Women in Corrections

The Denise Smith Women in Corrections Breakfast

The Women in Corrections Breakfast is a cherished annual event hosted by the Western
Region Jail Association, dedicated to celebrating and empowering women within the
corrections field. With a focus on camaraderie and professional development, this breakfast
gathering brings together female professionals from across the region to network, share
experiences, and gain inspiration from esteemed guest speakers. This event serves as a
platform to recognize the invaluable contributions of women in corrections and to foster a
supportive community that champions their achievements and advancement within the
field. Each year, attendees eagerly anticipate engaging discussions, insightful presentations,
and meaningful connections that fuel their passion for their work and drive positive change
in the corrections landscape.

Date: October 1, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. (Please be sure to register for the breakfast to ensure a proper count for meals.)
2025 Speaker: Diana Knapp, Director, Jackson County Detention Center in Kansas City, MO

Diana Knapp has served as the Director of the Jackson County Detention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, since 2018. With more than 30 years of experience in the criminal justice field, her career has spanned adult and juvenile systems across state, federal, and municipal levels.

She began as a Probation and Parole Officer with the Missouri Department of Corrections and steadily advanced through a range of roles, ultimately serving as Assistant Superintendent at an adult male facility. Her leadership experience also includes opening a juvenile residential program for youth aging out of foster care, managing a mental health initiative for municipal inmates, operating a federally contracted halfway house, and overseeing juvenile residential and detention centers for the Jackson County Family Court.

Diana currently serves as First Vice President of the American Jail Association’s Board of Directors. She has also co-chaired the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and sits on the Legislative Affairs Committee. She holds a BA in History and Secondary Education from
Pittsburg State University and an MA in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College. Diana is a Certified Corrections Executive (ACA), a Certified Jail Manager (AJA), and a 2022 graduate of the Jail Executive Institute.

Past Speakers:

  • Judge Erin deHart, General District Judge for Pulaski and Radford Courts – 2024
  • Superintendent Kim Haug, New River Valley Regional Jail – 2023
  • Sheriff Vanessa Reese Crawford, Petersburg, VA – 2022
  • Marie Vargo, VADOC Warden Ret. – 2019
  • Phyllis Randall – 2018
  • Captain Cindy Caldwell, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office – 2017
  • Major Mandy Lambert, Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail – 2016