The Prison Officer Podcast Re-Broadcast - The Silence Crisis in Corrections w/Michael Cantrell - Independent Voter Podcast
Jun 5, 2025
Chad Peace, host of the Independent Voter Podcast, engages with Michael Cantrell, a corrections expert and former officer. They delve into the hidden mental health crisis facing correctional officers, discussing the high rates of PTSD and burnout akin to combat veterans. The conversation challenges common misconceptions, highlighting the critical need for better training and mental health support. Cantrell also addresses the disconnect between public perception and reality within the prison system, urging reforms to foster better conditions for both officers and inmates.
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Training Is The Missing Foundation
- Training is chronically underfunded and often minimal for correctional officers.
- Lack of training reduces confidence, safety, retention, and career success.
Most Officers Aren't The Caricature
- Public stereotypes focus on a few bad actors and ignore the many officers who are leaders in their communities.
- Correctional staff are diverse: coaches, church leaders, and quiet professionals, not television caricatures.
PTSD Builds Day By Day
- Corrections PTSD is often cumulative from daily manipulation, violence, and self-harm incidents.
- That chronic exposure reshapes trust, relationships, and worldview over time.
