Prison Officer Podcast

Announcement! Behind the Wall is Live! https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficerSilence doesn’t stay empty for long. When correctional agencies refuse to talk about what happens behind the wall, someone else will gladly explain it for us, and they’ll usually pick the most extreme version. From the ILEETA conference, I take one simple line, “nature abhors a vacuum,” and apply it to one of the biggest challenges in corrections: who controls the narrative of prison life, jail incidents, and use of force.We get specific about what the public rarely sees. A 30-second YouTube clip won’t show the hours of de-escalation that happened before a cell extraction. A headline counting jail deaths may skip the cause, the medical response, and the reality that correctional officers perform CPR, cut people down, and intervene in violence far more than outsiders assume. In a world of doom scrolling and sensationalism, partial facts become “truth” fast, especially when movies, scripted TV, and even inmate podcasts fill in the blanks.We also push back on the idea that this is just a PR issue. Our goal is light, not spin. That means sharing real context, owning mistakes when they happen, and inviting the people who shape policy to see the real environment: legislators, judges, and community leaders taking honest tours, not staged walkthroughs. If we want smarter conversations about public safety, accountability, and prison reform, we have to start with accurate information.Subscribe to the Prison Officer Podcast, share this with someone who thinks they already know what prison is like, and leave a review with the biggest myth you want corrected.Send us Fan Mail Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

What if your first real job at 20—walking onto a men’s medium-security yard—became the foundation for a lifetime of leadership, policy savvy, and humanitarian impact? That’s Judi Simon Garrett’s story, and it upends a lot of what people think they know about prisons, “solitary,” and the people who run complex systems under pressure.Judi explains why training that centers presence, words, and posture mattered more than keys and cuffs, and how overtime on the toughest posts built credibility that no title could. Judi breaks down the myths around solitary confinement, reframing it as restrictive housing with services, checks, and human contact. The leap is from prison to a more controlled prison—not from a living room to a dark cell—and sometimes that move protects both staff and the individual. We talk about safety, suicide prevention, and the hard truth that a few people cannot safely live in groups. Then we pull back to language and policy: why lumping everyone in custody under one gentle label hides critical differences, how rehabilitation is a door people must choose to walk through, and why measuring systems only by recidivism misses the point.We also honor the Bureau of Prisons legacy—from Sanford Bates to modern growth—highlighting professional culture, continuity of leadership, and a mission that kept programs alive even as populations surged. Judi shares candid leadership lessons: humility over ego, influence over authority, context over commands. Finally, we pivot to her current work leading aid for Jewish communities in Ukraine, where logistics, transparency, and storytelling now deliver food, medicine, and care to tens of thousands. It’s a full-circle look at service: macro policy that keeps people safe and micro moments where one family gets the help they need.If this conversation challenged your assumptions or gave you a clearer view of corrections and leadership, share it with a friend, subscribe for more thoughtful episodes, and leave a review to hSend us Fan Mail PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

In this episode of the Prison Officer Podcast, host Michael Cantrell speaks with Justin Stevens from Desert Waters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to correctional officer wellness. They discuss Justin's journey through the corrections system, the importance of leadership and training, and the role of peer support in addressing mental health issues within the field. The conversation also touches on the normalization of trauma in corrections, the need for a wellness culture, and the public's perception of corrections professionals. Justin shares insights on how Desert Waters is working to improve staff wellness through training and resources, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality in peer support and the need for a shift in how corrections staff are viewed by the public.justin@desertwaters.comhttps://desertwaters.com/Send us Fan Mail PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

