Summit Preview Guide
This year's Summit brings together correctional professionals from across the country for a dynamic, virtual experience to share practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and create a lasting system of accountability and growth.
Designed for correctional professionals navigating today's challenges, the From Challenge to Change: Redefining Jail Operations Virtual Summit delivers the tools, insights, and strategies needed to drive meaningful change in jail operations, all without leaving your desk.
Through expert-led workshops, powerful keynotes, and networking opportunities, participants will learn how to move beyond survival mode and build systems rooted in accountability, innovation, and resilience.
This year's Summit offers attendees the opportunity to receive up to 20 points towards AJA Certification, just by attending.
Keynote Speakers
November 12, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Jail Operations in 2025 & Beyond: Managing Risk Through Change - Presented by Lexipol
Gordon Graham
Correctional facilities are facing unprecedented change, from inmates with ever more complex healthcare needs to evolving contraband threats and the challenges that accompany the deployment of new technologies, such as tablets and biometrics. With change comes opportunity – but also new risks. In this opening keynote session, nationally recognized risk management expert Gordon Graham will share real-world examples to show how “problems lying in wait” can undermine even the best agencies if left unaddressed.
Drawing on lessons learned from corrections and other high-risk professions, Gordon will introduce the concept of the 10 Families of Risk and focus in depth on Organizational Risk Management. Participants will explore the Five Pillars of Success—People, Policy, Training, Supervision and Discipline—and learn how these pillars are central to change management.
By the end of this session, participants will walk away inspired to turn challenges into positive change—proactively identifying risks, strengthening organizational systems, and ultimately achieving the goal of “getting things done right.”
Learning Objectives
- Identify and categorize risks across the “10 Families of Risk” framework and evaluate which pose the greatest threat to your agency.
- Analyze historical examples of resistance to change in corrections (e.g., new hiring practices, policy shifts, technology adoption) to understand the cultural and organizational challenges leaders must overcome.
- Develop leadership strategies to guide personnel through change, ensuring that new policies, technologies, and training approaches are embraced and consistently applied across the organization.
November 13, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Unlocking Potential: Conquering the Inner Critic - Presented by Justice Clearinghouse
Col. Brenda Dietzman (Ret.)
Ever caught yourself thinking, "I'm not good enough" or "I'm not ready yet"? We all have that inner critic, and it's high time we started taming it. In this powerful keynote, we'll delve into the roots of these self-doubts and the unconscious actions and beliefs that hold us back. More importantly, we'll uncover how imposter syndrome uniquely stifles women's careers and share actionable strategies to overcome it. Learn how to win the daily battle against the inner critic that fuels our insecurities.
Join us for an information-packed session designed to provide meaningful change in your career and life. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, this keynote will equip you with tools to tame that inner critic and unlock your true potential.
Workshops
November 12, 2025
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Navigating the Journey from Line Staff to Leader
Jeff Begue, CJM
The purpose of this course is to challenge our mindset or refine our skills as we navigate the professional ladder of leadership. The transition to leader from line staff is not always a smooth adjustment; additionally, it is not always clear what's expected once we get there. This course is meant to provide a clear understanding of the best way to navigate the changes we all experience as new leaders in the correctional environment and to provide our best to all we encounter in that capacity.
Learning Objectives: • Distinguish between power and authority, analyzing their influence on leadership effectiveness. • Evaluate challenges associated with transitioning from management to leadership roles. • Uncover team members' intrinsic motivation by helping them find their "why." • Encourage a culture of empowerment, accountability, and contagious enthusiasm. • Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities through debrief and constructive feedback. • Promote teamwork and integrity as foundational values for jail culture. • Identify and address toxic behaviors through proactive and corrective leadership. • Strengthen self-leadership capabilities through reflection and investment in personal growth.
