This podcast is a dose of, well, ... some days its health & wellness or current events, other days it could be sports, music, movies, or simply...randomness. Best way to know for sure is to never miss an episode. I know I won't....yes, there will be dad jokes. I'm going to strive to keep them around 30 minutes per episode because if you're like me, you listen to multiple podcasts per day and it gets challenging to fit them all in. That being said, there may be times (depending on the topic) ...
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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 ove ...
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The Do More Good podcast is a light-hearted discussion on professional development and fundraising in the charity sector. Kenneth and James cover a range of topics and bring in guests from the industry to share their experience and insight. An informal conversation recorded in pubs in central London. Pull up a chair, grab a drink and join us. Thank you for listening.
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105: Keeping Your Cell Extraction from Going Viral on YouTube - Interview w/Tim Fasnacht
1:09:14
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1:09:14Send us a text The shocking disparity between training requirements—four weeks to become a correctional officer versus sixteen weeks to become a hairdresser in Washington State—highlights a systemic problem in how we prepare staff to handle some of society's most challenging individuals. Fosnott describes his earliest experiences, including being t…
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Episode 127 Small Charity, Big Headache with Emma Cantrell MBE
58:51
58:51
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58:51'Why don't you just shut it down?" Emma Cantrell MBE is a visionary leader, consultant, and social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the charity sector. She’s the founder of First Days Children’s Charity, where she built a thriving organisation from the ground up, ensuring financial stability, growing a dedicated team, and supporting…
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104: Recent Training Spotlight - and A Special Announcement by Michael Cantrell
37:08
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37:08Send us a text Michael Cantrell returns with a passionate exploration of the evolving corrections landscape, sharing significant professional milestones while introducing his upcoming new book, "Power Skills: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, Public Service, and Beyond." The episode begins with exciting news about Ca…
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103: The Human Stories of Military Justice and Rehabilitation - Interview w/James Cummings
1:09:37
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1:09:37Send us a text From the corridors of military prisons to the unique challenges of civilian life, our guest Jimmy Cummings shares an extraordinary journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. A retired Marine with a commanding presence in military corrections, Jimmy opens up about his early struggles in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that led him to th…
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102: Leadership Strategies and Fostering a Culture of Integrity - Interview w/Chris McConnell
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59:02Send us a text From military operations in the Gulf to the corridors of correctional facilities, Chris McConnell's journey is a narrative of resilience and leadership. Growing up in a law enforcement family in Pennsylvania, Chris was destined for a life of service. After serving as an airborne infantryman in Operation Desert Shield Storm, he transi…
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Episode 126: How to side-hustle with Rob Green
1:08:34
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1:08:34"The most important person in the organisation is the Database Manager" James is getting excited about a new financial year and Kenneth has spent four days in the big smoke, avoiding the jabs from his kids. We revist our GCSEs and the question of whether face to face fundraisers make the best fundraisers. There's getting a reality check early, meet…
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101: Transforming Prisons: Innovation and Rehabilitation in Belize - Interview w/Dr. Jarrod Sadulski
53:43
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53:43Send us a text Discover the transformative world of Central American prisons with Dr. Jarrod Sadulski, whose journey from the Coast Guard to criminology and federal law enforcement has led him to the heart of prison reform in Belize. As we navigate through his insights, you'll uncover the stark realities and surprising successes within the Belize C…
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100: Discover the Secrets of Human Behavior - Interview w/Greg Williams & Brian Marren
1:23:15
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1:23:15Send us a text Discover the secrets of human behavior in high-stress environments with our special guests, Greg Williams and Brian Marren from Arcadia Congerati. These experts, known for their work in developing the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter program, join us to celebrate the 100th episode of the Prison Officer Podcast. They offer unique insights …
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99: Honoring a Legacy in Corrections - Interview w/Conor Fredericks
1:06:30
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1:06:30Send us a text Join us for an insightful conversation with Connor Fredericks, a South Carolina Department of Corrections CERT Commander. In our exploration of corrections, we focus on the unique challenges correctional officers face, particularly those in CERT positions. Connor's career shift from night shift police work to corrections presents a c…
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Episode 125: Rethinking communities with Nathan Atkinson, co-counder of Rethink Food.
