Prison Officer Podcast

After nearly three decades in corrections, I returned to the prison where my career began. Walking those old cellblocks brought back memories I hadn't thought about in years—the lessons, the mistakes, the friendships, the fear, and the moments that shaped the leader I eventually became. In this deeply personal episode of The Prison Officer Podcast , I take you behind the walls of the institut...

Every corrections leader eventually faces the moment when the order coming down the chain doesn't sit right — when policy, pressure, or politics puts your people at risk. Leading up isn't insubordination. It's one of the highest forms of leadership. In this episode, we're talking about how to manage your boss, influence decisions above your pay grade, and still protect the men...

Corrections gets judged by headlines it didn’t write, so I’m taking you behind the scenes of a month that reminded me why this profession deserves real respect. From Correctional Officers Week events to national recognition, I share the moments that felt like the “best of corrections” and the lessons we can bring back to our own agencies. We start at the One Voice United conference (link below), w...

We talk with Captain Tevin Dixon about the road from Oklahoma DOC Correctional Officer to shift supervisor and the mentors who shaped his calm, respectful leadership style. We also break down the gate incident with a derogatory provocateur and why professionalism, transparency, and peer support matter when corrections gets tested in public.  We also dig into what shaped Tevin’s leadership long bef...

A correctional officer gets assaulted at work and someone shrugs it off as “part of the job.” That mindset is poisoning recruitment, accelerating burnout, and making prisons more dangerous for everyone inside. We sit down with Jeffrey Noble, a 39-year corrections professional who rose from correctional officer to warden and later worked inside Ohio’s legislative oversight world, to explain why And...

Most use-of-force problems don’t start with bad intent; they start with bad preparation. We’re talking with Joe Buice, a lifelong martial artist and retired sheriff’s office lieutenant who has spent decades in corrections, led high-liability teams, and now serves as Pepperball’s Director of Implementation. The result is a practical, no-theory conversation about what actually keeps officers safe in...

Announcement!  Behind the Wall is Live! https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer Silence 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 bigg...

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 post...

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...

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 hi...

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, failur...

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...

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...

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. Gre...

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:...

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 in...

I saw a man once walk out of the Missouri State Penitentiary after three decades with a few dollars and no plan. I  remember that moment—and this is why I am glad Missouri has set out to build something better. Come behind the scenes with us at the MCA/MPPOA fall conference for a candid tour of what’s actually working: “soft handoffs” between institutions and field teams, mental health continuity...

Joshua Ryle brings over two decades of corrections experience to this deeply insightful conversation about the hidden psychological patterns that shape corrections culture. From his early days at the Tennessee Department of Corrections to his current role as a training sergeant, Ryle has observed firsthand how the corrections environment creates behavioral patterns that affect officers both profes...

What does it take to navigate the most dangerous prisons in America while maintaining both safety and humanity? Pete Bloodworth's extraordinary 35-year journey through corrections offers profound insights into this question. From his early days as a Marine Corps sniper to becoming one of corrections' most influential tactical innovators, Bloodworth's story reveals how military disci...

What makes a truly effective correctional leader? In this thought-provoking episode, Michael Cantrell draws from decades of experience to unpack the three essential qualities officers desperately want from their supervisors: knowledge, willingness, and courage. Correctional officers seek leaders who possess deep knowledge about policies, case law, and facility operations—creating a foundation of c...

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman brings decades of expertise to this powerful conversation about the psychology of violence, trauma response, and the vital role corrections professionals play in society. Drawing from his groundbreaking research that shaped books like "On Combat" and "On Killing," Grossman frames correctional officers as society's essential "sheepdogs&...

What if everything we thought we knew about training correctional officers was based on flawed assumptions? In this eye-opening conversation with Myles Cook, we explore how questioning basic training objectives can transform outcomes across corrections. Miles brings 15 years of diverse experience spanning corrections, patrol, narcotics, investigations, and academy instruction to tackle one of our...

This is a Re-Broadcast of ILEETA Live!  Yyou can find more episodes here:    / @ileeta  Two nationally recognized voices in corrections. One powerful conversation. ILEETA Live is back July 16 at 7:30PM CST. This month: Michael Cantrell and Gary York—both published authors and respected subject matter experts—join us to talk leadership, resilience, and the real-world challenges facing today’s corre...

What happens when a police officer's career evolves into revolutionizing corrections technology? Alisha Shoates-James takes us on her remarkable journey from patrolling Nashville streets to developing innovative tablet solutions that transform prison environments nationwide. Drawing from her seven years in law enforcement and extensive experience as a federal probation officer, Shoates-James...

When was the last time you heard a positive story about what happens inside America's jails? For most of us, these facilities only make headlines when something goes wrong—an escape, a use-of-force incident, or a facility failure. But as Major Shaun Klucznik reveals in this compelling conversation, corrections professionals save lives, change futures, and demonstrate extraordinary leadership...