Awards
The American Jail Association is committed to the professional growth of our nation’s jails. There are dedicated people in every organization who work long and hard to ensure their organizations continue to grow professionally. Among these professionals are some whose performance is exceptional. There are also governmental or tribal correctional facilities that have developed an innovative and progressive approach that help the industry as a whole. Jeff Easter, Sheriff, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Wichita, Kansas Charles Watley, CFC - Custody and Security, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, LaPlata, Maryland Andrew Hunt, Sergeant, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, LaPlata, Maryland John E. Polk Correctional Facility - Inmate Programs Team, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Sanford, Florida Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Bel Air, Maryland Raymond Sanchez, Assistant Deputy Warden of Custody Management, New York City Department of Correction, East Elmhurst, New York Lea Henderson, CCHP, Captain, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, Kansas City, Missouri Katie Sanduski, Lieutenant, Douglas County Department of Corrections, Omaha, Nebraska Eric Dietrich, Detention Deputy, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Wichita, Kansas Juan Benitez, Certified Lead Facilities Tech, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Sanford, Florida Victor Williams, CEO/Founder, Quest2Freedom, Miami, Florida
Honoring Dedication. Celebrating Impact.
AJA 2026 Awardees
Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award
Valor Award
Innovation Award - Large Jail
Innovation Award - Medium
Correctional Administrator of the Year
Correctional Supervisor of the Year
Correctional Training Officer of the Year
Correctional Officer of the Year
Civilian Employee of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
