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executive
director’s
remarks

Health & Wellness for Staff

We are all familiar with the I was very pleased to hear President Lambert has Chris D. Daniels
adage that you must take that AJA President Mandy started the conversation on
care of yourself in order to Lambert, CJM, had chosen staff health and wellness and
take care of others. But that “Staff Health and Wellness” is committed to ensuring that
can be difficult when you are as the focus of her President’s it remain a focus. In support of
caught in an unexpected situ­ Initiative. I feel fortunate to this initiative, we are conven­
ation where the only solution be able to support such a ing the AJA Health & Wellness
is to power through. Later, meaningful effort that will no Summit for Jail Professionals,
when there is time to reflect doubt have a positive impact October 24–26, in Columbus,
upon what happened, it may on thousands of corrections Ohio. Staff health and wellness
feel easier to just bury it and officers who give so much of is a critical factor in employee
attempt to move on. themselves to support public retention. By helping our staff
If that becomes a pattern of safety. We need to acknowl­ stay healthy and to develop
behavior, it eventually takes edge that stress is a problem, resilience, we create officers
a toll on our physical and make it OK to talk about it, who become strong and
mental well­being. And then, and ensure that a safety net invested in our facilities.
we may be tempted to engage is in place to provide support So if your agency is expe­
in behaviors—such as overeat­ when and where it’s needed. riencing challenges in these
ing or drinking alcohol—that Taking our lead from areas, I strongly encourage
may make us feel better in the President Lambert, this edi­ you to attend. Registration
moment, but only exacerbate tion of American Jails contains is open. Please visit AJA’s
the problem over time. several articles that can help website and register today as
Working in corrections your staff manage their stress. attendance to this summit is
is stressful, and that’s not On page 21, Brenda Dietzman limited. I hope to see you in
going to change. What we can discusses resilience—why Columbus.
change is how we acknowl­ it is important and how to
edge and mitigate that stress. develop it. Sgt. Beetz and CHRIS D. DANIELS, MPA, CAE
We are all responsible for our Sgt. Dejesus, training offi­ Executive Director
own well­being. After we rec­ cers from Hernando County, American Jail Association
ognize that we need help with Florida, provide information
coping, then it’s a matter of on wellness outlets for staff.
finding the resources we need. And don’t forget the facility
What may help one individual celebrations during National
cope with stress may not work Correctional Officers and
for another, so it may be neces­ Employees Week this past If that becomes a pattern
sary to explore a variety of May. Beginning on page
options. That’s when our sup­ 8, these celebrations boost
port network becomes criti­ morale, show support, and re­ of behavior, it eventually
cally important. For example, energize the staff in our jails.
this support may be a men­ takes a toll on our physical
tor program or an employee
assistance program that your
facility offers for staff. and mental well-being.

AMERICANJails SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2021 | 7