

The Prison Officer Podcast
Michael Cantrell
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
Mentioned books

May 6, 2022 • 12min
25: The 2022 MOCK Prison Riot in Moundsville - A Quick Recap of this week
Send us a textThis is a short episode, but I just wanted to talk about my first trip to the MOCK Prison Riot in Moundsville, WV, while it was stilll fresh in my mind. What a great place to train and meet people from all over the world who work in our prisons and jails daily.Shout out to my Correctional brothers and sisters in Ecuador, Columbia, Trinidad-Tabago, North Hampton, FCI MCDowell, and all the others who I was able to shake hands with. Stay Safe!The Mock Prison Riot Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Apr 17, 2022 • 1h 15min
24: History of the Leavenworth Prisons - Interview w/Ken LaMaster
Send us a textIn this episode, I talk with a friend, former co-worker, and Leavenworth Historian/Author - Ken LaMaster. Ken retired after 31 years in the Correctional field which included working at the US Disciplinary Barracks, Kansas State Penitentiary, and the United States Penitentiary Leavenworth. I have always enjoyed listening to Ken's stories and research, and I know you will enjoy hearing about his passion for Leavenworth's history also. He is the author of Leavenworth Seven: The Deadly 1931 Prison Break and U.S Penitentiary Leavenworth - Images of America. He has also worked with several TV shows to include, History Detectives, The Spirit of Hatred and Vengeance on PBS, and Chicago PD as well as others.Leavenworth Seven: The Deadly 1931 Prison BreakU.S. Penitentiary Leavenworth (Images of America) Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Mar 8, 2022 • 53min
23: Female Prison Officers - Interview w/Sgt. Natasha Blake
Send us a textThere are currently 59,100 female officers working in local jails in the US. Another 10,500 female staff work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Across the country, female correctional officers make 38% of the total correctional officers nationwide.In this episode I talk with Sgt. Natasha Blake and her experiences as a Prison Officer. I wanted to know how being a female Prison Officer is different, or is it? From the time she started at Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP) to being the first female CERT team member, we talk about the challenges and how she overcame them and the advice she would offer other female officers. Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Mar 1, 2022 • 42min
22: Me? The Next Director of the Bureau of Prisons!
Send us a textWhat started as an offhand remark to family and friends, turned into a real conversation about what I would do if I were the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. More than 20 years on the job, gave me some definite ideas about what could be improved.In this episode I talk about how we can save taxpayer money, hold inmates and staff accountable, and improve our inmate programs to a point that they make a difference...if I wake up tomorrow as the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons....:-)Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career! by Michael CantrellKeys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer by Michael Cantrell Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Jan 28, 2022 • 1h 6min
21: God vs Corrections - Interview w/Chaplain Daniel Odean
Send us a textIn this episode, I do a little soul searching about God, religion, and faith and how prison affects our spiritual life. Friend and former co-worker Chaplain Daniel O'dean joins me to bring another perspective to these issues. We discuss prison volunteers, the First Amendment, inmate manipulation and the nature of evil inside the fence.U.S. Missions Assemblies of God Chaplaincy Ministries Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Jan 19, 2022 • 26min
20: Does ethics in Corrections matter?
Send us a textI this episode I ask and try to answer the questions”Does ethics in Corrections matter?” How important is integrity, honesty and ethics, and how do we build a culture of ethics where we work. Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Nov 14, 2021 • 28min
19: Name Something Positive about Being a Prison Officer
Send us a textIn this episode I talk about Positivity and Gratitude. Inspired by a Facebook post that simply asked "Name something positive you were able to accomplish because you have a good steady job as a Correctional Officer," I look farther into why it is so important that we find something positive to keep us motivated at work. Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Sep 16, 2021 • 32min
18: Leadership - Leading Change & Crisis
Send us a textIn this episode I talk about Correctional Leadership. The skills I have learned through my career when I had to deal with crisis and change. Two of the most difficult events that leaders face. I also discuss the difference between Tactical Leadership and Strategic Leadership and the expectations staff have of both types of leaders. Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Apr 29, 2021 • 48min
17: Being the Chief of Custody - An Interview with Captain Dennis Treadway (Ret.)
Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Dennis Treadway, a retired Captain with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Dennis walks us through his career and the tips and leadership lessons he learned along the way.Dennis served as a Captain at USP Leavenworth twice , activating Captain at AUSP Thomson and as the Chief of Custody for a private prison in Leavenworth. He has a varied knowledge of what it takes to be highest ranking Custody officer in a prisons and the struggles that come along with it.Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

Feb 28, 2021 • 23min
16: 2020 Podcast Review and Correctional Challenges in 2021
Send us a textThe hosting platform for the Prison Officer Podcast is Buzzsprout. First, let me tell you, I love Buzzsprout, they have helped me every step of the way in building and bringing this podcast to you. One of the nice things Buzzsprout was send me my compiled 2020 statistics for the Prison Officer Podcast, I would like to share them with you.From the lasting effects of COVID-19 to private prisons and recruitment I will review some of the biggest challenges facing Corrections in 2021.Support the showAlso, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond https://amzn.to/4mBeog5 See Michael's newest Children's Books here: www.CantrellWrites.com Support the show ======================= Contact me: mike@theprisonofficer.com Buy Me a Cup of Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mikeml Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer https://amzn.to/4g0mSLw Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career https://amzn.to/3HV4dUG Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences! #prisonofficerpodcast #leadership #podcast @theprisonofficerpodcast Contact us: mike@theprisonofficer.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficerTake care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!