Where Professional Growth Meets Real-World Insight
Join us for the 2026 AJA Conference & Jail Expo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!
Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin and a hub of Midwestern hospitality, is celebrated for its vibrant cultural districts and rich brewing heritage. Just steps away from the convention center, you'll find the lively Old World Third Street and Deer District, featuring:
- The Miller High Life Theatre, a glamorous venue blending historic architecture with modern amenities
- The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, home to sports and entertainment events
- The Historic Pabst Museum, with its iconic wings and world-class collections
- The Mitchell Park Domes, a unique botanical garden housed in three geodesic domes
Enjoy Milwaukee's connected downtown, where the scenic Riverwalk links restaurants, breweries, and nightlife along the water. The city's Cultural District offers stunning museums, while Discovery World on the lakefront combines science and technology with breathtaking views. Families and nature lovers will appreciate the Milwaukee County Zoo and the expansive lakefront parks.
Both the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee and Hilton Milwaukee are less than a 5-minute walk from the convention center. Each property provides exceptional dining options, lounges, and bars perfect for networking, with numerous dining and nightlife venues, from craft breweries to riverfront restaurants, also within walking distance, making downtown Milwaukee a lively and accessible destination.
Come for the training and take advantage of all that Milwaukee has to offer for a truly memorable experience!
Who Attends AJA's Conference?
AJA's conference delivers training, education, and networking opportunities to a variety of attendees, including:
- Officers
- Trainers
- Supervisors
- Administrators
- Sheriffs
- Corrections Professionals & Consultants
- Public Information Officers
- Corrections Healthcare Professionals
- Civilian Employees
- Criminal Justice Professionals
- Purchasing Agents
- Criminal Justice Educators
Important Dates to Remember
Deadline for Advance Registration.........April 5, 2026 (Save $45!)
Deadline for Housing...............................April 23, 2026
Deadline for Regular Registration..........May 6, 2026*
*Register onsite after May 9, 2026
Save $45 by joining AJA or renewing your membership!
2026 Conference Schedule
This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Visit aja.org for more information and updates.
Saturday, May 17
7am – 5pm Attendee Registration
8am – 5pm Partnership Saturday
1pm – 5pm Exhibitor Registration/Exhibitor Setup
5pm – 6:30pm Welcome Reception
Sunday, May 18
7am – 7pm Attendee & Exhibitor Registration
7:15am – 7:45am New Attendee & Nonmember Orientation: Welcome to AJA
8am – 9am Nondenominational Worship Service
8am – 3pm Exhibitor Setup
8am – 5pm Jail Tours Sign-Up
8am – 11:15am Workshops
11:30 am – 1pm AJA Opening Luncheon & Business Meeting
1:15pm – 5pm Workshops
Times TBA Jail Tours
5:15pm – 7pm Jail Expo Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Reception
7pm – 10pm Hospitality Events
Monday, May 19
7:30am – 5pm Attendee Registration
8:30am – 10am Plenary Session with Keynote Speaker
8am – 2pm Exhibitor Registration
10am – 2pm Jail Expo
Times TBA Jail Tours
2pm – 5:15pm Workshops
6pm – 10pm Hospitality Events
Tuesday, May 20
Criminal Justice Student Day
7:30am – 2pm Attendee Registration
8:30am – 9:30am AJA President’s Session
9am – 11am Exhibitor Registration
9:30am – 11am Criminal Justice Student Q&A
9:30am – 12:30pm Jail Expo
Times TBA Jail Tours
12:30pm – 5:30pm Workshops
6pm – 7pm Awards Reception
7pm – 9pm AJA Annual Awards Banquet
9pm – Midnight Club AJA
Wednesday, May 22
7:30am – 10am Attendee Registration
8:00am – 11:15am Workshops
11:30am – 12:30pm Closing Session
Conference Venue
Baird Center
400 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Meet Your Host
Safety, Innovation, and Growth Inside the Milwaukee County Jail
As the American Jail Association (AJA) prepares to gather in the "City of Festivals" this spring for the 45th Conference & Jail Expo, attendees will find themselves in a metropolitan area of nearly one million residents protected by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). At the heart of the MCSO’s public safety mission is the Milwaukee County Jail (MCJ)—the second largest county correctional facility in Wisconsin, behind the Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center.
The MCJ is a high-volume operation, booking an average of 18,000 individuals annually. While the facility maintains a total capacity for 960 occupants, leadership remains focused on managing a daily average population that regularly exceeds 900 with an emphasis on modern standards, safety, and proactive reform.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
In recent years, the MCSO has leaned into transparency and external validation to enhance its operations. Following a comprehensive audit by Creative Corrections, the jail’s leadership initiated a rigorous suite of corrective actions. The results have been noteworthy, with auditors reporting to the Milwaukee County Board that the MCJ has demonstrated a "significant commitment to corrective action, safety, and policy improvement."
