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president’s
commentary

A Time for Growth

Amanda Lambert, CJM The corrections profession Past President Marsha tions. I pledge to you first and
has experienced a year like Travis has been the epitome foremost that we will have
no other. No one has been of a leader for the associa- tough conversations concern-
immune from the changes tion during a time that none ing the health and well-being
that have rocked our lives as of us could have ever envi- of staff.
we once knew them. And, the sioned. As we were thrust into All too often we dismiss
changes have prompted reac- unknowns, fear, and chaos, our own stress. We are wired
tive measures in jails across Past President Travis paved a to show no emotion, look
the nation. path to conversations and col- tough, and be constantly in
Changes are challenging laboration on a level that has control. Although those traits
in our setting, but change is a pushed leadership to openly are necessary to execute our
time for growth and creativ- embrace change. As your operations, they have also
ity. Change also forces us to president, I will carry that desensitized us to tragic
view challenges through a torch and continue the work events. It is not that we do not
different lens. The American that she started. It is an abso- care or have feelings; we mute
Jail Association has adapted lute honor to represent every them. It is how we are wired.
to these changes through two one of you. The dedication Over the next year, my goal
historic moments. This year and commitment that every is to provide education that
marks our 40th year of serving one of you exhibits day in and “It’s okay not to be okay.” We
the profession, and it marks day out is inspiring. need to publicly acknowledge
the first time in AJA history that our career comes with
that a female president has Tough Conversations stress. We must find solid
issued the Oath of Office to a My journey has brought me and innovative solutions for
female successor. here, amongst the finest in any what plagues our corrections
profession. I am content when professionals. And as leaders,
I am surrounded by correc- we must demonstrate how
tions professionals. We speak to manage that stress. Stress
the same language, and words affects everyone. Now is the
I pledge to you first and do not have to be spoken for time to make staff wellness a
us to understand one another. priority—just as we prioritize
You have entrusted me to rep- the safety and security in our
foremost that we will resent you, and for that I am institutions. If ever there was
humbled and gracious. a year to begin addressing
have tough conversations However, my year as AJA work-related stress, it is 2021.
president is not about me. It
concerning the health and is truly about you, my col- We Survived
leagues, and our friends in
We did it. We operated our
the field. Together we have an facilities despite the pandemic
well-being of staff. opportunity not only to focus and did so fearlessly.
efforts on assuring that we are
recognized as consummate Continued on page 66
professionals, but also ensur-
ing that all who work in our
environment recognize the
stress associated with correc-

4 | MAY | JUNE 2021 AMERICANJails