Managing Up the Chain of Command
Susan McCampbell, CJM
Emerging jail leaders often report that their agency’s leadership and members of their command staff are the “problem” or obstacles to getting things done, moving the agency forward, blocking progress, and/or effectively engaging with staff. Or are you the problem? This workshop will explore the potential obstacles to effective interactions and improvements within your agency, examine how to assess “who is the problem”, consider learning to embrace the philosophy of “first seek to understand”; and identify specific strategies to manage up the chain of command. As you examine your role in the future of your organization, this workshop will identify resources to help you in your leadership journey and assist you in modifying your approaches and thinking. Learning Objectives: • Identify obstacles to effective interactions between mid-managers and agency leadership. • Determine who might be the problem(s)? • Consider philosophy - first seek to understand. • Implement strategies for your success.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Shifting Ahead: Successfully Leading Former Co-Workers and Supervisors
Denise Diamond, CJM
When you decided to join the leadership team, did you realize the challenges that may arise from that decision? You were a great employee, helping mentor and train others, developing and finishing important projects, and doing an amazing job. When that promotion arrived, did you consider the difficulties when former co-workers now have to report to you? Will they be happy for you on your achievement? What if you moved up quickly and now you are leading a team with a former supervisor who was once your boss? Just when you think things couldn’t get any more complicated, they have. This course will consider the difficulties of leading others, especially those who were co-workers or previous supervisors. We’ll consider how to prepare for this journey and lead others who may not be excited about your success and may even want to thwart your efforts. We’ll discuss how competence can encourage others to follow you, ideas for connecting with individuals, and what to do if they simply don’t want to embrace the change that has come. Moving to the top isn’t always easy, but we will examine some proven solutions to ensure your success. Learning Objectives: • Review some steps you can take to prepare for this transition • Discuss common reactions from co-workers and supervisors • Consider how to encourage others, inspire change, and build connection • Discuss how best to deal with unhelpful managers and difficult situations • Consider what to do when it’s not working and what may help you succeed
Including the Excluded: Reaching Staff Who Don’t Feel They Belong
Diana Knapp, MS, CJM, CCE, CCHP; Marsha Travis, CJM, CCM; and Dorothy Harris, MBA, CJM
Where do you see yourself within your agency? Do you feel there is room for growth? Do your supervisors support professional growth? Where can supervisors and front-line officers help each other to become better for ourselves and the agency as a whole? Oftentimes, we feel excluded due to supervisors not listening or our own inability to express ourselves. As leaders, supervisors, and co-workers, we all can take the initiative to help each other be better and encourage one another. Toxic work environments can be draining to everyone, and in those situations that we tend to leave others out or not speak out. Let’s not get stuck in the status quo. Everyone has the right to be heard, to feel valued, and not feel afraid to voice their opinions. It’s ok to not be “ok.” This session will be an open dialogue about helpful ways to change the narrative. Learning Objectives: • Discuss concepts around whether staff can see a place for themselves in the future of the agency. • Explore and discuss ongoing staff motivation--what do staff REALLY care about? • Consider and discuss how their agency evaluates first line supervisors, and above, as a tool for ensuring support and opportunity. • Discuss ways agencies can foster professional development across all demographics. • Discuss how the ways that facilities meet operational needs, like shift coverage, can adversely impact hiring and retention.
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Leading From the Outside: Transitional Leadership in Unfamiliar Territory
Sam Davis, MA, CJM
Stepping into a leadership role in a new or unfamiliar organization can be both exciting and isolating. This course equips line staff and first-line supervisors with the tools to lead effectively when they are perceived as outsiders, new to the organizational culture, or unproven. Participants will explore strategies for building credibility, navigating resistance, and cultivating trust, even in environments where they may not yet feel fully accepted. Learning Objectives: • Identify common challenges faced by transitional leaders entering unfamiliar organizational cultures. • Apply strategies to build credibility and trust with teams despite outsider status. • Analyze the role of emotional intelligence in reading and adapting to organizational • culture. • Develop a 30/60/90-day leadership action plan focused on relationship-building • and cultural integration. • Demonstrate communication techniques that establish presence, influence, and authenticity.
Correctional Legal Updates with Carrie Hill
Carrie Hill, Esq.
Join us as we discuss recent Supreme Court activity and significant lower court decisions that affect jails across the nation. Participants will receive the most recent information on trends affecting how we manage our nation’s jails. Learning Objectives: • Analyze recent Supreme Court activity: review key rulings and their implications for jail operations and corrections management. • Examine significant lower court decisions: discuss impactful cases that shape policies and legal standards affecting jails nationwide. • Identify emerging legal trends: Understand current judicial trends and anticipate how they may influence jail administration and practices. • Apply legal insights to jail management: Equip participants with the most up-to-date legal information to enhance compliance and operational efficiency.
November 13, 2025
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Motivational Interviewing
Mané Martirosyan, MSSW, CSW
This workshop will focus on Motivational Interviewing (MI), an evidence-based communication approach designed to enhance motivation and facilitate behavior change. Participants will explore core principles of MI and will learn practical strategies to apply MI in various settings. By the end of the session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to engage individuals in meaningful conversations that promote positive change, making this workshop ideal for professionals looking to enhance their communication skills and effectiveness. Learning Objectives: • Define the core principles and spirit of Motivational Interviewing. • Demonstrate the use of key MI techniques. • Identify and manage inmate/employee ambivalence and resistance. • Integrate MI into their professional practice across various settings. • Enhance inmate/employee engagement and motivation through collaborative and person-centered communication approaches tailored to individual needs.
