The American Jail Association’s 34th Annual Conference and Jail Expo features live demonstrations and plenty of education covering hot topics.

On Sunday, correctional personnel at all levels will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, to mark the start of the American Jail Association’s annual meeting.

Association: American Jail Association (AJA)

Conference: 34th Annual Conference and Jail Expo

Venue: Charlotte Convention Center

The expo floor will feature cool corrections-related technologies, such as devices that detect inmates’ contraband cellphones, and education sessions will address subjects that are top of mind to jail professionals. On the docket: sessions on how to handle inmates’ medical and mental health issues, prevent escapes, and build a better jail library.  Three other things worth noting:

Early bird. Attendees eager to kick off their learning a little sooner can attend Special Topics Saturday. Four daylong workshops are complimentary for attendees—as long as they register in advance due to limited space—and will address areas like how to best handle relationships with the press and public and how to build a crisis intervention team.

Community understanding. The incarceration rate for Native Americans is significantly higher than for other groups. To help corrections personnel better understand this prison population, the conference is offering a Tribal Nations track. Workshops will cover a number of areas, including medical care procedures and how to allow inmates the freedom to practice their religion while maintaining a safe and secure environment.

Next generation. Tuesday, the last day of the conference, is Criminal Justice Student Day. AJA gives students free one-day passes to the show so they can tour the exhibit hall, attend a session, and take part in a Q&A with active corrections experts.

Of course, you’re free to watch the meeting through AJA’s social channels. Your best bets are Facebook and Twitter (#Americanjail).

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