Education: The Foundation of Our Profession

Education is the foundation of progress in our profession. As correctional leaders, we know that every day brings challenges that require skill, judgment, and adaptability. The safety of our staff, the welfare of those in our custody, and the trust of the communities we serve all depend on our ability to stay sharp, informed, and committed to growth.

At the American Jail Association, education is not an afterthought. It is at the core of our mission. For over four decades, AJA has provided correctional professionals with tools to strengthen their agencies, advance their careers, and grow into the next generation of leaders. Today, those opportunities are more accessible and impactful than ever.

In this article, I want to highlight the range of professional development opportunities AJA offers, from intensive leadership academies to customized training at your site. I also want to emphasize the importance of education as a shared commitment. When we invest in ourselves and our staff, we invest in the future of our agencies and our profession.

Professional Development Workshops and Training

AJA offers Professional Development Workshops, Virtual Trainings, Summits, and our annual Conference and Jail Expo, which focuses on the issues that matter most to local correctional facilities. These events are designed by and for jail professionals, which ensures that every session addresses real-world challenges and practical solutions.

Whether you join a one-day virtual seminar or a multi-day summit, the training you receive through AJA is practical, cost-effective, and immediately useful in your facility. Topics include legal updates, risk management, wellness, staff development, operational readiness, technology use that supports human judgment, and innovative programming that improves outcomes.

One of the greatest benefits of AJA training comes from the people in the room. Classes bring together practitioners from across the country, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, share solutions, and build lasting relationships. Time and again, participants tell us that the colleagues they met through AJA training became lifelong friends and trusted professional contacts.

When you join AJA for training, you join thousands of correctional professionals who have chosen to advance their careers while strengthening their agencies.

For agencies that want tailored solutions, AJA provides cost-effective, custom-designed training and technical assistance in the comfort and convenience of your facility. We meet you where you are, listen to your goals, and deliver instruction that aligns with your policies, staffing realities, and local needs.

Jail Leadership Initiatives

Leadership development is one of the most pressing needs in our field. Every jail depends on a pipeline of capable leaders who are ready to step forward as supervisors, managers, and executives. AJA has made leadership development a central focus, beginning with the creation of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy and expanding into regional programs that adapt this successful model to state and regional needs.

National Jail Leadership Command Academy

Founded in 2009, the National Jail Leadership Command Academy is the flagship leadership program for mid-level managers who are preparing to move into senior roles. The academy is a joint effort of AJA and the Correctional Management Institute of Texas and is held at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

The curriculum covers budgeting and finance, data-driven decision making, workforce development, agency culture, essential leadership skills, strategic planning, collaboration, and change management. The faculty includes seasoned practitioners and criminal justice academicians, which creates a powerful balance of real-world wisdom and academic rigor.

Attendance is intentionally limited to foster engagement, reflection, and personal growth. Alumni return to their agencies ready to lead with confidence and integrity, and they join a network of peers across the nation.

Regional Leadership Initiatives

To build on the National Jail Leadership Command Academy model, AJA has developed regional academies with state associations and local partners. Each program teaches the Core Competencies for Jail Leaders while addressing the unique needs of its region. Current initiatives include Rocky Mountain Jail Leadership Academy, California Jail Command Academy, New Jersey Correctional Leadership Series, New England Jail Leadership Academy, and Florida Leadership Command Academy. These programs extend the reach of the national academy, make high-quality leadership training more accessible, and strengthen the leadership pipeline across the country.

Jail Executive Institute

For senior leaders and executives, AJA offers the Jail Executive Institute in cooperation with the University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. This program is an all-inclusive, interactive, multi-day immersive experience designed for jail executives and members of their immediate command staff.

Segment one is a five-day onsite learning and networking experience held at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. For the most recent cycle, the onsite segment ran from September 7, 2025, to September 12, 2025. Segment two consists of seven online trainings that deepen understanding and allow leaders to integrate lessons with agency priorities. Segment three is an oral presentation at the AJA Conference and Jail Expo, which gives participants a platform to present applied solutions and receive feedback from peers and faculty.

Participants leave JEI with a refined executive toolkit, a library of practical resources, and a trusted network of colleagues who share a commitment to excellence in jail operations.

Vision for the Future: Expanding Online Learning

While our in-person training opportunities remain a hallmark of AJA, we also recognize that accessibility and flexibility are essential. That is why AJA is actively working to revamp our online learning platform to better meet the needs of our membership and agencies across the country.

The updated platform will provide a high-quality online learning environment with courses that match the standards you expect from AJA. It will include flexible learning paths for officers, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and executives. It will support blended learning so agencies can combine online modules with tabletop exercises, scenario practice, and policy reviews at the facility. It will also offer clear learning outcomes, job aids for roll call use, and completion records that support personnel development and accreditation.

This work is not simply about technology. It is about access and consistency. Every jail professional, no matter where they work, should have reliable access to relevant training that reflects validated jail guidelines and prepares them to act with confidence. Our members told us they want practical courses that fit real schedules and real constraints, along with clear pathways from officer to supervisor to manager to executive. We are building exactly that.

Why Education Matters

There are no shortcuts in our work. Jails are complex and have high liability environments that demand well-trained staff at every level. When agencies fail to invest in education, the cost shows up in staff morale, operational performance, litigation risk, and public trust. The reverse is also true. When we prioritize professional development, morale improves, communication sharpens, and performance becomes more consistent across shifts and units.

Education is also the most dependable way to align culture with mission. Training that reinforces expectations, policy, and leadership accountability helps new staff understand what right looks like and gives seasoned staff a common language for coaching and correction. It builds shared standards and reduces variation. It creates conditions where first-line supervisors are supported, where command staff can lead with clarity, and where front-line officers can do the job safely and professionally.

For leaders, education builds the habits that sustain good decision-making when pressure is high. Leaders who practice disciplined thinking, who use data to guide action, who communicate expectations clearly, and who coach their teams with respect are the ones who set the tone for safe and effective operations. The programs described in this article are designed to build exactly those habits.

Finally, education is a commitment to each other. It is a statement that we value the people who do this work and that we are willing to invest in their growth. It is an investment in safety, in consistency, and in long-term excellence. It is how we pass on lessons learned and prepare the next generation to lead.

A Call to Action

I encourage every jail professional to take full advantage of the opportunities AJA provides. Attend a virtual training. Sign up for a workshop. Apply to one of our leadership academies. If you are an executive, consider the Jail Executive Institute to refine your strategic vision. If your agency needs targeted solutions, ask about custom-designed onsite training that meets your policy and staffing needs.

If you are a training commander or a chief of operations, look at your development plan for the next year. Identify the supervisors and managers who are ready for the next step, and enroll them in a program that will challenge them and support their growth. If you are new to the profession, start building your foundation now with courses that strengthen communication, accountability, and situational awareness.

Most importantly, recognize that education is not an expense. It is an investment. An investment in your career. An investment in your staff. An investment in the mission we all share, which is to protect our communities and run safe, secure, and professional jails.

Join us in building the future of our profession through education. Together, we will continue to advance corrections, strengthen our agencies, and develop the leaders of tomorrow.

Shaun Klucznik, MA, CJM, CCHP President American Jail Association