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59:04"All behaviour is a form of communication" We kick off with tales of multiplying Australians and Christmas Day parkruns, trips to the football and a short-lived, pre-ban career as a TikTok influencer before delving into fighting for the underdog, the call of teaching, and how very few things in life are truly original. We get into how supporting a …
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98: Transforming County Jails: Leadership, Innovation, and Second Chances - Interview w/Justin Hall
1:05:32
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1:05:32Send us a text 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 navigated his way from the Hardin County Detention Center to overseeing operations in his home…
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97: Guard: Duty, Sacrifice, and Leadership - Interview w/Phillip W Parker
1:28:09
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1:28:09Send us a text 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 chance encounter while teaching karate that led him to the world of corrections. As we wal…
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96: Best of the Prison Officer - The Basics - Success in Corrections
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26:23Send us a text 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 know, and every veteran officer should already be doing...who knows...everyone needs a refresher so…
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Episode 124: Giving away £100m with Mark Constantine OBE, Co-founder of LUSH
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48:06"I learnt there is so much kindness in the world." It’s the Christmas Special so we’re joined by the self-made entrepreneur responsible for £100m of gifts to good causes, Mark Constantine OBE. Obviously, we’re straight in to advent calendars and mutual admiration for Snickers Bars, before we delve into Mark’s early life experiences, including being…
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95: Reflections on Correctional Leadership and Growth: A Year in Review - 2024
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35:46Send us a text 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 staffing challenges, emphasizing the crucial role of a positive workplace culture that prioritizes…
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Episode 123: Taking risks, being bold and not having the budget to be boring with Tim Parry
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1:00:17“I still bleed orange¨ This week Kenneth is flying solo on a nostalgic episode, reminiscing with former Director of Communications, Brand and Digital at Alzheimer’s Research UK. They get into growing up with an organisation, being in the right place at the right time in a risk-averse charity that needed to take risks to garner attention and becomin…
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94: Exploring the Path of an Investigative Agent - Interview w/Steve Hansen
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55:05Send us a text 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 complexities of federal prisons, Steve's story is one of dedication and resilience. Steve's car…
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Episode 122: Finding joy in a portfolio career with Sue Anstiss MBE
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51:36“Sod it, give it a go¨ As one of our favourite past guests, we were delighted to catch up with PR mogul, podcaster, documentary producer, author and champion of women's sport, Sue Anstiss. So much so, that Kenneth dialled in from prison. We talk hyrox and alcohol detox; sweating like a chicken; repeating the golden age; and finding the joy in play.…
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93: Leadership and Innovation in Correctional Training - Interview w/Michael Warren
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1:07:51Send us a text 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 Presence and host of the Faces of Leadership podcast, joins us to share his unique journey. Michael brings a treasure trove of experie…
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Episode 121: Building a proper LinkedIn network with Michelle Benson
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53:56
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53:56“I'm not chasing, I'm going to be found¨ As a confirmed Big Deal on Linked In, Michelle Benson joins us to talk us through the site's shift from job site to relationship building forum. We get into the opportunity to bypass the Comms Team, how everyone is a lurker and the sad death of the giant cheque. Michelle goes back to her humble first gig - w…
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92: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Thriving in Corrections
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37:49
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37:49Send us a text 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 incredible resilience and determination. A recent e-mail from a correctional officer grappling wit…
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91: Can We Talk?...About Mastering De-Escalation Techniques in Corrections
30:34
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30:34Send us a text 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 active listening and emotional regulation. You'll learn why truly hearing and understanding th…
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Episode 120: The Scottish Fundraising Conference 2024
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1:23:07We are back north of the border for the Scottish Fundraising Conference. Part of our three-part series from Glasgow, this summary episode features lost notepads, learnings from the world of football, dealing with tricky colleagues, falsely advertised sessions and LinkedIn updates. 1:40 Gary Kernahan details the Committee’s hopes and dreams. 9:50 Fi…
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Episode 119: The art of communication with Ishbel Smith
42:48
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42:48"Stories are a blend of information and emotion" It's breakfast on day two at the Scottish Fundraising Conference and we're joined by Ishbel Smith to talk through the power and importance of storytelling in everything we do. Thanks to her experience as a commercial litigator turned third-sector consultant, we've got competitive debating on the worl…
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Episode 118: The price of everything, the value of nothing with Scottish Fundraising Conference plenary speaker Anna Fowlie
34:09
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34:09"We need to talk about what goes wrong so we can learn" Anna Fowlie, the CEO of the SCVO took to the stage on Wednesday morning in Glasgow, kicking off day two of the Scottish Fundraising Conference. We caught up with her the night before to talk through her journey to the plenary stage. We found a passion for mediaeval Islamic and European art and…
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90: From Baseball Dreams to Correctional Teams - Interview w/Adam Dennis
56:19
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56:19Send us a text 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 shocks. From playing college baseball to earning a criminology degree, Adam's journey is i…
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89: New Perspectives, New Solutions: Insights from Missouri's Fall MCA/MPPOA Conference
1:13:43
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1:13:43Send us a text 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 support provided by the 988 national suicide hotline. Hear inspiring conversations with Major …
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2024 MCA/MPPOA Fall Conference Live this Week!
