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HIGHLIGHT FROM

Health &

WELLNESS SUMMIT

FOR JAIL PROFESSIONALS

Strategies for Increasing

Resilience and Retention

On October 24–26, 2021, the American Jail Association
held its inaugural fall summit on staff health and wellness in
Columbus, Ohio. The effects of stress on jails and their staff is
a critical issue in the corrections field. AJA President Mandy
Lambert’s President’s Initiative is raising awareness of the
importance of staff wellness and health—and its effect on
recruitment and retention.
This intensive three-day summit was designed to deliver
tools to address the mental, physical, and spiritual health of jail
staff and meet all of our four stated goals. The first goal was
to acknowledge the immense toll a career in local corrections
Program Chair Brenda Dietzman
and Summit Chair Marsha Travis. takes on the jail professional. The day-to-day stressors can
cause good officers to leave the profession for the sake
of their health and well-being as well as the stress their
President Lambert presents the Ray chosen career has on their families. Providing
Coleman Administrator of the Year avenues to build resilience and better ways to
Award to Deputy Chief Fred Meyer.
deal with trauma encountered on the job was
the second goal; a mentally and physically
strong officer is one who will stay in the
field. The third goal was to provide tools to
help administrators with retention. Finally,
the fourth goal was to provide attendees
with a space to rejuvenate, relax, and
engage with their peers in person.

AMERICANJails JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2022 | 53