Stronger Together: Reflections on the 45th Annual AJA Conference & Jail Expo

The American Jail Association’s 45th Annual Conference and Jail Expo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, brought together correctional professionals from across the country for several days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. From the opening sessions to the closing workshops, one theme remained constant throughout the conference, the future of corrections depends on our willingness to learn, lead, innovate, and support one another.

Attending the Conference and Jail Expo continues to be one of the most valuable professional experiences in corrections, and this year’s conference once again demonstrated why AJA remains so important to the future of our profession.

As I begin my tenure as the President of the American Jail Association, I am both humbled and energized by the dedication of the professionals who attended this year’s conference. Whether attendees were seasoned executives, frontline staff, healthcare professionals, educators, or first-time participants, everyone contributed to an environment focused on improving outcomes for staff, incarcerated individuals, and the communities we serve.

This year’s conference schedule reflected the complexity of modern corrections. The educational sessions addressed nearly every aspect of jail operations and leadership, including officer wellness, healthcare, recruitment and retention, legal issues, reentry, leadership development, mental health, accreditation, technology, investigations, and organizational culture. The diversity of topics showcased the reality that today’s correctional professionals must be adaptable, informed, and prepared to lead in increasingly challenging environments.

Wellness and Resilience

One of the strongest themes throughout the conference was wellness and resilience. Sessions such as “Whole Warrior Wellness: Leading with Strength to Empower Jail Teams Through Holistic Health and Peer Support, “Breathing a Sigh of Relief: Diminishing Stress Through Breathwork,” “Resilience at Work: Pain to Purpose,” and “The Burnout Blueprint: A Correctional Leadership Crisis” highlighted the growing recognition that staff wellness is essential to operational success.

Correctional professionals face extraordinary stressors every day. Long hours, staffing shortages, exposure to trauma, and the constant demands of maintaining safety and security can take a tremendous toll. Yet this conference demonstrated that agencies across the country are working to create healthier cultures where staff are supported mentally, emotionally, and professionally. The discussions emphasized peer support, self-awareness, resilience training, leadership accountability, and the importance of reducing stigma surrounding mental health.

The focus on wellness extended beyond staff. Sessions such as “Developing a Mental Health System Beyond ‘Firefighting’ Crises”, “Self-Injury in Jail: Beyond the Suicide Watch Protocol”, and “From Custody to Community: A Comprehensive Model for Postpartum Mental Health in County Jails” reminded attendees that correctional facilities are often the largest mental health providers in their communities. Effective correctional leadership today requires collaboration between custody, healthcare, behavioral health, and community partners.

Leadership

Another major area of focus during the conference was leadership. Sessions including “Authentic Leadership: Essential Skills for Professional and Personal Sustainability”, “Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Edge”, “Leadership and Organizational Culture”, Leading from Where You Are”, and “Leading Like it Matters: Building Self-Aware Leadership in Today’s Correctional Environment” challenged attendees to think deeply about what effective leadership looks like in corrections today.

Leadership in our profession is about more than rank or title. It is about influence, integrity, communication, accountability, and service. It requires leaders who are willing to listen, mentor, adapt, and inspire. Many presenters emphasized that organizational culture begins with leadership and that sustainable change requires intentional effort. The conference reinforced that leadership development must occur at every level of an organization.

Recruitment and Retention

The conference also addressed one of the most pressing issues facing corrections nationwide: recruitment and retention. Sessions such as “How to Chase off Jailers: The Stuff I Learned in College and as Sheriff”, “Taking the Job for the Day and the Pay:Shifting the Mindset”, and “Leading Boomers to Zoomers: Understanding Generational Differences and the Impact Those Differences Have on Recruitment, Retention, and Building a Harmonious Workplace Culture” explored strategies for attracting and retaining the next generation of correctional professionals.