In this episode of the Prison Officer Podcast, host Mike Cantrell speaks with Joe Willis, the Deputy Executive Director of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA). They discuss the importance of instructor development in law enforcement, the unique offerings of the ILEETA conference, and the value of networking and community among trainers. The conversation highlights the diverse classes available, including certifications, and the significance of emotional intelligence and decision-making in corrections. They also touch on the future of training, including innovations in technology and the importance of collaboration across different sectors of law enforcement.The nights matter as much as the days. Emerson Hour hits hard with nine-minute talks that spark laughter and tears. Tuesday stacks an author meet-up, whiskey night, and a competitive cornhole tournament. Wednesday shifts to a relaxed lounge and cigar night, and Thursday’s Symbols of Service brings a patch and coin exchange plus trivia to honor identity and build bonds. It’s deliberate by design: connect, learn, reflect, repeat.We bridge a divide that should not exist: patrol, corrections, and community supervision share core skills. Decision-making under pressure, emotional intelligence, defensive tactics, less lethal judgment, and investigative thinking belong to the entire justice ecosystem. Add the future-ready edge—VR, synthetic training environments, and panels led by researchers and seasoned trainers—and you get practical tools you can apply on day one.Ready to join a world-class community that raises the bar for training? Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow instructor, and leave a review with the one skill you think trainers overlook most. Send us Fan Mail PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.OMNIOMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail. Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Two gym riots. Same tools. Completely different outcomes. That’s the pivot point Robert Sorensen brings to the table as we dive into less lethal tactics, executive buy-in, and the real cost of undertraining in corrections. Robert spent 27 years in government service—lieutenant, emergency preparedness officer, NTOA section chair, and internal affairs special agent—and he’s candid about fear, failure, and what finally worked.We walk through the practical lessons that turned chaos into control: how inmate mindset dictates munition effectiveness, why tabletop drills and contingency planning decide outcomes, and the simple way to flip leadership from “no” to “go” on modern tools. Robert lays out the case for 40mm accuracy, not as a cool upgrade, but as a liability reducer that protects staff and inmates by making point-of-aim, point-of-impact a reality when it matters most.From there, we confront today’s front-line threats. Fentanyl exposure has already taken lives, and Robert breaks down decon protocols and sodium-chlorite solutions designed to oxidize powders in seconds—plus a defense cleanse that shrinks OC and PAVA recovery from 30–40 minutes to minutes. Then we go vertical: drones are now the easiest path for contraband into secure facilities. Robert outlines entangling 40mm counter-UAS rounds and autonomous intercept systems that bring down drones with minimal collateral risk, along with the policy gaps and budget choices holding agencies back.SoRite Products - https://sorite.com/NTOA - National Tactical Officers Association - https://www.ntoa.org/Email Robert - rsorensen@sorite.comSubscribe, share with your team, and leave a review with the one upgrade you’d prioritize now.Send us Fan Mail PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.OMNIOMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail. Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

This is a "Best of" from January 16, 2023, Episode 24 in remembrance of Mark Schieber, who passed away on November 17, 2025.  We sit with former MSP assistant warden and historian Mark Schreiber to trace Missouri corrections from segregated tiers and whistle calls to cameras, structured movement, and a museum that fights tornadoes and time. Stories of investigations, integration, inmate culture, and saving archives reveal how people, not just buildings, define the work.• starting at MSP in 1968, early mentorship and undercover work• major cases, investigations and use of force evolution• pay, professionalism and building maximum-security capacity• integrating a segregated prison and managing factions• “colonist” inmates, reentry fears and modern life gaps• cameras as deterrence, logistics during riots and moves• preserving history: ledgers, photos and museum plans• EF3 tornado damage, tours recovery and future headquarters• inmate art, tools like line sticks and Oregon boots• new book Forgotten Shadows and why people matter mostHere is Mark's Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mark-schreiber-obituary?id=60095560Shanks to Shakers: Reflections of the Missouri State PenitentiarySomewhere in Time (170 Years of Missouri Corrections)Send us Fan Mail Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

