Professionals is Open! Please Note: Any hotel or travel company that solicits reservations is not associated with AJA and is not endorsed by the association. The hotels should not be contacting you, unless you have initiated contact with them. The Summit is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 12, and conclude on Friday, October 14.
Hyatt Regency Columbus Summit Venue 350 N. High Street $199/nt single/double occupancy
Reserve your room at AJA’s rate using Access Code: AJA
Rates are subject to a 17.5% tax (subject to change)
Reservations To make a reservation visit: https://bit.ly/3AkciMD Use Access Code: AJA Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. After September 20, 2022, rooms and rates are based on availability at the hotels regular rate.
Making Your Reservation When making your reservation online, have the following information ready: • Attendee name(s) & contact information • Arrival & departure dates • Room type preference* • Special requests* • Payment information *Please note that room type preference and special requests cannot be guaranteed. Reservation Policies & Procedures Reservation Guarantee: The hotels require a credit card guarantee at the time of booking. Requests received without a guarantee will not be processed. Changes/Cancellations: Cancellation must be made 72 hours prior to your arrival to avoid a one-night room and tax deposit forfeit. Early Departure Fee: None of the hotels has an early departure fee. Prepay Full Amount: To prepay the full amount, contact the hotel and request a credit card authorization form, or send a check addressed to the hotel’s accounting department with the name of the guest(s) and confirmation number(s). Agency/Company Credit Card: If paying with a different credit card name than that which the room is under, a credit card authorization form needs to be provided prior to arrival at the hotel. To obtain this authorization, call the hotel directly by phone. The hotels cannot accept credit cards with a different name from the registered guest at the front desk at check-in. Check-In/Check-Out Times: Check-in time is 3 p.m.; check- out time is 12 p.m.