Prison Officer Podcast

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 evolution of federal prison systems and the strategic navigation of career progression within such a demanding field.

The landscape of correctional work is fraught with complexities, and Art doesn't shy away from discussing the nuances of his profession. He delves into the transformation of work programs,  and the unique considerations when overseeing diverse inmate populations. Post-retirement hasn't slowed Art down; he continues to impact the field through his consultancy and auditing roles, emphasizing the significance of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and the importance of maintaining a humane approach within the industry's strict regulations.

You can reach Art here: [email protected]

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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 

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 the topic through a family tragedy brings an intimate layer to this discussion, one that offers a rare blend of professional duty and personal introspection.  He also shares his well known Correctional Officers prayer, used in many correctional officer memorials.

If you would like to Contact Larry [email protected]

Larry's Book - Execution Day Journal https://www.amazon.com/Execution-Day-Journal-Larry-Peoples/dp/1499199759

The Mock Riot https://www.mockprisonriot.org/

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 

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 and “rucking,” and how completing more than 120 GoRuck events has allowed him to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

This episode is Part 2 of 2, so be sure and listen to Episode 75: Doing What's Right, Even When It's Tough - Interview w/Glen MacDonald - Part 1

Mainline S & C podcast with Glen MacDonald

GORUCK | The Rucking Company

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 

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, underscores the complexities of working in corrections.

This episode is Part 1 of 2, so be sure and listen to Episode 76: Doing What's Right, Even When It's Tough - Interview w/Glen MacDonald - Part 2

Glen also shares his passion for staying active, including CrossFit and “rucking,” and how completing more than 120 GoRuck events has allowed him to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Mainline S & C podcast with Glen MacDonald

GORUCK | The Rucking Company

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 

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 despair. Bama does not shy away from discussing the often-taboo topic of suicide among law enforcement, highlighting the importance of mental health support and community outreach.

 This episode is Part 2 of 2, be sure listen to Episode 73: Part 1 - All I Know is Corrections - Interview with Bronner "Bama" Allen

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.  https://988lifeline.org/

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 

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 human side of corrections,  as he discusses the experiences that shape the men and women who don the uniform, and the shared journey that both scars and strengthens them.

This episode is Part 1 of 2, be sure listen to Episode 74 - Part 2 - When Stress Tries to Kill You - Interview with Bronner "Bama" Allen

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.  https://988lifeline.org/

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 

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: 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 

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 maintain a ready, effective force. Join me for an episode that explores the heart of leadership and team-building in corrections.

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 

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 of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and Fox Valley Technical College. He received specialized training in Hostage negotiations, hostage rescue, and cell extractions, and commanded both an institutional SWAT team as well as a Sniper Team. He was a certified firearms and chemical agents instructor and a defense tactics instructor.  He is the author of three books related to Corrections and Police work, “No Place Like Home,” “ Morning Will Come,” and his latest, “In Their Own Words,” stories by and about Correctional Officers from around the world.

 No Place Like Home

In Their Own Words: True Stories from the Front Line of the World's Toughest Beat

Rural-route Wisconsin

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 

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 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