We walk through the hard truths of hospital escorts: layers of security vanish, complacency creeps in, and small mistakes become big risks. From intel control to room setup, we share a field-tested checklist to keep officers, medical staff, and the public safe.• controlling timelines and blocking leaks• gathering inmate intel and risk factors• conducting full inmate and vehicle searches• using maximum restraints and wheelchairs• hospital reconnaissance and secure entry points• room layout, line of sight, and door control• protecting medical staff during care• anti-fatigue tactics and accountability• professionalism in public and clear communication• training needs and administrative supportMake sure you like, subscribe, go to our website and check it out thereAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSend us Fan Mail PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.OMNIOMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail. Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Five years in, the mission feels sharper than ever: equip correctional professionals with tools, mindset, and purpose that hold up under real pressure. We look back on a year of travel and training, thank the partners who help us serve, and pull together the most impactful moments from conversations that changed how we read risk, teach skills, and define what a good day on the tier looks like.Greg Williams and Brian Marren break down human behavior pattern recognition in a way that clicks on contact: master the baseline, spot the deviation, act before escalation. From the “watching the watcher” concept to recalibrating your mind at every threshold, their insights show why anticipation beats reaction and why prisons are the ultimate classroom for sense-making. We build on that with practical training talk from Myles Cook, who turns skills into a repeatable process: define the real problem, design adult-learning solutions, and leave with a pitch your leaders can approve and measure. It’s training that sticks because it solves something that hurts.We also get grounded in purpose with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, who frames corrections as a life of daily sacrifice in service of public safety. That perspective threads through Pete Bloodworth’s story of earning trust at USP Marion, where open bars and lever locks demanded courage and clarity, and Jimmy Cummings walks us through a can’t-make-this-up escape tale that proves the job will surprise you no matter how many shifts you’ve worked. Along the way, we share updates on my upcoming new books—The Weight of Justice and Echoes of the OzarksIf these insights help you work smarter and safer, tap follow, share with a teammate, and leave a review on your podcast app. Your support helps more officers find tools that matter and keeps this community learning together.Send us Fan Mail PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.OMNIOMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail. Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

The job doesn’t wait for your feelings to catch up. That’s why we unpack a clear, practical way to stay steady under pressure—using Stoicism as a daily tool for safer shifts, better decisions, and a healthier mind. We get honest about chaos on the unit, the pull to react fast, and how a few disciplined choices turn tension into control.We break down the dichotomy of control for correctional work: you can’t dictate inmate choices, staffing levels, or last-minute OT, but you can own your tone, readiness, professionalism, and tactical patience. We explore emotional regulation without suppression, the real difference between responding and reacting, and how firm, fair, and consistent behavior lowers risk and builds trust. You’ll hear why cynicism grows behind the walls, how it erodes judgment, and the Stoic virtues—wisdom, courage, justice, temperance—that keep bitterness from becoming your baseline.Leadership matters even more when the stakes climb. We look at humility versus ego, setting culture, keeping communication open, and using a Stoic pause before big decisions. We also tackle moral injury: enforcing policies you don’t support, witnessing violence, and carrying stories the public never sees. Stoicism helps separate what’s yours to control from what isn’t, so you can act with integrity inside your lane and protect your mental health over the long haul.If you want tools you can use on the next shift—reflection prompts, de-escalation habits, and mindset resets—this conversation delivers a field-tested playbook. Listen, share it with a teammate, and tell us one thing you’ll choose to control today. If the show helps, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it on to a partner who needs the Stoic pause.Send us Fan Mail PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.OMNIOMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail. Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Leadership in corrections doesn't come from a badge or title—it emerges from integrity, trust, and the willingness to shield your team during difficult times. Matthew Hyde, leadership strategist and author of "From Rookie to Rank," shares his remarkable journey from new correctional officer to CERT Commander without formal rank.Matthew's story begins with an unexpected path into corrections after brief experiences in college and the National Guard. Within six months of starting at a county jail, he was selected as a Field Training Officer, discovering his natural talent for developing others. The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Matthew discusses becoming the first non-ranking CERT Commander in his department's 25-year history. Rather than attempting to assert dominance over higher-ranking team members, he built trust by acknowledging their experience and seeking their input. "I established that when you walk into the CERT locker room, there is no rank—we're just positions," he explains, detailing how this approach eventually earned him respect across generational divides.Perhaps most valuable are Matthew's insights on leading through organizational challenges. He candidly shares his experience protecting his team during difficult administrations, emphasizing that when leadership falters from above, frontline supervisors must continue shielding their staff. "You still got to lead. Your people depend on you," he insists, offering practical wisdom for navigating politics while maintaining operational excellence.From Rookie to Rank https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-rookie-to-rank-matthew-hyde/1147422532Send us Fan Mail PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.OMNIOMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail. Command PresenceBringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.comSupport the show=======================Support the mission and go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Behind the Wall, you will get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, leadership discussions, and tools designed for correctional professionals who want to grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePrisonOfficerContact me: mike@theprisonofficer.comTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcastContact us:  mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!