False Alarms, Panic Attacks, and Worst-Case Scenarios: The Role of Anxiety in Threat Detection
Dr. Bart Abplanalp, PhD
Corrections work is stressful, mentally taxing, physically demanding, and filled with potential danger that is often amplified by overcrowding and understaffing. Maintaining a safe and secure workplace means continually scanning the environment for threats, but that hypervigilance comes at a price. Tension, apprehension, worry, fear, dread, and anxiety are characteristic of life within a correctional setting. And while anxiety has generally garnered a reputation as a negative emotional state, it is actually a critical component of the brain’s threat detection system, alerting us to potential dangers often before we are even consciously aware of them. In this training, participants will learn about the mental, physical, and behavioral signs of anxiety and panic; the role of anxiety and panic in threat detection; strategies for anxiety reduction and management; and potential treatment approaches. Learning Objectives • Describe how the brain identifies and responds to environmental threats • Explain the difference between stress, anxiety, and panic • Recognize the physical, mental, and behavioral signs of anxiety and panic • Identify three strategies used for reducing and managing anxiety and panic
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Leading Change Together: Custody and Medical Reducing Risk and Improving Operations – Presented by NCCHC
Richard Forbus, MBA, CCHP
This interactive session will focus on the importance of collaboration between custody, medical, and mental health staff. We will focus on the effectiveness of regular staff interactions, including training, drills, formalized leadership and administrative meetings, data-driven decision-making, and problem-solving through Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) programs. All elements of a correctional facility operation must collaborate to ensure adequate care is provided to incarcerated individuals. Collaborative systems of care ensure care is timely, coordinated, and effective, resulting in improved patient outcomes, enhanced safety for staff and people in custody, and ultimately a reduction in risk and liability. Learning Objectives • Identify challenges associated with custody and medical care in jail facilities • Discuss vulnerabilities associated with adverse events, including suicide attempts • Define Continuous Quality Improvement and how to use it to your advantage • Explore opportunities to improve collaboration and leadership in your jail • Build relationships and engage force multipliers through leadership
Battling Burnout to Quell Quiet Quitting
Lisa Peck, CJM, and Jonathan Ede, MSCJ, CJM
This workshop will delve into the quiet quitting phenomenon and explore how burnout is often the precursor to quiet quitting. Daily, we are asked to do more with less and maintain the same quality of service the community and our agencies have come to expect. We will explore how a shift in your agency culture can mitigate or even prevent burnout and quiet quitting. Learning Objectives: • Identify the signs of burnout in staff and yourself • Identify the signs of quiet quitting in staff and yourself • Give tips on preventing and mitigating burnout and quiet quitting. • Explore how agency culture plays a role in both burnout and quiet quitting. • Give ideas and tools to start or continue to shift the culture in agencies to combat burnout and quiet quitting.
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Finding and Hiring Talent in Today's Market - Presented by the Whalls Group, Platinum Sponsor
Mark R. Whalls, Craig McGinnis, Ashley Wiles, and Eden Broggi
Join us for this comprehensive presentation on strategic talent acquisition, where members of the Whalls Group will explore how the company has evolved into a trusted partner in recruitment, especially for military veterans transitioning into civilian careers. Speakers will walk you through the company’s history, values, and mission, then dive into the core services like Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and the unique value proposition. You’ll gain insights into current market dynamics, including challenges like talent shortages and turnover, and learn how our sourcing strategies and process-driven approach help overcome these hurdles. Through a real-world case study, speakers will demonstrate how their methods have addressed critical staffing issues. The session will wrap up with a Q&A to foster discussion and share ideas. Learning Objectives • Introduce the company’s background and mission, with a focus on its commitment to recruiting military veterans and transitioning service members. • Explain core recruitment services and competencies, including the distinctions between RPO models and their suitability for different client needs. • Analyze current industry challenges, such as talent shortages, retention issues, and the impact of sign-on bonuses, while offering practical solutions. • Demonstrate effective sourcing strategies, including the benefits of veteran hiring and the importance of balancing local and relocation-based recruitment. • Showcase a case study that illustrates how process-driven recruiting can resolve staffing issues like understaffing, workplace safety concerns, and rising overtime costs.
Time Management: Where Does Your Time Go vs Where Should It Go?
Jared Schechter, MS, CJM, CCM
In this course, we will discuss where we spend time as managers, i.e., offices, computers, meetings, and other time sucks, then where we should spend our time by leaving the carpet for the tile to meet staff where they are, as we work to understand their view of their world. We will also talk about the power of connecting and checking in with employees in their workspace. Learning Objectives: • What are your priorities vs what should be your priorities? • Avoiding the 10/90 trap of management • Investing your time in your people • Being deliberately present- leaving the carpet • Addressing employee needs
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