The Prison Officer Podcast
The Prison Officer Podcast is a place where prison officers and correctional staff share their experiences, discuss leadership, cope with stress, and learn survival strategies for one of the toughest careers out there. Hosted by Michael Cantrell, this podcast delves into the lives, dreams, and challenges faced by those who work inside the walls of our nation’s prisons. It features interviews, insights, and discussions related to the unique and demanding world of corrections. Whether it’s overcoming difficult leaders, understanding rehabilitation, or addressing misconceptions about incarcerated populations, the Prison Officer Podcast provides valuable perspectives from professionals in the field.
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 45 minutes
- Episodes
- 125
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
74: Part 2 - When Stress Tries to Kill You - Interview with Bronner "Bama" Allen
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" hea…
73: Part 1 - All I Know is Corrections - Interview with Bronner "Bama" Allen
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 Bu…
72: How to Manage Inmates with Mental Illness
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 ho…
71: Leadership and Professionalism in Correctional Tactical Teams
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 rig…
70: No Place Like Home - 40 Years in Corrections/Law Enforcement - Interview w/Keith Hellwig
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 Enforc…
69: The Wardens - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
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 o…
68: Last Call at Missouri State Pen - Interview w/John Motel
In this episode, I talk with John Motel about his career, leadership lessons, the transfer of maximum security inmates from MSP to JCCC, and his five seconds of fame when he made the la…
67: Leadership Works Best with Common Sense - Interview w/Percy Pitzer
In this episode, I speak with Percy Pitzer. Percy has had a long career in corrections starting with the Bureau of Prisons, he rose through the ranks, eventually retiring as Warden. A…
66: Not all Inmates are Created Equal
After having this discussion over and over, I finally decided I am going to share my thoughts in a podcast about the use of restrictive housing. I have worked and seen the good, bad, a…
65: Criminal Justice Education & Corrections - Interview w/ Dr. John "Jay" Lawrie
In this episode, I talk with Dr. John "Jay" Lawrie about his career and get some insight about the current trends in Criminal Justice education. Jay Lawrie retired from the Connecticut…
64: The Toughest Job - Interview w/Gary York
In this episode, I talk with Gary York, author of The Toughest Job. Author, columnist, and even TV actor...:-), Gary has a varied and interesting career. We talk about all things cor…
63: Missouri Correctional Association Fall Conference - Attendee Interviews
This week I was a presenter at the Missouri Correctional Association's (MCA) Fall Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks, MO. We had a great time as I talked about Leadership - It's Your…
62: Greatness Beyond the Badge - Interview w/Michael Laidler
In this episode, I talk with Michael about his path from law enforcement/correctional officer to keynote speaker and author of Greatness Beyond the Badge. We talk about the importance …
61: Rodeos and Riots at The Oklahoma State Pen - Interview w/Dan M. Reynolds
In this episode I talk with Dan M. Reynolds. Dan is the author of several books about the Oklahoma State Pen, his experiences, and much more. Dan M. Reynolds takes his subjects direct…
60: Question and Answer Time with The Prison Officer - Michael Cantrell
In this episode, I go back through the e-mails and messages to The Prison Officer and answer those questions that I think can apply to everyone working in corrections.
I talk about lying…
59: The 1995 Harrison Correctional Facility Riot - Interview w/Robert Greenwood
In this podcast, I sit down with Robert Greenwood. Robert has 35 years of experience working for the Michigan Department of Corrections in prison administration and community correctio…
58: The Little Things Do Matter and Why We Stand the Line
A recent Facebook post was highlighting the fact a citizen brought in pizza for the inmates and staff...I could hardly believe the responses from citizens and staff. Be careful, I will…
57: Can Growth Rise from Trauma? - Interview w/Lindsay Faas
In this episode, I talk with Trauma Counselor Lindsay Faas about trauma, PTSD, and whether or not there can be post-traumatic growth from trauma. I ran across this article - https://ww…
56: Lead, Trust, and Care About Your Staff - Interview w/Arthur Fredericks
In this episode, I talk with Associate Warden Arthur Fredericks. We talk about his long career in Corrections spanning three decades. He has worked at eleven institutions in six state…
55: When Home Becomes a Housing Unit - Interview w/William Young
In this episode, I sit down and have a great conversation with William Young, host of Just Corrections on YouTube. He is also the author of two great books - When Home Becomes a Housin…