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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.
Episodes
110 episodes
98: Transforming County Jails: Leadership, Innovation, and Second Chances - Interview w/Justin Hall
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 nav...
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Season 1
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Episode 98
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1:05:00
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97: Guard: Duty, Sacrifice, and Leadership - Interview w/Phillip W Parker
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 97
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1:27:37
96: Best of the Prison Officer - The Basics - Success in Corrections
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 kn...
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Season 1
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Episode 96
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25:51
95: Reflections on Correctional Leadership and Growth: A Year in Review - 2024
Unlock the secrets of successful correctional leadership as we recap an incredible year for the Prison Officer Podcast. We've reached new heights by launching on YouTube, and growing our audience worldwide. I tackle pressing issues like s...
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Season 1
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Episode 95
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35:14
94: Exploring the Path of an Investigative Agent - Interview w/Steve Hansen
Former special investigative agent Steve Hansen joins us to shed light on a career filled with intense experiences and unique insights into the world of federal corrections. From his humble beginnings in a small Iowa town to navigating the comp...
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Season 1
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Episode 94
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54:32
93: Leadership and Innovation in Correctional Training - Interview w/Michael Warren
Inspired by his grandfather, Michael Warren's foray into law enforcement was destined from the start, rooted in a rich family tradition of public service. Michael, the Director of Training for Command ...
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Season 1
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Episode 93
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1:07:19
92: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Thriving in Corrections
What if I told you that the toughest challenges in the corrections field could turn into your greatest opportunities for growth? I explore my journey through the demanding landscape of corrections and shed light on a world that requires incredi...
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Season 1
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Episode 92
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37:16
91: Can We Talk?...About Mastering De-Escalation Techniques in Corrections
What if the key to managing conflicts in corrections is as simple as mastering the art of listening? Join us as we examine the evolution of de-escalation techniques, starting from the era of "verbal judo" to contemporary methods centered on act...
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Season 1
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Episode 91
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30:02
90: From Baseball Dreams to Correctional Teams - Interview w/Adam Dennis
Meet Adam Dennis, a 28-year law enforcement/corrections veteran, who shares his early days, influenced by his father's advice and his brother's positive experiences, as he navigates through a career filled with challenges and unexpected culture...
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Season 1
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Episode 90
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55:46
89: New Perspectives, New Solutions: Insights from Missouri's Fall MCA/MPPOA Conference
Join us live from the Missouri Correctional Association and Missouri Probation and Parole Officers Association fall conference at the stunning Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake of the Ozarks. Learn about suicide prevention from the critical sup...
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Season 1
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Episode 89
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1:13:11
2024 MCA/MPPOA Fall Conference Live this Week!
Join me on this week's Prison Officer Podcast as I bring you an exclusive update from the Missouri Correctional Association and the MPPOA conference. You'll also get a sneak peek into my classes on "Essentials in Correctional Excellence" and "L...
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Season 1
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7:36
88: The Many Challenges of Today's Correctional Officer - Interview w/Gary York
How do simple gestures elevate officer morale in an understaffed environment? What happens when political decisions compromise the safety of correctional officers? Join us as we welcome back Gary York, a veteran corrections professional a...
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Season 1
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Episode 88
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51:02
87: Debunking Myths and Unveiling Lies of Prison Life
Ever wondered how much of what you've heard about prison life is actually true? Mike Cantrell pulls back the curtain on the misconceptions that society holds about prisons and their inmates. Through a personal recount of a misguided community m...
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Season 1
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Episode 88
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37:12
86: The Complex World of Corrections: A Deep Dive with Dr. Mike Pittaro
What drives someone to dedicate their life to understanding inmate behavior and educating future criminal justice professionals? Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Mike Pittaro, associate professor of criminal justice at the America...
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Season 1
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Episode 86
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55:20
85: Best of The Prison Officer - Greatness Beyond the Badge - Interview w/Michael Laidler
Have you ever wondered what it takes to transition from a Border Patrol agent to a federal corrections officer, all while becoming a renowned public speaker and author? Today, we sit down with Michael Laidler, whose journey in law enforcement b...
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Season 1
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Episode 85
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1:01:03
84: The Role of Leadership in Preventing Misconduct in Correctional Facilities
Can leadership failures create a breeding ground for misconduct in correctional facilities?In this episode of the Prison Officer Podcast, we confront this critical question head-on. Through the lens of Stanley Milgram's famous 1963 obed...
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Season 1
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Episode 84
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27:42
83: Insights and Advocacy with Union Executive Director William Doyle
In the realm of correctional facilities, the roles and challenges of those who maintain order are often misunderstood and overlooked. Doyle discusses the trajectory of becoming deeply involved in union activities, from his early days in l...
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Season 1
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Episode 83
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53:43
82: Legacies and Innovations in WV Corrections - Interview w/Commissioner William Marshall
In this episode, I speak with Commissioner William Marshall and get an inside look at the West Virginia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. We learn about his path from State Police to Corrections Commissioner. We discuss ...
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Season 1
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Episode 82
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55:49
81: A Journey through Leadership, Training, and Corrections Challenges - Interview w/Joseph Gunja
Joe Gunja's career trajectory from a military police officer to a regional director is not just a tale of personal achievement, but also a story of the varying levels of inmate-related issues and the work required in the different roles. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 81
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1:22:42
80: Are You a Hunter or Are You Prey?
A prison is a place of violence. Pretty quickly, as they begin their sentence inside, other inmates categorize each other as Predator or Prey. As a Hunter or the Hunted. Their role is determined by whether or not they ha...
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Season 1
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Episode 80
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23:00
79: The Best of The Prison Officer - Strangeways - A Prison Officer's Story - Interview w/Neil "Sam" Samworth
Walking the corridors of HMP Manchester, former Prison Officer and author Neil Samworth—known as Sam—witnessed the stark realities of prison life, a tale he recounts with raw honesty in "Strange Ways: A Prison Officer's Story." Join us as we st...
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Season 1
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Episode 79
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1:12:29
78: A Journey of Growth and Change in Prison Management - Interview w/Art Beeler
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 78
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1:05:38
77: Behind the Bars - Prayers & Executions - Interview w/Larry Peoples
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 77
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45:40
76: Part 2 - Best of The Prison Officer - The Unseen Battles of Correctional Integrity - Interview w/Glen MacDonald
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 76
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1:01:17
75: Part 1 - Best of The Prison Officer - Doing What's Right, Even When it's Tough - Interview w/Glen MacDonald
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 requir...
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Season 1
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Episode 75
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1:00:07