Page 9 - 2021_American Jails NovDec

executive
director’s
remarks

Thank You for the Opportunity

to Serve

“Thank you for your service.” This edition of American Once again, thank you to Chris D. Daniels
If you are a veteran, you Jails recognizes the veterans all of our veterans for your
have likely heard this state- in our nation’s jails—both service. And to all our correc-
ment numerous times from officers and inmates. In tions staff, thank you for your
many people. Although I these pages, readers will service as well to our com-
always appreciate the senti- find “Brothers Supporting munities. If my expression of
ment, the first response that Brothers,” as several jails gratitude didn’t flip the switch
flashes through my mind is highlight their programs for in your mind to “thank you
“thank you for the opportu- veterans operated by veterans. for the opportunity to serve,”
nity to serve.” I also recommend turning to I hope that someday it will.
For most of us, military page 70 to “Meet the Marine Consider how the challenges
you’ve faced have sculpted
service was a transformational Corps Installations Brig” in you into the person you’ve
Okinawa, Japan, and page 56,
experience that had a lasting where inmates at the Camp become.
impact on our lives. We were Lejeune Brig are training dogs
young and impressionable, to help their veteran brothers. Those who give the most
and put into situations where of themselves to our society
our only option to getting Speaking of tenacity, the are the ones who are the most
through it was by relying on second article in Brenda admired, respected, and hon-
our tenacity and military train- Dietzman’s resilience series ored by others—and the ones
ing. We didn’t realize it at the can be found on page 15. The who have the most reasons
time, but the challenges we first article was published in to be proud when they reflect
encountered were sculpting the September/October 2021 back upon their lives.
our character, transforming edition of American Jails.
us into the kind of person we Then beginning on page 43, CHRIS D. DANIELS, MPA, CAE
would become later in life. AJA provides the first pre- Executive Director
Military service instilled view for the 41st Conference American Jail Association
a belief in ourselves that we & Jail Expo in Long Beach,
could overcome anything—if California. On location May
we set our mind to it. As a 21–25, 2022, we are excited
veteran myself, that belief has that our conference can pro-
stayed with me for my entire vide attendees with education
life. and networking. In addition, Military service instilled a
If you reflect on your career Long Beach is the perfect
in corrections in the same place to recharge and refresh belief in ourselves that we
our commitment to adapt
light, you may notice the and excel in our jails and our
many parallels. Life’s lessons communities. Registration and could overcome anything—
never come easily. Because housing for the conference
you experience them in a jail open on November 17th. Mark
as a corrections officer, they your calendars! if we set our mind to it.
certainly may not seem like
they are building your tenacity
in the moment. That perspec-
tive that comes with time and
reflection.

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