What is the right minimum hiring age for agencies? Looking at a recent agency that tried something new and what they discovered, host Aaron Dawson challenges us to consider other ways of thinking about “how we’ve also done it. We also discuss some recent case law and how that may impact what we all do. Copyright 2024. National Institute for Jail Op…

Pulling topics fresh from the news, host Aaron Dawson discusses body cameras, proposed legislation, and whether or not pay increases help with retention. We all have our opinions, but what does the data say? Copyright 2024. National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO), Aaron Dawson, The Shakedown Podcast. All Rights Reserved. DISCLAIMER: This podc…

Sometimes when we look back, some things are clearly obvious. In this interview, we have a conversation with Captain Tammy Waddell the Jail Administrator of the Limestone County Jail. She shares with us her path to a position of leadership, some things she’s learned along the way, some things she wished she would have known, and a few things for th…

In this episode host Aaron Dawson shares some headlines of current events within the corrections world. We take a look at these topics, some of which are informative, some of which are strange, some of which are instructive, and others are just plain humorous. We look at a wild event requiring 12 people to go to the hospital, the importance of main…

In this episode host Aaron Dawson shares some headlines of current events within the corrections world. We take a look at these topics, some of which are informative, some of which are strange, some of which are instructive, and others are just plain humorous. We look at how quickly things can spin out of control, how weather can cause issues, the …

In this episode host Aaron Dawson shares some headlines of current events within the corrections world. We take a look at these topics, some of which are informative, some of which are strange, some of which are instructive, and others are just plain humorous. We look at staffing shortages and some ideas to combat that, contraband, use of force, an…

Corrections is a career field in which advancement can come quickly at times. The result of this is someone being given a responsibility that are not completely prepared for. Even in those times when we feel prepared, there is always more that we didn’t know, and sometimes we wish we had before we took the position. In this episode, host Aaron Daws…

A challenge faced by every facility is keeping the inmate population occupied in a manner that is productive for them as well as the staff and facility. This can present a challenge! In this episode, host Aaron Dawson interviews Major Deann Cash, a Jail Administrator whose facility has found a creative…and if we’re being honest, heartwarming way to…

If we base our perception of what we do on what we see in the media we could develop a negative view. In this episode, we challenge that view. What you do matters! Copyright 2024. National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO), Aaron Dawson, The Shakedown Podcast. All Rights Reserved. DISCLAIMER: This podcast may not be distributed without written p…

Unfortunately, lawsuits are a part of the arena in which we work. Some of them are legitimate while others seem mildly ridiculous. Looking at a current lawsuit as a springboard, host Aaron Dawson discusses some simple steps we can take to make sure we are protected. Copyright 2024. National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO), Aaron Dawson, The Sh…

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson looks at some current headlines and what we can glean from them. A major part of the corrections profession is watching, observing, and controlling inmates. An often-overlooked part is watching out for our other officers. Our safety depends upon each other, and we need to be aware of what is going on and address a…

Continuing the conversation in reference to House Bill 4972/Senate Bill 3409, host Aaron Dawson has a conversation with Jail Commander Rob Yantis. Rather than focus on the minutia of the bill, they take a very practical approach to this topic. If this is the situation, how do we need to operate? How do we do our job professionally and ethically? We…

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson looks at events taken from current news focused on “Situational Awareness”. By looking at recent real-life examples, we are reminded that we work in an environment in which we must expect the unexpected. Let’s stay aware and stay safe! Copyright 2024. National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO), Aaron Dawson, Th…

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson looks at a recent case law decision and events taken from current news focused on our 8th Amendment articulated “Duty to Protect”. By looking at recent real-life examples, we can gain a sense of what to do and what not to do. Copyright 2024. National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO), Aaron Dawson, The Shakedow…

Season 3 starts off with a bang! Host Aaron Dawson interviews the Executive Director of NIJO, Tate McCotter. They discuss some recent controversial legislation regarding the elimination of solitary confinement that has been put forth in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. As is often the case in everyday life, as well as here, the RE…

It has been said that the holiday season is “either super up or super down.” Whichever it is for us depends on our mindset. If we are looking for reasons to be frustrated, discouraged, or cynical…there will always be plenty of material available. This path ALWAYS leads to heightened stress, anxiety, and can result in depression. The data is clear t…

We work in a dangerous and stressful environment…no kidding! Some of that we have no control over, but as supervisors, the cultural environment is our responsibility. Our officers need an environment in which their personality and strengths can be recognized and utilized. They need an environment that is not conducive to toxic and negative influenc…

