National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO)

At JAILCON Cental we decided to award a second Executive Director Award! The second award went to Sandy Horton of the Kansas Sheriffs' Association. Sandy Horton grew up in Crawford County, Kansas, and began his 33-year career with the local sheriff’s department while still attending Pittsburg High School. For the last 17 years of his career with Crawford County, Horton served as sheriff until retiring in January 2013. After retiring, he remained active in the world of law enforcement as Executive Director of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association. Sandy did a lot of great things as sheriff but this Executive Directors Award is focused on the great work he has done to benefit jails as Executive Director of KSA. Sandy made it clear that jails and jail issues were going to be discussed at their sheriff’s conference, and over the past decade, he has done just that. Horton worked closely with exceptionally proactive sheriffs, and the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association went to work to address jail issues. Having worked closely over the past 15 years with numerous states during his role as Executive Director of NIJO, Tate McCotter, recognizes the amount of concentrated and sustained effort it takes to make these kind of changes, changing the narrative that jails are not 2nd fiddle. KSA is an incredible organization. They do so much with much less resources than many states. Though their staff is small (and their budget is too!), the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association has strong sheriff leadership with an exemplary board that is all in and fully engaged. Sandy is recognized for his amazing effort and Kansas county jails appreciate what he has done and continues to due to elevate their role in their eyes and the eyes of sheriffs – not just in the state of Kansas but others as well. Congratulations Sandy Horton!

At JAILCON Cental we decided to award a second Executive Director Award! The second award went to Sandy Horton of the Kansas Sheriffs' Association. Sandy Horton grew up in Crawford County, Kansas, and began his 33-year career with the local sheriff’s department while still attending Pittsburg High School. For the last 17 years of his career with Crawford County, Horton served as sheriff until retiring in January 2013. After retiring, he remained active in the world of law enforcement as Executive Director of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association. Sandy did a lot of great things as sheriff but this Executive Directors Award is focused on the great work he has done to benefit jails as Executive Director of KSA. Sandy made it clear that jails and jail issues were going to be discussed at their sheriff’s conference, and over the past decade, he has done just that. Horton worked closely with exceptionally proactive sheriffs, and the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association went to work to address jail issues. Having worked closely over the past 15 years with numerous states during his role as Executive Director of NIJO, Tate McCotter, recognizes the amount of concentrated and sustained effort it takes to make these kind of changes, changing the narrative that jails are not 2nd fiddle. KSA is an incredible organization. They do so much with much less resources than many states. Though their staff is small (and their budget is too!), the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association has strong sheriff leadership with an exemplary board that is all in and fully engaged. Sandy is recognized for his amazing effort and Kansas county jails appreciate what he has done and continues to due to elevate their role in their eyes and the eyes of sheriffs – not just in the state of Kansas but others as well. Congratulations Sandy Horton!

The Executive Director Award goes to an individual that has made a significant and profound impact upon the corrections profession that may fit outside of the scope of the other awards but deserves much recognition. As we thought about that description and this year’s award at JAILCON Central, there was an important individual we wanted recognize. That individual is Sheriff John Fletcher. After graduating from Goodland, KS, he began his law enforcement career working in the Jail in Russell County, KS, as well as taking on EMT shifts. He was later a patrol officer for the City of Russell until he was selected by the Governor to be the Russell County Sheriff in 1999. John was re-elected as Sheriff multiple times. While in office, he graduated from the FBI National Academy and served as president of the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association. It goes without saying that his wife, Heather, put up with a lot. John eventually retired in 2015, but he apparently didn’t know what retirement meant, as he continued serving faithfully as the Deputy Director of the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association until his untimely death this year, June 20, 2024, at his home. While fulfilling his role as Deputy Director of KSA, he also served as the Russell County Administrator from 2013 to 2024. John is a guy who quietly worked behind the scenes, knew everybody, and had a way of getting things done–the ultimate worker bee. His viewing and funeral reflected just how loved John was and the impact he made on people. We are in the people business and John knew how to treat people. We have been blessed to work with him and are beneficiaries of his dedicated work and devotion to our profession. His wife Heather could not be at the luncheon, but Kansas Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director, Sandy Horton, was there to accept this award on her behalf.

This morning we continue congratulating JAILCON24 Central Award Recipients! Our next award is the Detention Facility Innovation Award, and this was awarded to the Linn County Detention Center, Kansas. The Linn County Jail has made huge strides since opening a new facility in August of 2022. Linn County went from housing 17 inmates in house in a jail originally built to hold 10 in the 1970s. Linn County was spending in the upward amounts of $350,000 a year to house inmates at surrounding counties when space was needed. The New Linn County Jail can now hold 96 inmates including holding inmates for surrounding counties and The US Marshal Service. The jail staff has grown and overcame the obstacles. Included in these changes are: housing federal inmates, discovered and implemented new technology, and constantly working to improve and help inmates and the community. Linn County Jail staff have been very helpful to several neighboring counties by helping with policy writing, training, and assisting in the reconstruction and building of new facilities. Their staff is always able and willing to help anyone in need. Congratulations Linn County Detention Center!

