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.

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NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast 

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 takes to be highest ranking Custody officer in a prisons and the struggles that come along with it.

Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

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Support the show

NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast 

In this episode, I sit down with Dennis Treadway, a retired Captain with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.   Dennis walks us through is 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 takes to be highest ranking Custody officer in a prisons and the struggles that come along with it.

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 and recruitment I will review some of the biggest challenges facing Corrections in 2021.

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Support the show

NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast 

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 and other holidays working inside, and despite everything, I do have some good memories of those times.  Maybe the inmates would try a little harder, or maybe the staff was in a better mood, or maybe everybody was just a little distracted by the decorations, or the change in schedules for the holidays.  Whatever the reason, holidays tended to be a pretty good day to work in a prison…as good days go anyway.

The Midnight Shift Before Christmas

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Support the show

NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast 

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 that day.  I am now a retiree from the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  After 21 years with the BOP and 8 years with the State of Missouri I walked out the front door for the last time.  I could have still gone a few more years, but as I have heard many retiree say before, “you know when it is time.”  

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Support the show

NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast 

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 shortly thereafter. He served as a Pharmacist Mate in the Pacific Theater and was interestingly “loaned” to the United States Marine Corps on the island of Samoa to function as a medic helping treat soldiers involved in the brutal campaign to recover the South Pacific islands taken by the Japanese early in the war. Bob was able to return 25 years ago to be reunited with the people of Samoa and be honored accordingly. 

You know, I love our veterans and it was great to read Bob‘s story about his heroic service in the Pacific.  As I continued to read, at the bottom of the post, almost as an afterthought was written: “After his military service, his work included 31 years as a guard at the Federal Medical Facility in Springfield.”  I myself worked at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, MO for 14 years.  Thirty-one years as a guard at USMCFP Springfield is an absolutely amazing feat all by itself.  

I reached out to the organizers to make contact with Mr. Burks and I am extremely happy to tell you that in today’s episode, we are going to talk with Mr. Burks and hear about his amazing life and his time as a prison officer.

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Support the show

NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast 

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 I found the most challenging over the years is working midnight shifts.  I am okay with evening shift (although my it kills your family time), but midnight shifts kicked my ass.

Making Night Shift Work: A Practical Guide for the Night Worker

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Support the show

NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast 

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 or those inmates who have “checked in” from fear or the debts they have accumulated.  Many of these basics are also relevant to mental health and high-security units.

So what does it take to work Segregation?

Leave a comment on Facebook and let us know what you think are the basics of working Seg.

If you enjoy the Prison Officer Podcast, remember to share these episodes with your friends, family and co-workers.

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 Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer by Michael Cantrell

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast 

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 other as we make it through these challenges.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

NEW RELEASE — The Weight of Justice: Leadership Lessons from Inside America's Toughest Prisons: A Correctional Officer's Journey

Buy on Amazon or Kindle: https://amzn.to/3PLr5tR

Available worldwide through Books2Read: https://books2read.com/WeightofJustice

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBeog5

See Michael's books and author updates at:
 www.CantrellWrites.com

🎙️ Support The Prison Officer Podcast

Go deeper with The Prison Officer Podcast on Patreon. Inside Behind the Wall, you'll get:

• Exclusive content
 • Behind-the-scenes insights
 • Leadership discussions
 • Bonus episodes and resources

👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/ThePrisonOfficer

📬 Connect with Michael

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Website: www.theprisonofficer.com

Take care of each other and be safe behind those walls and fences.

#prisonofficerpodcast