Speaking to supervisors…what cultural environment do we create, facilitate, or allow on our shifts? In this episode, host Aaron Dawson discussed fostering a cultural environment in which our officers are free to grow. That means that they will make mistakes, but as long as they are minor mistakes as a result of the learning process…that’s growth. S…

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson continues the conversation dealing with the responsibility of supervisors. The officers are our responsibility! What do they need? In this episode the discussion centers around the “routine” of corrections. Do our officers know WHAT is expected and do they know HOW to do it? As supervisors, it’s our responsibility…

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson continues the conversation began in the last episode discussing crucial skills that supervisors must have in dealing with staff. What do our staff need from us? In this episode, we continue by discussing the third and fourth things supervisors must provide. The third item is a consistent and realistic level of int…

Jails across the country are experiencing “staffing issues.” Why? There could be a host of contributing factors, but one very likely factor is the lack of training being provided to those in supervisory positions specific to supervising people. In this episode, host Aaron Dawson discusses two things that supervisors must provide their officers. The…

In this episode, host Aaron Dawson continues the conversation with attorney Alisa Brodkowitz dealing with legal mail. In this episode, they discuss a recent case that came before the 11th Circuit Court as well as a bill that is currently being considered in Congress. The discussion moves to the benefits of using technology in jails as well as the r…

The Shakedown is excited to interview Alisa Brodkowitz, and attorney and the CEO of Lightning Law to the podcast. While at JAILCON, host Aaron Dawson and Ms. Brodkowitz struck up a conversation about legal mail and decided the discussion needed to be had on the podcast. In this episode, Ms. Brodkowitz shares some basics about legal mail as well as …

Where do suicidal ideations come from, and is there anything that we can do to help protect and fortify ourselves against them? In this episode, host Aaron Dawson continues the conversation from the previous episode, sharing some simple and practical actions we can take to provide ourselves with some layers of psychological safety. Life can be diff…

Hopelessness and despair are potent emotions that can profoundly influence us. Often, it isn’t difficult to find events in our lives to promulgate those emotions. However, we do not have to surrender ourselves to them, we can take some practical actions to provide ourselves with some layers of psychological safety. In this episode, host Aaron Dawso…

In the latest report from the CDC in reference to suicides in the US in 2022, the numbers have increased following a 2-year decrease in 2020 and 2021. This literal growing trend is something we must be aware of and confront. Suicidal ideation is most often a result of hopelessness and despair. How do we prepare for and combat these 2 causes? In thi…

Continuing in the line of thought and conversation from the previous episode, host Aaron Dawson and Josh Arnold take on the challenges facing supervisors and administrators. The responsibilities are different, and the required skill sets are just as different. Aaron and Josh share both broad and specific ideas to help supervisors and administrators…

Many might agree that “times are tough” in the corrections world. We can either sit defeated and whine, OR we can press on! In this episode, host Aaron Dawson and guest Josh Arnold discuss things that Josh has noticed in touring jails all over the country. In this upbeat and encouraging look, Aaron and Josh focus on line officers and some things th…

Continuing the “Sharpening Skills” theme, host Aaron Dawson and guest Keith Hoskins continue their conversation on listening. Last episode was focused on the facility, the environmental sounds. In this episode they focus on listening skills as it applies to personal interaction. There are great benefits that can be gained by simply listening to peo…

Continuing the “Sharpening Skills” theme, host Aaron Dawson has a conversation with Keith Hoskins. Keith served in law enforcement for 35 years, retiring as the Director of the Boone County Detention Center. Aaron and Keith discuss the difference between “hearing” and “listening”. Every Jail has sounds that communicate to anyone willing to listen. …

In a continuation of the conversation from the previous episode, Host Aaron Dawson and guest Sean Stewart move on to skills that focus on the roles of Supervision and Administration. As a line officer, the inmates and tasks of the housing unit are your primary responsibility. As a supervisor, the staff are your responsibility. What skills does supe…

Often the best place to seek advice on how to do something is to ask someone who has done it, and done it successfully. In this episode, Aaron Dawson interviews Sean Stewart, who retired after nearly 30 years of service in Corrections. Sean started as a line officer and worked his way up through the ranks to retire as a Captain. Sean and Aaron disc…

Continuing the focus on “Sharpening Skills”, host Aaron Dawson uses the 6 factors that impact plant growth and the rate of that growth, to illustrate what factors we need to be aware of for our own growth. Passion, attitude, location, perception, preparation, and root system are those factors. You may notice that all of these are within our control…

In this first episode in the series “Sharpening Skills”, host Aaron Dawson illustrates some basic principles of personal growth by looking at the growth process in plants. Growth is our responsibility! Though it may seem like a difficult and complicated process, there are so many assets all around us that can help us if we will take the time to sea…

