Prison Officer Podcast

In this episode I talk about Correctional Leadership.  The skills I have learned through my career when I had to deal with crisis and change.  Two of the most difficult events that leaders face.  I also discuss the difference between Tactical Leadership and Strategic Leadership and the expectations staff have of both types of leaders. Send us Fan Mail Support the show NEW RELEASE — The Weight of J...

In this episode, I sit down with Dennis Treadway, a retired Captain with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.   Dennis walks us through his career and the tips and leadership lessons he learned along the way. Dennis served as a Captain at USP Leavenworth twice ,  activating Captain at AUSP Thomson and as the Chief of Custody for a private prison in Leavenworth.  He has a varied knowledge of what it take...

The hosting platform for the Prison Officer Podcast is Buzzsprout.  First, let me tell you, I love Buzzsprout, they have helped me every step of the way in building and bringing this podcast to you.  One of the nice things Buzzsprout was send me my compiled 2020 statistics for the Prison Officer Podcast,  I would like to share them with you. From the lasting effects of COVID-19 to private prisons...

It's early Christmas morning here at our house and I just wanted to take a minute and say Merry Christmas.  Whether you are lucky enough to have the day off and get to spend it with your family, or if you are working a shift ( or two ) in one of the prisons, jails, or correctional centers around the world.  I just wanted to remind you that what you do is appreciated. I spent many Christmas an...

Retirement Day.  For most of us, this is a once in a lifetime event.  The one day most of us inside spend our shifts dreaming about.  When we don’t have to walk past those grills.  When we don’t have to spend 8 hours trying not to notice the smell of urine.  Maybe we can even let our guard down just a little with those around us and enjoy a little less stress in our lives. Well, October 24 was tha...

I saw a Facebook post the other day from the Missouri Patriot Guard and the VFW who were honoring a local veteran with a motorcycle ” drive-by” to celebrate the milestone of him turning 100 years old on September 9 of this year.   Robert “Bob” Burks, served in the US Navy during World War II from 1942 – 1945.  He was in college at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack and enlisted for service shortl...

One in five Americans works nontraditional hours, including the many staff working the off shifts in our prisons.  Someone has to be there.  Although many say they enjoy these off-shifts, it affects them.  It affects their families.  It affects their mental and physical health.  I have worked in Corrections for more than 28 years.  Twenty-two of those years included shift work.  One of the things...

In this episode, I am going to cover what I believe are the basics of working in Restrictive Housing.  Restrictive Housing is the newest catchphrase that refers to “lock-down.”  Some places call it Segregation, the Hole, or the SHU (Special Housing Unit).  Whatever it is called where you work, it is the lock-down housing unit for those inmates who either refuse to follow the rules of the open yard...

The last few months have changed the way all of us see the world around us.  The COVID-19 Pandemic, the quarantine, the masks, the death of George Floyd, the anti-police backlash that followed, the riots, the looting, it’s a lot of stress on everyone.  So, this episode I want to talk about this unprecedented level of toxic stress we are all living in.  How we can be resilient and take care of each...

In this episode, I am going to answer several of the questions this podcast has generated since it started.  In just less than 3 months, this podcast has grown to over 1300 downloads, and hundreds of Facebook likes.  But, it has also generated a lot of questions such as: What made you want to start a podcast about prison?   What positive things did you do outside of prison to stay healthy? Are you...

In this episode, I have invited Dr. Jaclyn Brandhorst as a guest.  She has been researching stress, employee assistance programs, and PTSD in a correctional setting.  She has been impacted herself by correctional stress because she grew up with it.  I know, because she is my daughter. After you listen to this episode, if you would like to contact Jaclyn, share your stories and help Jaclyn with her...

In this episode, I want to talk to the rookies and the soon-to-be rookies out there.  You applied for the job, you’ve been through the academy, and now you are working in a housing unit as a Correctional Officer.  You look around and see a lot of other officers who seem comfortable in what they do, but how do you become a good Correctional Officer?  Start by being a good rookie.  I’m going to shar...

In this episode, I want to talk about a taboo subject in Corrections.  Something that happens to everyone who works in Corrections in one form or another, yet it is rarely admitted or discussed openly.   Manipulation.   Staff manipulation comes in two forms, one is when inmates “get over” on the rules.  The other is when a staff member is corrupted by inmates to do the unthinkable. In this podcast...

One of the things I have learned working in prison is just how much leadership matters.  Whether it is the way you lead your team, your housing unit or just an inmate work detail.  Leadership matters.  What I was thinking about this week is how we as leaders handle our mistakes.  This is the first of many episodes where I will focus on Correctional Leadership. Calvin and Hobbes (Volume 1) Send us...

This episode I sit down and talk with a very special person who knows a lot about living with a Correctional Officer and the stress they bring home. My wife of more than 28 years, Kathryn.  Kathryn and I will talk about how corrections changed our social life, our children's life and our marriage. Send us Fan Mail Support the show NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from I...

An article came out this week on ESPN about UFC fighter Anthony Smith.  A UFC heavyweight, he is probably one of the most in-shape people you could meet.  That’s why his comments about fighting an intruder in his house are enlightening.  Smith described the fight as “terrifying” and “one of the toughest fights he has ever had.”  I will argue that it was not one of the toughest fights he has ever h...

My personal journey in Corrections, and how it rewarded me and changed me.  From the ancient walls of Missouri State Penitentiary to the craziness of working a mental health ward at the Federal Medical Center in Springfield, MO. Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career! by Michael Cantrell Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hire...

 Every career has an origin story — mine started almost by accident. In this first episode, I share how I stumbled into corrections, what kept me there for 30 years, and what you can expect from The Prison Officer Podcast. Whether you're brand new to the job or a seasoned veteran, this is where it all begins.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership L...

I know the podcast has been around a while, but Apple podcast wants a trailer....drop me a note and tell me what you think. Hello and welcome to The Prison Officer Podcast.  My name is Michael Cantrell and I spent over 28 years working in some of this country’s toughest prisons.   Most of you don’t know, but over 500,000 people work in jails, correctional centers, and prisons in the United States....