This commitment is most visible in the facility's aggressive approach to the opioid crisis. The MCSO has installed NARCAN kits at every jail post involving occupant or citizen interaction and ensured that every staff member is trained in its administration.
Technology and Tactical Innovation
The MCSO is leveraging technology to create a more secure environment for both staff and occupants. In 2025, the jail upgraded its security infrastructure with:
- AI-Enhanced Body Scanners: Utilizing artificial intelligence to bolster contraband control.
- The Keywatcher System: A sophisticated key-control network managing 320 sets of keys across ten units.
- K-9 Integration: The appointment of a dedicated K-9 Commander and a new K-9 position for second-shift operations.
Furthermore, a $500,000 federal grant has allowed for the implementation of advanced de-escalation training, including a virtual reality training model. These efforts have yielded tangible results: the MCJ has seen a significant decrease in uses of force compared to 2024.
Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
Perhaps the most impactful changes are found in the jail’s clinical and behavioral protocols. The MCSO has overhauled its suicide-prevention strategy, working with the Milwaukee Police Department to develop a comprehensive protocol for incoming detainees. New crisis intervention processes in the Booking Room now ensure that individuals in mental health distress are appropriately housed within an hour.
Through the Crisis Intervention Partners (CIP) program, staff receive specialized certification to manage behavioral health emergencies. This is paired with the PATH project (Pre/Post Incarceration Access to Treatment and Healing), which provides a bridge to recovery for those with substance use disorders, aimed squarely at reducing recidivism.
Investing in Human Growth
The MCSO’s vision extends beyond mere confinement. The jail is currently onboarding the National Sheriffs’ Association’s I.G.N.I.T.E. (Inmate Growth Naturally & Intentionally Through Education) program. This initiative transforms the traditional jail model by prioritizing educational and life skills training, providing occupants with a roadmap for success upon their return to the Milwaukee community.
As AJA conference attendees explore Milwaukee, they will see a Sheriff’s Office that views public safety as a holistic endeavor—one that balances firm security with the compassion and innovation required to build a safer county for all.
Jail Expo
We would like to acknowledge the current exhibitors and sponsors of the 2026 conference in the list below, as of March 4, 2026. Visit the 2026 Exhibiting Partner Index in our Conference Program for the current list.
4Sight Labs | 440
www.4sightlabs.com
AB Staffing Solutions | 414
www.abstaffing.com
Acorn Engineering Company/Acorn Vac | 541, 543, 640
www.acornvac.com
Advanced Correctional Healthcare | 510
www.advancedch.com
Aiphone | 237
www.aiphone.com
AmeriVacS | 614
www.amerivacs.com
APIC Solutions | 307
www.apicmsi.com
Aramark | 507
www.aramark.com
ASSA, Inc | 829
www.assalock.com
Axis Communications | 714
www.axis.com
Black Creek Integrated Systems Corp | 313
www.blackcreekisc.com
Blue Knight Corporation | 806
www.blueknightcorporation.us
Bob Barker Company | 501
www.bobbarker.com
Boswell Pharmacy Services, LLC | 735
www.boswellpharmacy.com
Braeburn | 833
www.braeburnrx.com
CareerSafe | 822
www.careersafeonline.com
CGL Companies | 210
www.cglcompanies.com
Chestnut Ridge Foam, Inc. | 433
www.chestnutridgefoam.com
Clinical Solutions Pharmacy | 314
www.clinicalsolutionspharmacy.com