Next we congratulate Jeremy Dye of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office (IN) who was awarded the Dedication to Excellence Award. Captain Dye worked his way up from line staff to the Jail Commander. He has experience in all divisions of the jail as well as doing transports and training. He is very passionate about his job and genuinely cares about the wellbeing of all employees at the jail and is constantly looking for ways to improve the working environment and gives the employees incentives to do better. He recognizes those who go above and beyond and consistently pushes for more staff and higher wages. Captain Dye leads by example and acknowledges the concerns of his fellow officers. He recently developed policies and procedures that have assisted in a better safe environment for the Officers. He was one of first Jail Commanders in the County that was not a merit officer and he knows all the struggles that line staff along with administers go through in order to run the jail. He is able to relay that information to those who do not know. Congratulations Captain Dye!

Our next award is the Detention Supervisor of the Year Award. This Award went to Johnnie Leggett of the Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility, KS. Staff Sergeant Leggett supervises and oversees the facility’s five vocational programs – textiles, embroidery, canine CARES, agriculture, art & design, and security for the education programs. In addition he has introduced innovated approaches to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness within the facility. This includes creating a framework for Corrections Officer Apprenticeship for Soldiers transitioning out of the service to enhance their chances of employment and quality of training. He plays a pivotal role in those he supervises professional growth and development by providing ongoing training and mentorship. Nearly each one of his subordinates has been promoted under his watchful care. He continues to be a role model for corrections specialists and demonstrates honesty, fairness, and ethical behavior. He actively participates in the Army Corrections Brigade Wellness Committee and Program, representing the MJRCF. He continually is seeking his own progressional development including NIJO trainings, a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue, and brings this home to use as a supervisor. From his Master Sergeant “SSG Leggett embodies the qualities of an exceptional leader, demonstrating consistent leadership, integrity, and support. His work has been profoundly felt by staff and inmates, making him a deserving candidate for this prestigious award.” Congratulations SSG Leggett!

This morning we are continuing to highlight our award recipients from JAILCON Central. We start today with Kayla Johnston, from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, KS. She was awarded the Detention Officer of the Year award. Kayla has been a very involved employee. She has made herself an important member of the Crawford County Jail team by volunteering to instruct training on restraint devices as well as other specialized parts of corrections, including helping and training all new employees. She takes her job very seriously as well as the responsibility of training, while maintaining her daily duties and tasks. She likes to take charge of the shift when necessary and is not afraid to make decisions. Kayla is willing to work when she is needed and tries to find new ways to help and make the work environment better, including organizing staff parties, holidays, and group outings to help better morale. Kayla has shown that she cares about her co-workers and helping to improve the work environment. From her captain, “I do believe that she brings more to work than just another day. She will complete her tasks when asked to and will show that she is willing to help out. Kayla has been a go to employee from the start. I believe the recognition will reinforce her willingness to go above and beyond and show that she is appreciated.” Congratulations Officer Johnston!

Please join us in congratulating Toni Gilman from the Parks County Sheriff's Office (IN) who was awarded the Healthcare Professional of the Year Award! Nurse Gilman has served at the Parke County Jail for over 7 years through the contracted medical provider. Prior to her employment at the facility the medical department lacked stability and continuity. Nurse Gilman quickly organized the medical department and put measures in place to ensure excellent patient care. Nurse Gilman is dedicated to the smooth operation of the medical unit both while on and off-site and is well respected by both agency staff and patients. The agency recently transitioned to a new medical provider and Nurse Gilman was instrumental in ensuring a successful transition. Nurse Gilman does an excellent job at keeping Command Staff informed of patient medical conditions and provides direction for their care as well as the Nurse Practitioner on patient care needs. She is reliable and dedicated to both the agency and patients. Congratulations Toni Gilman!

These individuals were unable to attend the Awards Luncheon at JAILCON. Please join us in congratulating these Award Recipients. To learn more about them and their accomplishments, please visit our Awards Summary at: https://hubs.la/Q02VmCFr0 #JAILCON24C #JAILCONAwards #NIJO

Join us in congratulating individuals who earned NIJO Professional Certification in August 2024. NIJO Professional Certification is a professional designation—earned not issued—for those who have demonstrated that they possess the requisite understanding, knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities to function to a specific level. NIJO provides three distinct levels of professional certification for individuals seeking for career development and advancement in their field. - National Certified Corrections Officer - National Certified Corrections Supervisor - National Certified Corrections Executive Congratulations to these hardworking individuals! If your goal is to advance your career this year, we recommend NIJO's Certification program! You can learn more at https://hubs.la/Q02S3kw70 #NIJOCertification #NCCO #NCCE #NCCS #earnednotissued #NIJO #JailTraining #CorrectionsTraining #CorrectionsCertification #CorrectionsProfessionals #ProfessionalCertification