The Prison Officer Podcast

Today’s guest is David Skarbek, an Associate Professor of Political Science and Political Economy at Brown University.  He is also the author of two books:The Social Order of the Underworld: How Prison Gangs Govern the American Penal SystemThe Puzzle of Prison Order: Why Life Behind Bars Varies Around the WorldWhen many people outside the prison system think of prison gangs, they think of chaotic bands of violent, racist thugs. Few people think of gangs as sophisticated organizations (often with elaborate written constitutions) that regulate the social and economic life of the prison. Yet as David argues, gangs form to create order among outlaws, producing alternative governance institutions to facilitate their illegal activity. David studies the political economy of these gangs within our prisons globally and his works have appeared in both economics and political science journals.  If you haven’t read them yet, his books are also a great reference for all correctional officers.Send us a text PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

In this episode of The Basics, I talk about the tray slot, cuff slot, bean hole, or whatever you call it, it is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous areas of your locked unit.  How you approach and handle your interactions at the tray slot could be the difference between injury and going home safe.Come listen as we talk about Correctional Basics every rookie should know, and every veteran officer should already be doing...who knows...everyone needs a refresher sometimes.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 CantrellSend us a textPepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

In this episode, I talk with Domenic Pezzano who retired from Corrective Service in New South Wales, Australia after more than 30 years of service.  We talk about starting out as a Correctional Officer, a riot at Long Bay where he was a hostage, and his rise up the ranks in NSW Prison Corrective Service, and his advice to those just starting out.  You can contact Domenic here Correctional Services / Prison Subject ExpertThe Prison Officer Podcast Job Guide: Information and Guidance to Start Your Career in CorrectionsSend us a text PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

In this episode of The Basics, we talk about Security Checks.  Fence checks, roof checks, building checks, and more.Come listen as we talk about Correctional Basics every rookie should know, and every veteran officer should already be doing...who knows...everyone needs a refresher sometimes.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 CantrellSend us a textPepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

Whenever you talk about the Missouri State Penitentiary, you can’t help but mention Mark Schreiber.  He went to work for the Missouri Department of Corrections in the  1960s and has held many positions, starting as an officer, he ended his career as Assistant Warden of the Missouri State Penitentiary. He has always been an advocate for preserving the history of MSP and the Missouri Department of Corrections.  He has written two books about the Penitentiary and Missouri Department of Corrections: "Somewhere in Time" (1991 and 2004) and "Shanks to Shakers" (2011).  Historian, City Councilman, and one of my former bosses, it was a pleasure to interview Mark.Contact Mark msschrieber46@gmail.comShanks to Shakers: Reflections of the Missouri State PenitentiarySomewhere in Time (170 Years of Missouri Corrections)Send us a text PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

Running a podcast takes a lot of time.  Running a good one takes even more...:-)I have been asked a lot to provide more content but with my schedule as an Instructor, and editing, recording, and scheduling guests, I just haven't had much time.There has been a lot of interest from schools, academies, and agencies that really enjoy some of the basic correctional officer subjects we have covered on this podcast.  So, in order to try to provide more content and provide some episodes on skills correctional rookies need (and a refresher for some of the veterans), The Prison Officer Podcast will begin publishing short (10-15 minute) skill-based episodes on the off weeks.  Right now I have episodes every other week (usually on Monday).  These episodes will be released on Mondays in between the full episodes.In this episode of The Basics we talk about counts and counting.This content will be free, just like the podcast.  No subscription.  Nothing to Join.  Although, if you really like what we do, I would love for you to Buy Me a Cup of CoffeeHave a great day!The Prison Officer Podcast Job Guide: Information and Guidance to Start Your Career in CorrectionsSend us a textPepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

In this episode, I talk with Anthony Gangi, an author, speaker,  and the Host of Tier Talk, a long-running podcast about Corrections and the challenges staff face every day.  Anthony and I talk about why finding your purpose at work matters, especially when you work in Corrections.Also, welcome PepperBall! Our newest sponsor - Please click their link below to visit The PepperBall website.Tier Talk - Youtube ChannelInmate Manipulation Decoded: A Definitive Guide to Understanding the Manipulation ProcessLessons Learned While Working In Prison: My Journey From Officer To AdministrationSend us a text PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

Just a quick episode to thank all of you working the holidays!  What you do matters and I appreciate it!  Also I read A CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS CHRISTMAS just for some lighthearted fun.  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and have a safe shift!A Correctional Officer's ChristmasChristmas Music - Jingle Bells Intro - Thanks to Scott Holmes MusicThe Midnight Shift Before Christmas by Donna MieleSend us a textPepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

In this episode, I talk with Brian O'Connell, a retired Warden with the Missouri Department of Corrections.  Growing up with two Grandfathers who worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he knew he wanted to work in Corrections early on.  We talk about some BOP and family history, his career path to Warden in the Missouri Department of Corrections, and why he thinks there is room for compassion in Corrections.You can e-mail Brian here brian_oconnell@att.netLearn more about Social Profit CorrectionsEchoes of Mercy: Springfield Federal Medical Center by Randy GreerSend us a text PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!

In this episode, I talk about how I developed my own Personal Vision Statement and why you need one.  Much like an agency or company's Vision Statement, a Personal Vision Statement can give you focus, direction, and purpose, and help you reach the goals you have for your life and career.I also talk about my 3 Truths of Leadership and the differences between Strategic Leadership and Tactical Leadership.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 CantrellSend us a text PepperBallFrom crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.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!