Read Our Employee Interview
Juvenile Justice Spotlight
Steve Jett
Consultant
Agency: NPJS and Jett Corrections Consulting LLC
Location: Garden Valley, ID
1. Tell us about some of your past work, such as you time as the Director of Southwest Idaho Juvenile Detention Center
“So, I started asking around and sending my employees to visiting other detention centers, changing ours around, and making it a better situation for everybody. We did some creative things like bringing pets – including riding horses with the kids – and other things, like having other county executives come in to teach them about cooking, banking, etc,. It helped show the kids that we care about them and they appreciate that.””
2. What led you to become part of the Sheriffs’ office?
“My dad was a police officer when I was a kid in New Jersey, helping me to understand some of the things that went into serving in a law enforcement role. It was a great teaching ground that helped lead me to the kids, which was a lot of fun. And, oh yeah, I needed a job (laughs again).”
3. You also had your own company, Jett Corrections Consulting. What one thing were you able to learn that was different than being part of a JDC?
“That I hated the paperwork side of running a business. Also, I learned that there are some places, detention, corrections, or rehabilitative centers with some people who were there just for a paycheck, even at the top levels. Staff didn’t even want to come in for training and that was frustrating. I got to see some really well-run facilities and unfortunately, those that weren’t so well-run.”
4. Are you still active with your consulting company?
“Jett Corrections Consulting LLC is still active, but for the time being I really only have one job now, working with Wendy Leach in Wyoming for NPJS. In the past, we have worked together on several other projects in places ranging from Hawaii to Rikers Island. The Wyoming project may not be my last job, but I may be getting close.”
5. When I say the word, “mentor”, who is it that you think about and what is something you were taught that sticks with you today?
“That’s an easy one. Earl Dunlap and David Roush. They taught me to think outside the box and they’re both people I was comfortable going to when I needed answers. In fact, just a couple of months ago I referred to back to one of their publications to help with the Wyoming project.”
6. In either your current role or a previous one, what is your one experience that stands out as your favorite or most memorable?
“Oh, man! During one of the two terms I served as President of the National Juvenile Detention Association, I also got to be the NPJS Chair. That was helpful because I got to meet and talk with so many people from all over the country.”
7. Whether it’s a co-worker or the youth you’ve worked with, what is one consistent piece of advice you find yourself giving?
"It was something I learned early on from NJDA. I did an online course based on the Kouses and Posner book, ‘The Leadership Challenge’. One of the first things they tell you is to challenge the process. For example, can you take a proven, 5-step process and turn it into a 4-step process? I’ve had a number of employees – even some just coming in – take that advice and make some great changes. Another piece of advice I’d give, especially if you are in a leadership position, is this; When presented with an idea, do not automatically say, ‘No we can’t do ____ because of ____________! (In a detention center, the roadblock was usually security issues).’ Instead say, ‘Yes, we can do _______ IF we can overcome the _____________ challenges by planning accordingly.’ My detention center kids fixed lawnmowers and motorcycles, grew gardens, made butterfly nesting houses, sewed hats for newborns in hospitals, helped with local school projects, and many other things. It just took planning. The last piece of advice before I shut up is simple. While they are in your custody, you need to be doing everything you can to make those kids better when they leave than when they came in. Otherwise, the public has a duty to fire you.”
8. From your perspective, how can the current state of juvenile justice improve?
“Stop running JDCs like they’re a jail. That really bothers me. In some parts of the country, they are behind the curve in how they should do things. They need to get out of their bubble and see what else is out there. Utilize resources, like NPJS, to help them improve in any number of ways. Don’t stay on your island. Go off the island and see things in a different.”
9. Who is Steve when he’s away from work?
“Away from work, I like to travel, My wife and I went to Spain in 2023, Scotland last year and will hopefully head to Japan next year. I still haven’t been to one state – Alaska – but hope to take a cruise there soon. We like to camp as well. I like to play the guitar, and really most anything outside.”
10. What is one thing you’d like to add?
“I tell people this story. When I was at a statewide Sheriff’s and Chiefs of Police event, I told several people that I spent 27 years running a 90-bed juvenile detention center. In response many said, ‘Oh, there is no way I could ever do THAT’. So, I’d say to the people in juvenile justice, be proud of what you do, the impact you have, and understand that a number of the kids you work with will turn out great, in part, because of your efforts.
Lastly, be there for those kids. Sometimes the detention officer is the best role model for them. There is a reason my officers used to get wedding, graduation and baby announcements from kids who passed through our doors.”