The Prison Officer Podcast

What does it take to navigate the most dangerous prisons in America while maintaining both safety and humanity? Pete Bloodworth's extraordinary 35-year journey through corrections offers profound insights into this question.

From his early days as a Marine Corps sniper to becoming one of corrections' most influential tactical innovators, Bloodworth's story reveals how military discipline transformed his appr...

What makes a truly effective correctional leader? In this thought-provoking episode, Michael Cantrell draws from decades of experience to unpack the three essential qualities officers desperately want from their supervisors: knowledge, willingness, and courage.

Correctional officers seek leaders who possess deep knowledge about policies, case law, and facility operations—creating a foundation of confidence and security. Th...

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman brings decades of expertise to this powerful conversation about the psychology of violence, trauma response, and the vital role corrections professionals play in society.

Drawing from his groundbreaking research that shaped books like "On Combat" and "On Killing," Grossman frames correctional officers as society's essential "sheepdogs" – those who willingl...

What if everything we thought we knew about training correctional officers was based on flawed assumptions? In this eye-opening conversation with Myles Cook, we explore how questioning basic training objectives can transform outcomes across corrections.

Miles brings 15 years of diverse experience spanning corrections, patrol, narcotics, investigations, and academy instruction to tackle one of our profession's most fun...

This is a Re-Broadcast of ILEETA Live!  Yyou can find more episodes here:    / @ileeta 

Two nationally recognized voices in corrections. One powerful conversation.
ILEETA Live is back July 16 at 7:30PM CST.

This month: Michael Cantrell and Gary York—both published authors and respected subject matter experts—join us to talk leadership, resilience, and the real-world challenges facing today’s correctional prof...

What happens when a police officer's career evolves into revolutionizing corrections technology? Alisha Shoates-James takes us on her remarkable journey from patrolling Nashville streets to developing innovative tablet solutions that transform prison environments nationwide.

Drawing from her seven years in law enforcement and extensive experience as a federal probation officer, Shoates-James intimately understands the...

When was the last time you heard a positive story about what happens inside America's jails? For most of us, these facilities only make headlines when something goes wrong—an escape, a use-of-force incident, or a facility failure. But as Major Shaun Klucznik reveals in this compelling conversation, corrections professionals save lives, change futures, and demonstrate extraordinary leadership every single day, largely without r...

This is a Re-Broadcast of The Silence Crisis in Corrections with Michael Cantrell from The Independent Voter Podcast -

https://olasmedia.com/blogs/behind-the-bars-beyond-the-badge-the-hidden-struggles-of-correctional-officers

Think the justice system only affects the incarcerated? Think again. In this episode of the How It Really Works series of the Independent Voter Podcast, Chad Peace sits down with corrections expert Michael Cantr...

Brian Antonelli, known throughout corrections as "the fixer," pulls back the curtain on what it takes to restore order in some of America's most challenging prisons. Drawing from 32 years of distinguished service in federal and state corrections, Antonelli shares candid stories about transforming troubled facilities like USP Hazleton, where he arrived shortly after high-profile homicides to implement sweeping reforms...

The shocking disparity between training requirements—four weeks to become a correctional officer versus sixteen weeks to become a hairdresser in Washington State—highlights a systemic problem in how we prepare staff to handle some of society's most challenging individuals. Fosnott describes his earliest experiences, including being thrown into supervising inmates during a power outage with zero training, and how these moments ...

Michael Cantrell returns with a passionate exploration of the evolving corrections landscape, sharing significant professional milestones while introducing his upcoming new book, "Power Skills: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, Public Service, and Beyond."

The episode begins with exciting news about Cantrell's appointment to the Advisory Board on Corrections for the Internatio...

From the corridors of military prisons to the unique challenges of civilian life, our guest Jimmy Cummings shares an extraordinary journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. A retired Marine with a commanding presence in military corrections, Jimmy opens up about his early struggles in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that led him to the Marines, meeting his wife in Okinawa, and the trials of transitioning back to civilian life—only t...

From military operations in the Gulf to the corridors of correctional facilities, Chris McConnell's journey is a narrative of resilience and leadership. Growing up in a law enforcement family in Pennsylvania, Chris was destined for a life of service. After serving as an airborne infantryman in Operation Desert Shield Storm, he transitioned into a civilian role, first as a municipal police officer and later embarking on a remar...

Discover the transformative world of Central American prisons with Dr. Jarrod Sadulski, whose journey from the Coast Guard to criminology and federal law enforcement has led him to the heart of prison reform in Belize. As we navigate through his insights, you'll uncover the stark realities and surprising successes within the Belize Central Prison, a place where innovation in rehabilitation starkly contrasts with the turmoil of...

Discover the secrets of human behavior in high-stress environments with our special guests, Greg Williams and Brian Marren from Arcadia Congerati. These experts, known for their work in developing the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter program, join us to celebrate the 100th episode of the Prison Officer Podcast. They offer unique insights into the parallels between correctional facilities, law enforcement, and combat zones, emphasiz...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Connor Fredericks, a South Carolina Department of Corrections CERT Commander. In our exploration of corrections, we focus on the unique challenges correctional officers face, particularly those in CERT positions. Connor's career shift from night shift police work to corrections presents a compelling narrative about adaptability and the value of strategic decision-making. Our discussi...

Ever wondered what it takes to manage a county jail? Join me, Michael Cantrell, as I sit down with Justin Hall, the elected jailer from Nelson County, Kentucky, who has spent nearly two decades in the corrections field. We'll uncover how he navigated his way from the Hardin County Detention Center to overseeing operations in his hometown. Learn about innovative technologies like biometric sensors that help monitor inmate healt...

Philip W. Parker, former warden of Kentucky State Penitentiary, joins us to share his remarkable story from rural Kentucky roots to overseeing maximum-security operations. Listen as Philip recounts his unique career trajectory, beginning with a chance encounter while teaching karate that led him to the world of corrections. As we walk through the corridors of history with Philip, we explore the evolution of terminology in the corre...

In this episode of the basics, I talk about what it takes to have Success in Corrections. The Basic, common sense attributes and work habits of a good correctional officer.  Listen as I talk about Correctional Basics every rookie should know, and every veteran officer should already be doing...who knows...everyone needs a refresher sometimes.

Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful ...