MANSFIELD, Ohio — Ten years ago, as a gas station manager in her twenties and mother of two young children, Kristen Stiteler’s radar was clear of being a Corrections Officer for the Richland County Jail.
But when she saw the opportunity in 2008 to see more income and work in a more fulfilling field, she took it. Eight years later, she sheepishly accepted recognition for being one of the top 35 correctional professionals under age 35 in the nation.
Stiteler earned the recognition last week from the American Jail Association as part of its 35th year anniversary of publishing.
“I’m so embarrassed,” Stiteler said with a nervous laugh. “It’s a big honor. It’s nice to know that hard work is appreciated. And that it does pay off to work and to try your hardest.”
Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon also shared his accolades.
“She is one of the hardest workers employed by the Sheriff’s Office and brings excellence to the workplace day in and day out,” Sheldon said. “Officer Stiteler is fair, firm, and consistent towards inmates and is highly respected among her peers, supervisors, and support staff.”
Growing up, Stiteler said she wanted to be a teacher and has always been a helper. She just didn’t have a master plan for a career.
“It’s what this place, this whole entire world, needs … worker bees and helpers — more people who want to help other people,” she said.
This burning desire to help others has been noticed and appreciated before. She said it was the highlight of her career when she was named the Corrections Officer of the Year in 2011. She was nominated for the same title in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
“I never try to have any of this recognition. That’s not my goal. It’s just … I’m here for eight hours a day so why not make the most of it?” Stiteler said.
With no law enforcement background, Stiteler’s work ethic is evident to those who do have the background.
“Officer Stiteler is a person who carries out her duties to the best of her abilities and does the right thing even when no one else is watching. She brings excellence to our department and continues to fulfill our mission,” Sheldon said.
It’s that drive that pushed her to become part of a five-person team within the Richland County Jail in 2012 to revise and revamp the jail’s policies. The project involved reading and sifting through the 1,000 pages of policies.
“Them volunteering to do that is a huge asset to the jail,” Lieutenant James Myers said. “They made sure we were in compliance with state jail standards.”
Stiteler cannot explain where her drive comes from.
“I’ve always had this drive,” she said, confidently.
That’s true even in a workplace often characterized as a “man’s world,” and with 230 unpredictable inmates on any given day.
“The amount of respect that you’re given by inmates is returned by the amount of respect that you give them, no matter male of female,” Stiteler said. “I don’t find it any harder to be a female officer.
“If you treat inmates honest and fair, they will treat you that way too.”
Stiteler finds it difficult to imagine herself working any other job — she enjoys where she is now, even in the tough times coming in to work.
“I love the people I work with. That’s probably by far … the best,” she said smiling. “I think it takes a certain type of personality. And I think that’s why we get along so well, because it’s a personality trait. You have to have tough skin.”