7:36
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7:36Send us a text 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 "Leading Without Rank," where I’ll share practical leadership strategies at all levels, regar…
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88: The Many Challenges of Today's Correctional Officer - Interview w/Gary York
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51:34Send us a text 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 and renowned author. We'll explore the necessity of supportive supervision and the detrimental eff…
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Episode 117: Mobilising Movements with Esther Foreman
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43:40"Think Big, Get Shit Done, Have Fun" Esther Foreman has spent 20 years in the social-good space, time spent running award-winning campaigns, supporting enterprise and building teams. Her career went from Doctors without Borders, Shelter, Help the Aged and Mencap to the Social Change Agency, where she supports over 600 organisations to grow, innovat…
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87: Debunking Myths and Unveiling Lies of Prison Life
37:44
37:44
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37:44Send us a text 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 meeting, he reveals how families are often manipulated by prisoners who exaggerate their har…
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86: The Complex World of Corrections: A Deep Dive with Dr. Mike Pittaro
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55:53Send us a text 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 American Military University and Director of Corrections for Northampton County Department of Corr…
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85: Best of The Prison Officer - Greatness Beyond the Badge - Interview w/Michael Laidler
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1:01:36Send us a text 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 began at just nine years old, inspired by the O.J. Simpson case. Raised in Miami by a single…
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Episode 116: Are you an Artist, a Manager or an Entrepreneur with Rob Woods
1:13:01
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1:13:01Our guest on the podcast this week has worked in fundraising since the year 2000. If you can find a fundraising trainer more passionate and purpose-driven about the sector, we’re yet to find them. His business, Brightspot Fundraising, has helped thousands of individuals to unlock their potential in fundraising. Offering a series of expertly constru…
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84: The Role of Leadership in Preventing Misconduct in Correctional Facilities
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28:14Send us a text 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 obedience study, we unravel the often unseen dynamics of authority in corrections, exploring when and …
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83: Insights and Advocacy with Union Executive Director William Doyle
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54:15Send us a text 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 law enforcement to his current role in advocating for the welfare of correctional employees. He ou…
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82: Legacies and Innovations in WV Corrections - Interview w/Commissioner William Marshall
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56:21Send us a text 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 the department's evolution into more training, enhanced career paths, and the future of corrections. We…
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81: A Journey through Leadership, Training, and Corrections Challenges - Interview w/Joseph Gunja
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1:23:14Send us a text 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. Joe reveals a career where promotions often come with intricate challenges and highlights the imp…
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Send us a text 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 have the strength to stand up against the other inmates. Will they run and hide in their cell, or will they stand and…
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79: The Best of The Prison Officer - Strangeways - A Prison Officer's Story - Interview w/Neil "Sam" Samworth
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1:13:01Send us a text 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 step into Sam's world, where the line between guard and guarded blurs, and where humanity fac…
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78: A Journey of Growth and Change in Prison Management - Interview w/Art Beeler
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1:06:10Send us a text 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 the intricate challenges of managing inmate programs. His tales are not just a narrative o…
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77: Behind the Bars - Prayers & Executions - Interview w/Larry Peoples
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46:12Send us a text 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 to executions, and provides a sobering glimpse into the complexity of enforcing the death p…
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76: Part 2 - Best of The Prison Officer - The Unseen Battles of Correctional Integrity - Interview w/Glen MacDonald
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1:01:49Send us a text 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. Despite being shunned by staff, loss of promotions, and horrible stress, Glen persevered. Glen …
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Episode 115: Delving into the world of CSR/ESG with Kerry McNally
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35:35"You don't operate as a company in a bubble." A high-brow start to the show this week with a mention on PMQs before we dive into CSR, ESG and DB. Then it's Downing Street to Guatemala, making good decisions and learning on the job. We're joined by Kerry McNally, Group Head of Communities at Flutter Entertainment, to talk through what Corporate Soci…
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Episode 114: Crime, gangs and violence to leading Criminal Justice work at Causeway. The importance of lived experience with Stu Otten.
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1:05:22"If you've done the crime then you do the time." Jimbo delivers a thank you to our Patreon supporter, Jeremy through his new monochrome webcam and Kenneth dreams of a trip to Turkey. Then it's over to our guest Stu to talk about his work fighting modern slavery and the rollercoaster route which got him there. From a Liverpool council estate to a we…
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75: Part 1 - Best of The Prison Officer - Doing What's Right, Even When it's Tough - Interview w/Glen MacDonald
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1:00:40Send us a text 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 required to uphold the law within its walls. The discussion around the corruption he witnessed, a…
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Episode 113: Fundraising Megatrends with Chris Innes
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43:36"Organising a Careers Fair to find a job for myself." Tired from the hotel gym, Kenneth lets our guest do the heavy lifting as we discuss the megatrends which have impacted the fundraising environment. Confirmed BDIF, Chris Innes, joins us to talk through the findings from the IFL Forum which immediately preceded the IFC. Expect to tick the permacr…
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74: Part 2 - When Stress Tries to Kill You - Interview with Bronner "Bama" Allen
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1:06:48Send us a text 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" heartfelt story. He takes us through the day-to-day operations within the prison walls, where he encountered a gamut of scenarios – from gang violence to…
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73: Part 1 - All I Know is Corrections - Interview with Bronner "Bama" Allen
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50:28Send us a text 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 Bureau of Prisons where he retired. But Bama wasn't done yet, he returned to where he had started at The North Carolina Department of Corrections, and w…
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72: How to Manage Inmates with Mental Illness
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53:26Send us a text 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 housing unit. I will discuss some of the more common mental illnesses you will encounter working in corrections and some of my tips for managing some of …
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