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“The best thing about AJA is how our asso-
ciation looks like our nation. People from all
walks of life have not just been represented
in our membership, but in our leadership as
well. We are blessed to have this diversity in
thought and perspective, and it has helped
us to be such an amazing association!”

SHERIFF ELIAS DIGGINS, MPA, CJM, CCE
Denver (Colorado) Sheriff Department
AJA President, 2019–2020

“As a founding member of AJA, I have lots of memories of the early
days. And AJA’s first few years were not, by any measure, ‘smooth.’
The old National Jail Managers Association and the old National Jail
Association had entrenched members who had difficulty giving up
their positions as officers in each of their organizations to combine
into the American Jail Association. There was even a heated dis-
cussion on who would be the first President. A ‘compromise’ was
reached to make Ray Coleman of NJMA the first President, and for
Sheriff John Newhart (Retired) of NJA to become the first (and only,
as it was soon abolished) Chairman of the Board of Directors. AJA
has come a long way since those days over 40 years ago!”

JAMES A. GONDLES JR., CAE
AJA President, 1985–1986

1990 1990 2015 2015 2021 2021

1981 1981 1987 1987 1989 1989 2005 2005

1986 1986 1988 1988 1997 1997 2009 2009 2019 2019

 In-service training tools  AJA begins conducting
designed for agencies to training seminars
provide their own in-house nationwide.  AJA establishes its Code of
training are introduced. Ethics for Jail Officers.
 Norma Lammers, AJA’s
first female President,
takes office.

AMERICANJails MAY | JUNE 2021 | 35