CML Security LLC | 613
www.cmlsecurity.us
Command Sourcing, Inc. | 639
www.commandsourcing.com
Compassionate Reprieve | 235
www.compassionatereprieve.org
Compliant Technologies | 701
www.complianttechnologies.net
Cook's Direct | 711
www.cooksdirect.com
Coreforce | 814
www.coreforcetech.com
Correct Rx Pharmacy Services, Inc | 415
www.correctrxpharmacy.com
Correctional Education Association | 312
www.ceanational.org
CortechUSA | 538
www.cortechusa.com
CPI/Guardian | 719
www.cpiguardian.com
Derby Industries | 542
www.derbyindustries.com
Design Specialties, Inc | 824
www.designspecialties.org
Diamond Pharmacy Services | 213
www.diamondpharmacy.com
Drugloo International | 431
www.drugloo-international.com
ECC | 317
www.eccoinc.com
Echodyne | 344
www.echodyne.com
Ecotensil | 438
www.ecotensil.com
eCourtDate, Inc. | 901
www.ecourtdate.com
Elmridge Protection Products, LLC | 425
www.elmridgeprotection.com
Endur ID, Inc. | 913
www.endurid.com
Federal Supply USA | 529
www.federalsupply.com
GENESYS Health Alliance | 912
www.genesyshealth.net
GEOSATIS | 726
www.geo-satis.com
GovHost | 741
www.govhost.com
Granger Construction | 917
www.grangerconstruction.com
Guard1 by TimeKeeping Systems | 224
www.guard1.com
GUARDIAN RFID | 401
www.guardianrfid.com
Hanwha Vision | 113
www.hanwhavisionamerica.com
HomeWAV | 423
www.homewav.com
Hotshot.AI | 811
www.hotshot.ai
Humane Restraint Co., Inc. | 531
www.humanerestraint.com
iCEV | 341
www.icevonline.com
I-CON Systems, Inc | 537
www.i-con.com
Indivior | 407
www.indivior.com
IntegrityQ | 524
www.integrityq.io
InTime | 413
www.intime.com
IPFusion | 828
www.ipfusion.ca
ISG | 240
www.isginc.com
iTouch Biometrics LLC | 445
www.itouchbiometrics.com
Jails and Justice Support Center | 133
www.jailsuportcenter.org
Keefe Group | 306
www.keefegroup.com
Landry Loops Inc | 511
www.laundryloops.com
LexisNexis | 412
www.lexisnexis.com/corrections
LINEV Systems US, Inc. | 101
www.linevsystems.us
Max-Secure Systems Inc. | 230
www.max-secure.com
MedSTAT | 513
www.medstatsupplies.com
Metcraft Industries | 725
www.metcraftindustries.com
MinXray | 530
www.minxray.com
Miracle Method Surface Refinishing | 823
www.miraclemethod.com
ModCorr | 928
www.modcorr.com
Morse Watchmans Inc | 827
www.morsewatchman.com
My Justice Portal | 628
www.myjusticeportal.com
Naphcare | 337
www.naphcare.com
National Commission on Correctional Health Care | 514
www.ncchc.org
National Institute of Corrections | 117
www.nicic.gov
NCIC Inmate Communications | 219
www.ncic.com
Norix Group, Inc | 617
www.norix.com
Northpointe dba equivant | 417
www.equivant-corrections.com
Numi Financial | 739
www.svcfintech.com
OD Security North America LLC | 301
www.odsecurityna.com
Outdoor-Fit Exercise Systems, Inc | 429
www.corrections-fit.com
Pace Systems | 533
www.pacescheduler.com
Pay Tel Communications, Inc | 532
www.paytel.com
Physician Correctional, USA | 411
www.physiciancorrectionalusa.com
Polaris Correctional Pharmacy Services | 534
www.polarisrx.com
PowerDMS by NEOGOV | 515
www.neogov.com/products/powerdms
Prime Coat Coating Systems | 642
www.primecoat.com
Pro-gard Products | 729
www.pro-gard.com
ProPhoenix Corporation | 712
www.prophoenix.com
QIAGEN | 713
www.qiagen.com
RaySecur Inc | 525
www.raysecur.com
Future Exhibitors and Sponsors:
With access to key decision-makers during dedicated Jail Expo hours, AJA's conference gives you the best access to your target audience to showcase your products and services. To purchase your 2026 booth, click here.
You can also stand out from the crowd and become a sponsor! Descriptions for all sponsorships can be found here.