Across the country, agencies are competing for talent while simultaneously working to maintain morale and operational readiness. The discussions in Milwaukee reflected the importance of creating positive workplace cultures, investing in professional development, and ensuring employees understand the significance and value of their work. Today’s workforce wants purpose, mentorship, flexibility, and opportunities for growth. Agencies that adapt to these expectations while maintaining professionalism and accountability will be best positioned for long-term success.

Innovation

Technology and innovation were also front and center throughout the conference. Sessions such as “Saving Lives and Improving Outcomes with Technology”, “Reimagining Corrections: Using Predictive AI to Stop Crime Before It Happens”, and “Empowering Incarcerated Learners: Leveraging Technology and Evidence-Based Programs to Drive Reentry and Reduce Recidivism” demonstrated how correctional agencies are embracing innovation to improve safety, efficiency, and outcomes.

The conversations surrounding technology were balanced and thoughtful. Attendees explored both the opportunities and responsibilities associated with emerging tools, including data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital learning platforms, and communication technologies. These discussions reinforced the importance of using innovation strategically and ethically, while remaining focused on the human element of corrections.

Correctional Healthcare

Healthcare and accreditation also remained central themes throughout the conference. As someone deeply committed to correctional healthcare and professional excellence, it was encouraging to see continued emphasis on accreditation, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. High performing facilities understand that healthcare, custody, and administration cannot operate in silos. Successful agencies foster partnerships and shared accountability to improve safety, reduce liability, and enhance outcomes.

Programming and Reentry

Reentry and programming also received significant attention during the conference. Sessions reflected the growing recognition that successful reentry begins during incarceration. The conference showcased innovative programs focused on education, competency restoration, substance use treatment, case management, and community partnerships. These efforts are critical not only for the individuals in our custody, but also for public safety and community well-being. Effective reentry strategies reduce recidivism, strengthen families, and improve outcomes for entire communities.

Jail Expo

Equally impressive was the jail expo hall, which featured more than 186 exhibitors representing nearly every area of correctional operations and support services. Vendors and industry partners showcased innovations designed to improve security, healthcare delivery, communication, staff support, training, and operational efficiency. These partnerships are important because they help agencies identify practical solutions to complex problems.

Exhibitors showcased advancements in correctional healthcare, behavioral health treatment, substance use disorder services, inmate communications, transportation, staffing support, educational programming, surveillance systems, biometric technology, security equipment, compliance tools, and facility infrastructure. Vendors demonstrated products and services designed to improve safety, efficiency, accountability, and outcomes for both staff and incarcerated individuals.

Connection through AJA

One of the greatest strengths of the American Jail Association is the ability to connect professionals with the partners, tools, and resources needed to meet the challenges of modern corrections. Staying engaged with AJA means staying connected to the people and innovations helping move the profession forward.

I encourage correctional professionals at every stage of their careers to become actively involved in the American Jail Association. Membership in AJA provides access to education resources, professional certifications, networking opportunities, policy discussions, leadership development, and national best practices that strengthen both individuals and organizations.

For newer professionals, AJA offers mentorship, training, and opportunities to build valuable professional relationships. For experienced leaders, it provides a platform to share knowledge, shape the future of the profession, and advocate for meaningful improvements in corrections. Most importantly, AJA connects professionals who understand the realities and responsibilities of working in the field.

I encourage every correctional professional at every level to stay connected, stay engaged, and continue investing in their professional growth. Plan to attend the next annual conference and jail expo in Spokane, Washington, May 22–26, 2027. Participate in training by visiting americanjail.org for information on upcoming training opportunities. Share your expertise. Mentor future leaders. Get involved with AJA committees and initiatives. Take advantage of the resources available through our association.

Together, we can continue building stronger agencies, healthier workplace cultures, safer facilities, and more effective correctional systems.

The future of corrections depends on all of us. And after the conversations and collaborations that took place in Milwaukee, I am confident that future is in capable hands.

Elsie Judon, MS, CJM, CCHP

President American Jail Association