WILLISTON, ND ( KXNET ) — The American Jail Association (AJA) Awards Committee has selected Jennifer May, RN of the Williams County Correctional Center, as the recipient of the 2024 Civilian Employee of the Year Award.

Every year, AJA gives this coveted award to an individual who gives exceptional support to jail personnel — the go-to person when anyone has a question and are indispensable to the facility and staff.

Jennifer May was raised in Trenton, North Dakota, and graduated from Trenton High School in 1990. She continued her academic journey at Bismarck State College, Williston State College, and Dickinson State University with the following degrees: associates of science, associates of arts, bachelor’s in biology, with a minor in chemistry.

May decided to pursue her nursing education in 2003 and graduated with her RN degree in 2007.

She started working at Williams County Correctional Center (WCCC) in 2015.

May was the first medical professional to be employed by WCCC and built the medical department from the ground up, developing policies, procedures, charting, and standing orders.

She has also partnered with the local college in Williston to mentor student nurses through clinicals and preceptorships at WCCC.

In 2017, May went to the Ryan White Program to advocate for a patient diagnosed with HIV on the national level.

She was successful in bringing the Ryan White Program into WCCC to meet medical needs of this inmate with others to follow.

Recently, she has worked with her local human service center to bring counseling, peer support, and medication management to inmates with addiction/mental health issues with a goal of stopping the revolving door.

This year, she accepted an offer from the local “F5 Project” to sit on their advisory committee and help recovering addicts succeed in society.

She is married to Shad May and has three children, Elizabeth, Bruce, and Dale.

This award will be presented at AJA’s 43rd Annual Conference & Jail Expo on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, during the annual Awards Banquet.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Today's Top Stories

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KX NEWS.