Razor Ribbon - Atkore Security | 627
www.atkore.com
Real Time Networks Inc | 336
www.realtimenetworks.com
Reassurance Solutions | 609
www.reassurancesolutions.com
Rendevor Dialysis | 431
www.rendevordialysis.com
Romaine Companies | 107
www.romainecompanies.com
Safe Restraints Inc | 707
www.saferestraints.com
Sapphire Health | 211
www.sapphire-health.com
Schedule Express by SafeCities | 812
www.safecitiesco.com
Secure Technology Value Solution (STVS | 334
www.securetechvs.com
Securitas Technology | 810
www.securitastechnology.com
Securus Technologies | 103
www.securustechnologies.tech
Smart Communications | 601
www.smartcommunications.us
Smart Response Technologies Inc. | 727
www.smartresponsetech.com
Southern New Hampshire University | 433
www.snhu.edu/aja
Spec-Tex Inc. | 906
www.spectexinc.om
Stellar Services, LLC | 215
www.stellarservices.com
Stryker Medical | 624
www.stryker.com
Summit Correctional Services | 623
www.summmitfoodservice.com
Tek84, Inc | 610
www.tek84.com
The JonesZylon Company | 807
www.joneszylon.com
The Way to Happiness Foundation | 232
www.thewaytohappiness.org
Tidal Wave Telecom | 207
www.tidaalwavetelecom.com
TK Health | 206
www.tkhealth.care
Track Group | 212
www.trackgrp.com
TriActive USA Fitness Equipment | 315
www.triactiveusa.com
Trinity Services Group | 309
www.trinityservicesgroup.com
TurnKey Corrections | 905
www.turnkeycorrections.com
Tyler Technologies | 517
www.tylertech.com
Tymetal | 530
www.tymetal.com
Uniform Compass | 532
www.uniformco.com
Venture Architects | 339
www.ventarch.com
ViaPath Technologies | 201
www.viapath.com
Victory Supply | 531
www.victorysupplyinc.com
Vigiles Robotics Inc | 616
www.vigilesrobotics.com
VitalCore Health Strategies, LLC | 615
www.vitalcorehs.com
VitalSense Technologies | 131
www.vitalsensetechnologies.com
Wellpath | 703, 804
www.wellpathcare.com
Westwood Pharmacy | 708
www.westwoodpharmacy.com
Wexford Health Sources, Inc | 523
www.wexfordhealth.com
Whalls Group LLC | 123
www.whallsgroup.com
Willo | 715
www.willoproducts.com
Willoughby Industries | 813
www.willoughby-ind.com
YesCare | 408
www.yescarecorp.com
2026 Workshop Overview
This workshop listing is tentative and subject to change. Check www.aja.org for more offerings as we add topics of critical interest to jail professionals.
Partnership Saturday, May 16
Our participating partners this year are:
- National Commission on Correctional Health Care
- Just Detention International
- Brenda Dietzman
Agency Culture
- Creating a No-Blame Culture in a High-Blame Environment
- Lead Like It Matters: Building Self-Aware Leadership in Today’s Correctional Environment
- 2035 Corrections: Where Will We Be?
- Leading from Where You Are
- Leadership and Organizational Culture
- My Jail is Changing: A Lesson in Facility Culture
Innovative Programming
- Breaking Generational Chains: Addressing ACEs and Racial Trauma Among Incarcerated Black Fathers
- High Impact Policies and Processes to Achieve Sexual Safety
- Older But Wiser: Lessons Learned from Creating a Unit Dedicated to Older Adult Re-Entry (OAR)
- From Jail to Community: Building Seamless Pathways for Reintegration
- Reentry: No Jail Stands Alone
- From the Inside Out: A Former Madam's Guide to Working with Trafficking Survivors in Custody
- Small Jail, Big Programs
Leadership
- How to Chase Off Jailers: The Stuff I Learned in College and as Sheriff
- Presentation Skills for Introverts and Extroverts
- Leading Boomers to Zoomers: Understanding Generational Differences and the Impact Those Differences Have on Recruitment, Retention, and Building a Harmonious Workplace Culture That Promotes Safety, Wellness, and Resiliency
- Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Edge
- Leadership and the Role of the Jail Manager: The 12 Practices of Effective Jail Managers and
- The Burnout Blueprint: A Correctional Leadership Crisis
Legal Issues and Risk Liability
- Medical Hot Topics and Legal Issues
- Navigating Federal Lawsuits in Jail Operations: The Power of Documentation
- Jail Religion: Worth the Cost?
