Justin Hay was born in Rock Island, IL and grew up in rural Mercer County, IL. Justin is the youngest of three and a graduate of Sherrard High School in Sherrard, IL. Justin attended Western Illinois University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Law Enforcement & Justice Administration while earning a minor in Security Administration.
Justin Hay started as a Corrections Officer with the Scott County Sheriff's Office on March 17, 2004. During his tenure at Scott County, Justin has received training and/or been certified as a prisoner transport officer, field training officer, and is a member of the jail's Corrections Emergency Response Team. Justin has achieved the designation of Certified Jail Officer from the American Jail Association and is an interpersonal communication instructor with the American Jail Association and the National Institute of Corrections. Justin has had the opportunity to step up and temporarily perform the tasks of the Corrections Sergeant position four times since 2011.