Prison Officer Podcast

In the realm of correctional facilities, the roles and challenges of those who maintain order are often misunderstood and overlooked.  Doyle discusses the trajectory of becoming deeply involved in union activities, from his early days in law enforcement to his current role in advocating for the welfare of correctional employees. He outlines the initiatives taken by the National Correctional Employ...

In this episode, I speak with Commissioner William Marshall and get an inside look at the West Virginia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  We learn about his path from State Police to Corrections Commissioner.  We discuss the department's evolution into more training, enhanced career paths, and the future of corrections.  We also discuss the West Virginia Department of Corrections...

Joe Gunja's career trajectory from a military police officer to a regional director is not just a tale of personal achievement, but also a story of the varying levels of inmate-related issues and the work required in the different roles.   Joe reveals a career where promotions often come with intricate challenges and highlights the importance of adaptability and leadership in correctional env...

 A prison is a place of violence.  Pretty quickly, as they begin their sentence inside, other inmates categorize each other as Predator or Prey.  As a Hunter or the Hunted.  Their role is determined by whether or not they have the strength to stand up against the other inmates.  Will they run and hide in their cell, or will they stand and fight?  Will they be abused, or will they be the abuser?  L...

Walking the corridors of HMP Manchester, former Prison Officer and author Neil Samworth—known as Sam—witnessed the stark realities of prison life, a tale he recounts with raw honesty in "Strange Ways: A Prison Officer's Story." Join us as we step into Sam's world, where the line between guard and guarded blurs, and where humanity faces its toughest tests. Our conversation trave...

His four decades in the Bureau of Prisons have equipped him with a library of stories, and in our latest episode, Art's candid reflections peel back the curtain on the daily grind of corrections work, from the first clang of the prison doors to the intricate challenges of managing inmate programs. His tales are not just a narrative of personal growth within the Bureau but a masterclass on the...

This episode doesn't just chronicle Larry's experiences, it delves into the heart of what it means to uphold justice in one of the most challenging environments imaginable. He shares vivid details of the 'death watch,' the procedure leading up to executions, and provides a sobering glimpse into the complexity of enforcing the death penalty. Larry's personal connection to t...

In today’s episode, we talk with former BOP Captain Glen MacDonald about doing the right thing, even when it is tough.  Glen walks us through many of the decisions throughout his life and career, where doing the right thing was not popular.  Despite being shunned by staff, loss of promotions, and horrible stress, Glen persevered. Glen also shares his passion for staying active, including CrossFit...

Glen's reflections on the internal battles correctional officers face—such as finding drugs and corruption within their ranks—are eye-opening. These revelations highlight the lesser-known aspects of prison life and the constant vigilance required to uphold the law within its walls. The discussion around the corruption he witnessed, and the challenges it posed to his own moral compass, undersc...

It is not merely the high-stakes nature of maintaining order that this interview touches upon. The psychological toll of being a correctional officer is scrutinized through "Bama's" heartfelt story. He takes us through the day-to-day operations within the prison walls, where he encountered a gamut of scenarios – from gang violence to his own personal battles against stress and despa...

In this episode, I talk with Bronner "Bama" Allen about his interesting career that started at The North Carolina Department of Corrections which led to a 21-year career with Federal Bureau of Prisons where he retired.  But Bama wasn't done yet, he returned to where he had started at The North Carolina Department of Corrections, and where he still works today.  His story shares the...

In this episode, I talk about the fourteen years I worked around mental health inmates.  Suicide, self-harm, schizophrenia, depression, and pedophilia, all affect the running of your housing unit.   I will discuss some of the more common mental illnesses you will encounter working in corrections and some of my tips for managing some of the most difficult inmates to supervise. Finding Your Purpose:...

In this episode, explore with me the strategies that forge resilience and cohesion in correctional tactical teams. I discuss how shared experiences bond a team and why selecting the right individuals is vital to maintaining a positive dynamic.  Learn about the decision-making that goes into team structure, and specialized roles, and how a careful balance of discipline and personal development can...

In this episode, I interview Keith Hellwig.  Keith has been in law enforcement for over 40 years. He has worked in State and County Correctional facilities and is a certified Law Enforcement Officer.  He retired in March of 2017 from Corrections holding the rank of Captain. He continues to work as a Police officer for two rural departments. Keith obtained his formal education from the University o...

In this episode I reflect on the Wardens I have worked for over the years.  Some were amazing leaders, others were good examples of what not to do as a leader.  A prison Warden can be one of the toughest jobs.  Always trying to balance that line between whatever political issue headquarters is pushing and what is best at a local level for your staff and inmates. Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Pe...

In this episode, I talk with John Motel about his career, leadership lessons, the transfer of maximum security inmates from MSP to JCCC, and his five seconds of fame when he made the last radio call from the old Missouri State Penitentiary.  After ten years in the United States Army, John went to work for the Missouri Department of Corrections eventually promoted to Major and retiring after 30 yea...

In this episode, I speak with Percy Pitzer.  Percy has had a long career in corrections starting with the Bureau of Prisons, he rose through the ranks, eventually retiring as Warden.  After returning to work in private corrections, he started his own corrections audit company, Creative Corrections.  Percy and his family have also started the Pitzer Family Education Foundation.  The foundation has...

After having this discussion over and over, I finally decided I am going to share my thoughts in a podcast about the use of restrictive housing.  I have worked and seen the good, bad, and ugly.  At the end of the day though, restrictive housing is necessary!  I agree that many of our inmates need programming that prepares them for the outside world.  I also agree that many of our inmates are crimi...

In this episode, I talk with Dr. John "Jay" Lawrie about his career and get some insight about the current trends in Criminal Justice education.  Jay Lawrie retired from the Connecticut Department of Correction after a 20-year career at the MacDougall/Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield Ct.  He then joined the faculty at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Ct., where he current...

In this episode, I talk with Gary York, author of The Toughest Job .   Author, columnist, and even TV actor...:-), Gary has a varied and interesting career.  We talk about all things corrections, from staff manipulation, being married to a correctional officer, staff wellness, and much more. Gary began his career with the Department of Corrections as a correctional officer.  He was promoted to pro...

This week I was a presenter at the Missouri Correctional Association's (MCA) Fall Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks, MO.  We had a great time as I talked about Leadership - It's Your Journey and Staying Positive in a Negative Environment .  After the classes, I was able to set up the podcast remotely and do several interviews with MCA members at the conference while they were in betwe...

In this episode, I talk with Michael about his path from law enforcement/correctional officer to keynote speaker and author of Greatness Beyond the Badge.  We talk about the importance of self-awareness, reaching your potential, and taking the leap into greater things in your life. Michael Laidler has worked in law enforcement for nearly two decades. He has served with distinction in numerous posi...

In this episode I talk with Dan M. Reynolds.  Dan is the author of several books about the Oklahoma State Pen, his experiences, and much more.  Dan M. Reynolds takes his subjects directly from more than 30 years of correctional experience.  Dan started as a case manager and would later take positions as classification auditor, administrative assistant, deputy warden, and finally as warden/administ...

In this episode, I go back through the e-mails and messages to The Prison Officer and answer those questions that I think can apply to everyone working in corrections. I talk about lying to your bosses, the difference between working minimum and maximum security, why I come across as such a hardass and more. Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career!...

In this podcast, I sit down with Robert Greenwood.  Robert has 35 years of experience working for the Michigan Department of Corrections in prison administration and community corrections. He has worked as a corrections officer, resident unit officer, transportation officer, trainer, cell block supervisor, captain, and deputy director of safety and security at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry. A...