The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Deann Bertram, Programs and Classification Manager, has earned her Certified Jail Manager (CJM) certification, an elite national credential recognizing the highest standards of professional excellence in jail operations and leadership.
The CJM certification, awarded by the American Jail Association through the Jail Manager Certification Commission, is reserved for experienced correctional professionals who demonstrate advanced knowledge in areas such as jail operations, administration, leadership, resource management, and inmate programming.
Eligibility requires a combination of rigorous professional experience, education, and the successful completion of a comprehensive national examination.
Bertram has served the Walton County Sheriff’s Office for more than 14 years, during which she has become a cornerstone of the agency’s inmate services and rehabilitation initiatives.
In her current role as Programs/Classification Manager, she oversees transformative educational and vocational programs within the jail, including the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) course, Heavy Equipment Operators Course, and the Forklift Operators program.
These programs, spearheaded and managed by Bertram, provide incarcerated individuals with valuable industry certifications and life-changing skills aimed at reducing recidivism and improving job opportunities upon release.
“Deann is an integral part of our mission to change lives from the inside out,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Her commitment to professionalism and her passion for offering meaningful opportunities to those in our care embody the very best of this agency. Earning the CJM certification only further affirms what we already know; that Deann is among the most dedicated and skilled corrections professionals in the country.”
Bertram’s achievement places her among an elite group of jail managers nationwide who have demonstrated advanced competency, leadership, and a profound commitment to the field of corrections.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office congratulates Deann Bertram on this outstanding professional milestone and thanks her for her continued dedication to improving lives and strengthening our community.