It is very easy to listen to the legacy media and commentary pundits on social media platforms and develop the sense that what we do for a living is something that our society and culture don’t like, appreciate, or want to support. In this episode, Aaron Dawson challenges us to consider the reality of how important it is for us to do what we do and…

In the last two episodes, we have been challenged to identify why we do what we do, and then to consider how we do it. The point being to keep our vision and purpose in front of us. This motivates us in the ups and down of our profession as well as our life. In this episode, Aaron Dawson challenges to consider what success would look like if we cou…

Continuing the “thought train” from the previous episode, Aaron Dawson discusses the importance of discovering, and then regularly reminding ourselves of why we do what we do, as well as considering if how we are doing it is conducive to the vision and purpose we have established. Take the opportunity to dig in our own thought processes and goals! …

Corrections is about routine. It can seem that we do exactly the same things day in and day out. We can get numb living in the routine and forget what it is that motivates us to stick with it and stay encouraged. In this episode, Aaron Dawson discusses reminding ourselves of the “why” behind our “what”. Enjoy this healthy reminder! Copyright 2023. …

Closing the series on “Finding the Positive”, Host Aaron Dawson interviews Tate McCotter, the Executive Director of NIJO. Tate’s interaction with corrections folks all over the country allows him to bring a unique perspective to our conversation. Prepare to be encouraged and challenged as they discuss what there is in the field to be encouraged abo…

How hard is it to make a difference? In a world that seems to be consumed with the negative, it can be hard to find something to be positive about. Where can I look? In this interview, host Aaron Dawson and his guest, Jurea Williams with the North Las Vegas Police Department answer those questions. It can be difficult to make a difference, but you …

Continuing the thought of looking for the positive…Warden Dawson interviews Mr. and Mrs. Bolding, the directors of the Neighborhood Christian Center of Decatur, Alabama. During the conversation, you get a sense of both their faith and hope. A belief that there is hope and that what they are doing is making a difference! Be encouraged and be inspire…

There is plenty of material in the law enforcement/corrections field if we are looking to focus on the negative. The results of this focus, though, do not lead to a fulfilling life or career. We need to proactively focus on the positive wherever we can find it. In this spirit, Warden Dawson speaks with folks from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office a…

Continuing our recognition and celebration of Women’s History Month, Host Aaron Dawson interviews Megan Kennedy. She serves as the Division Director of Detention Health Services of Cochise County in Bisbee, Arizona. Being a medical professional, she provides some perspective that often, corrections staff don’t know, don’t understand, or don’t fully…

Continuing our recognition and celebration of Women’s History Month, Host Aaron Dawson interviews Major Deann Cash with the Forsythe County Sheriff's Office in Cumming, Georgia, where she serves as the Jail Bureau Commander. Major Cash has over 35 years of law enforcement experience, with 25 years of it being in corrections. She provides some outst…

March is Women’s History Month and in honor of that, the Shakedown is focusing on women in leadership roles within the corrections field. Host Aaron Dawson interviews Jail Commander Natasha Goins from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office in North Vernon, Indiana. Commander Goins started out as a line officer and worked her way up through the ranks …

Life can be challenging. Working in the corrections presents a host of further challenges: being under-staffed, pay disparity in comparison with other industries in the area, a seeming lack of interest in the career field, a lack of longevity among those that do apply, cultural changes in the staff and inmate population, and the list goes on. What …

In this final installment of the three-part Border Special, Aaron Dawson and Tate McCotter visit the border. You will see clips of their visit there and see actual footage of the border wall and the neglect that its received. Email your questions and thoughts to theshakedown@jailtraining.org Copyright 2023. National Institute for Jail Operations (N…

In this second part of The Shakedown's Border special Warden Aaron Dawson interviews Arizona Sheriffs who deal with the southern border and its daily impacts. They share their insights and shed more light on how the situation at the border is impacting not only them but everyone in the United States. Email your questions and thoughts to theshakedow…

To start off Season 2 of The Shakedown, host Warden Aaron Dawson takes a trip to the Southern Border with NIJO Director Tate McCotter. In this two-part series, you will learn shocking facts about the border. This episode will prove that wherever you are in the country, you're jail is being affected by the border crisis. Email your questions and tho…

Warden Dawson and special guest Barbara Gould continue the conversation about factoring in generational factors in our interaction and leadership. Each generation parents differently, values differently and is motivated differently. Understanding these factors will facilitate greater success in our interaction as well as our ability to inspire othe…