YORK COUNTY, SC – Three York County Detention Officers have earned the national designation of Certified Jail Supervisor (CJS) by the authority of the American Jail Association through the Jail Manager Certification Commission.
Lt. Jessica Hall, Lt. Crystal Blauser, and Lt. Lindsay Henson all successfully completed an application and examination jointly prepared by the American Jail Association and the Jail Manager Certification Commission. Certification in jail operations is a demonstration of competency and professionalism in the field. It documents the mastery of a strong level of knowledge in the specialty and demonstrates continuing education and growth.
In addition to this accomplishment, each, along with Sgt. Michael Plyler, completed and graduated from the York County Detention Center Leadership Development Program, Level II. This program is the second in a three-part series meant to enhance leadership abilities and knowledge in jail administration. Level II of this program focuses on the impact that they, as individuals, have on those around them, whether it be their peers or those that report directly to them. The initial training includes leadership in action, mentoring and coaching, teamwork, time management, and more. During the 6–8 months of the program, each individual had the opportunity to shadow and train in several specialized areas of the facility, including operations, programs, professional standards, training, and medical services. The goal is to increase their knowledge of how the detention facility operates as a whole. In order to graduate from the program, each must retain the knowledge and pass a written test that includes information about all of those areas, as well as legal liabilities and jail practices. This program also required the four of them to create a proposal for a program that would impact staff around them. This group designed a Peer Mentor Program in order to provide quality mentoring/coaching to new and veteran staff. The program is now under review and policy creation for implementation.
These four individuals each have goals of becoming a part of the command staff in the future, and the agency desires to help train them and prepare them for those positions. As they move towards the third level of the program, they will begin to learn more about the executive positions in the agency.
The American Jail Association is a national, nonprofit, educational organization delivering professional development, personal certification, and advocacy services to correctional personnel at all ranks and operational levels working in this nation's 3,200+ jails and detention facilities. It is the only association of its kind that focuses exclusively on issues affecting today's jail professionals. Appointed by the association's Board of Directors, the five-member commission administers the Certified Jail Manager program in addition to the Certified Jail Officer program, sets policy, and assures the two programs reflect the changing needs of the profession.
For more information, visit www.americanjail.org/education/certifications/