- Legal Issues in Jails Part 1 & 2
- Religious Issues in Jails
Leading in 2025
- Transformative Leadership: Crafting Culture and Inspiring Change
- Motivational Interviewing
- Leading with Insight: Cultivating Self-Awareness for Effective Leadership
- Professional Courage: Leading in a Challenging Environment
- Raising the Bar: A Look at Performance Reviews
- Leading Boomers to Zoomers: Generational Differences and the Impact on Recruitment, Retention, and the Workplace Culture
Medical/Mental Health
- From Courtroom to Care Plan: Universal Screening Approaches to Health and Justice Integration
- Reimagining Rehabilitation in Local Jails: Implementing the Trait-Based Model for Lasting Change
- From Custody to Community: A Comprehensive Model for Postpartum Mental Health in County Jails
- Navigating Competency Restoration Treatment
- Words Work: Conversational Intervention for the Every Day Crisis
- Hope, Healing, and Remembrance Through Art: Honoring International Overdose Awareness Day in a Jail-Based Recovery Program
- MOUD in Jails–Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
- Beyond the Checklist: Practical Strategies for Meaningful Quality Improvement
- Gambling with Violence
- Suicide in Jails
Operations
- Modern Jail Investigations and Challenges
- Locked In and Overflowing: Tracing the Roots of Jail Overcrowding
- From Booking to Court: How Collecting Contact Information Reduces Jail Populations and Saves Resources
- When Cons Con CO's
- Decisions by the Numbers: The Power of Data Analytics
- Caught in the Wire: Jail Escape Attempt and Lessons Learned
Security/Technology
- Reimagining Corrections: Using Predictive AI to Stop Crime Before It Happens
- Empowering Corrections Professionals: A Proactive Approach to Safety, Data, and Wellness
- Combating Human Trafficking: Jails as a Frontline in Intelligence and Prevention
- Empowering Incarcerated Learners: Leveraging Technology and Evidence-Based Programs to Drive Reentry and Reduce Recidivism
Staff Wellness
- Beautifully Broken: From Trauma to Triumph
- Boundary Basics: A Guide to Healthy Limits
- Breathing A Sigh Of Relief: Diminishing Stress Through Breathwork
- From Impact to Insight: Recovery, Resilience, and Retention After an Inmate on Staff Assault
- How Post-Critical Incident Debriefings Strengthen Correctional Staff Resilience
- Resilience at Work: Pain to Purpose
- Whole Warrior Wellness: Leading with Strength to Empower Jail Teams Through Holistic Health & Peer Support
- Safety Starts With You: Being Physically and Mentally Prepared for Your Tour of Duty
2026 Conference Housing
Hotel Rates*
*Plus applicable taxes and service charges. Subject to change without notification
Hilton Milwaukee (Host Hotel)
509 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
The Marc Hotel
640 N 6th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Conference Registration Information
Register and Save!
Take advantage of AJA's Early Bird Special and do not miss any of the workshops, training, and networking offered at the AJA's 44th Conference & Jail Expo!
Advance Registration
rates are available from January 18 to April 7, 2026, for $420 for AJA members; $550 for nonmembers.
Regular Registration
is available from April 7 to May 5, 2026, and onsite for $465 for AJA members; $595 for nonmembers.
Save $45 by joining AJA or renewing your membership!
Payment and Confirmation
Payment is required prior to the start of the conference and must be made with a credit card, check, or purchase order. Online registrants who pay by credit card receive immediate confirmation and payment receipt. Registrants submitting via email, mail, or fax receive email confirmation within three weeks of receipt. One week prior to the conference, you are sent a Fast Track email to bring with you for check-in at the AJA registration desk. If you do not receive a Fast Track email, please call Michele Florian at 301-857-2233. Badges and materials are distributed onsite.
Cancellations/Refunds
No refunds are given unless a written request is received on or before April 6, 2026. After this date, 40% of the conference fee can be refunded upon written request due to the costs associated with planning on attendance. No refunds are given after May 5, 2026. Delegate substitutions are allowed at any time, but AJA must be notified in writing.
Guest Registration
To qualify for the guest registration fee, the registrant cannot be employed in the field of corrections and must be a spouse/guest of a paying member/nonmember registrant. Guest registration provides access to all workshops and professional sessions, the Sunday Luncheon & Business Meeting, Jail Expo with lunch vouchers on Monday and Tuesday, and the AJA Awards Reception and Banquet on Tuesday night.
Full-Time Student Registration
To qualify for the full-time student registration fee, the registrant must be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited, degree-granting institution, and cannot be employed full-time in the field of corrections. A copy of student identification is required with the registration form. Student registration provides access to all workshops and professional sessions, the Sunday Luncheon & Business Meeting, Jail Expo with lunch vouchers on Monday and Tuesday, and the AJA Awards Reception and Banquet on Tuesday Night.
Block Registration
To obtain a block registration for 10 individuals or more – all at the member conference rate – contact Michele Florian at 301-857-2233 or aja@aja.org.
Non-Exhibiting Companies
Companies who are not exhibiting and who wish to attend the workshops and/or Jail Expo must register as a non-exhibiting company. To learn more about exhibiting, go to aja.org or email marketing@aja.org.
Media/Photography
By participating in AJA’s Conference & Jail Expo, you give the American Jail Association permission to photograph and/or record you and your voice on still photographs, motion picture film, audiotape and/or videotape, or any digital recording medium and to use this material, in whole or in part, through the media of television, film, internet, multimedia presentation, radio, audiotape, videotape, magazine, or in printed form or display form for the promotion of American Jail Association activities. This pertains to all attendees and exhibitors.