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You know, whenever the discussion of the roughest, toughest prisons comes up, there are several names that come to everyone’s mind…Alcatraz, Sing Sing, Leavenworth, Joliet, and of course San Quentin.

Opened in 1852, San Quentin State Prison in California is one of those violent prisons that has become part of our national culture.  A prison that currently houses more than 3300 inmates (700 of those in the prison’s Condemned Unit), San Quentin has been immortalized in movies, TV, literature, and even a Johnny Cash song.  

My guest today is Ron, who spent a career working at San Quentin State Prison and he is here today to tell us his story.

Behind San Quentin's Walls: The History of California’s Legendary Prison and Its Inmates, 1851-1900

Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood - Danny Trejo

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A cartoon I once saw showed a sinking boat with sailors in it.  One end is going underwater, and a couple of sailors are bailing as fast as they can to no avail.  The other end of the boat is still out of the water and the characters on the other end are saying, “I’m glad it’s not our end of the boat that is sinking."

Wake up, people! It’s the same boat, if one end sinks the whole boat sinks.

There is a new generation of correctional officers coming on board.  They bring a different skill set to the table, and they are not like the generations before them.  Nor should they be.  But, if they don't pick up the mantle, there is nobody else.  In this episode, I discuss the different generations, the old and the new.  The differing expectations, and what needs to be done to get our prisons staffed with great prison officers.

Who Moved My Cheese?: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life

How To Manage Millennials: A Guide To Developing The Young Workers: Adaptations In the Workplace

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

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My guest today is Neil "Sam" Samworth, former UK prison officer and the author of Strangeways – A Prison Officer’s Story.  Sam spent eleven years working as a prison officer in HMP Manchester, a prison also known as  Strangeways.   His book Strangeways is a shocking and at times darkly funny account of life in a high-security prison. Sam tackles cell fires and self-harmers and goes head to head with some of the most dangerous men in the country.  We spend time discussing the differences and the common ground between the US and UK prison systems. 

We talk about it the good, the bad, and the ugly, including his personal struggle with PTSD.

Real Porridge with Sam Samworth https://www.youtube.com/c/RealPorridgePodcast

Strangeways: A Prison Officers Story - Sam Samworth

Strangeways Unlocked: The Shocking Truth about Life Behind Bars - Sam Samworth

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Today I sit down and discuss the minutes from the 1959 Captain's Conference that was held in Washington D.C.  These minutes give us some insight into what challenges and changes were going on with the Bureau of Prisons.  I invited Capt. Gary Cooper (ret.), Captain Dennis Treadway (ret.), and Captain Glen MacDonald (ret.) to sit down and talk about Yesterday and Today in the Bureau of Prisons.  I'm going to invite you to sit and listen at the Captain's Table.

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In this episode I finish talking about the Military Leadership Books Every Correctional Leader Should Read. 

In Episode 30, I covered Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Lief Babin. 

In this episode, I talk about Left of Bang by Patrick Van Horn and Jason Riley.  This book will help you hone your intuition and your understanding of human behavior.  A must-read for anyone working in prison.  Have you ever stood mainline and thought "It's too quiet."  This is the type of intuition that prevents problems before they happen.

The last book is It's Your Ship by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff where he details the leadership approach that encourages letting your staff do their job.  Find what they are skilled at and let them shine.

Extreme Ownership

Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps’ Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life

It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy

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In this episode, I talk with author and gang investigator D.J. (or David) Schilling.  He has worked in the Criminal Justice Field since 2006 as a Correctional Officer, Security Threat Group specialist, and gang instructor. His specialties are the use of the Runes & Norse Pagan symbology used by white supremacist groups, criminal intelligence processes, and alternative religions/beliefs, such as radicalized Asatru & Odinism, Christian Identity, and various occult topics.

He is the author of  “Norse/Germanic Runes & Symbols: Field Reference Guide for Law Enforcement & Corrections.”   https://amzn.to/3zHME3y

David talks about the history, differences, and ideology associated with different runes.  He will also help us to learn how to identify when runes are being utilized for gang use instead of legitimate religious use.   

Norse/Germanic Runes & Symbols: Field Reference Guide for Law Enforcement & Corrections - D J Schilling

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In today's episode, I talk with Wally Long, a former co-worker of mine from the Federal Medical Center in Springfield, MO.  We worked a lot of the same units together and I was always impressed by his resilience, his unwavering faith, as well as his leadership, and drive to always better himself.  As you will hear today, retirement has not slowed him down any.  From Prison to Politics, he is currently running for a seat as a Missouri State Representative.

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In this episode, I talk about Extreme Ownership - How U.S. Navy SEALS Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin a #1 New York Times Bestseller.  One of the premier leadership books of the last decade, Extreme Ownership is written by retired Navy SEALS on the lessons they learned in combat and leading some of the toughest men on the planet.  I discuss some of my takeaways from the book and how Extreme Ownership became relevant to me. 

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

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In this episode, I get the chance to talk with Pat Bliss.  An artist, and former correctional officer at the Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary in Saskatchewan, Canada.  He shares the stories behind his artwork and the many things he saw during his varied career.

Behind the Razor Ribbon: A Correctional Officer's Perspective

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Opportunities to become a correctional officer are better than ever before.  Agencies are offering bonuses and pay incentives to entice new hires.  Hiring fairs, online ads, and billboards are all trying to recruit new staff to become part of the corrections family.  But, where to start?  With so many options it seems impossible to find the information you need.

A new book The Prison Officer Podcast Job Guide by Michael Cantrell is the starting place you have been looking for.  He has compiled information into this book, you need to find, apply, and start your new career as a correctional officer.

The Prison Officer Podcast Job Guide lists contact information, starting pay, and minimum requirements for all fifty state corrections departments, as well as contact information for Federal, County, city, private corrections and even international corrections.  Chapters on How to Prepare your Resume, The Interview, The Golden Rules of Being a Rookie, and How to Succeed in Corrections will get you started on the right path to a career with unlimited challenges and career advancement.

The Prison Officer Podcast Job Guide can be found on Amazon or ordered by visiting The Prison Officer Podcast website at www.theprisonofficer.com

The Prison Officer Podcast Job Guide: Information and Guidance to Start Your Career in Corrections

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Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!