Two gym riots. Same tools. Completely different outcomes. That’s the pivot point Robert Sorensen brings to the table as we dive into less lethal tactics, executive buy-in, and the real cost of undertraining in corrections. Robert spent 27 years in government service—lieutenant, emergency preparedness officer, NTOA section chair, and internal affairs special agent—and he’s candid about fear, failure, and what finally worked.

We walk through the practical lessons that turned chaos into control: how inmate mindset dictates munition effectiveness, why tabletop drills and contingency planning decide outcomes, and the simple way to flip leadership from “no” to “go” on modern tools. Robert lays out the case for 40mm accuracy, not as a cool upgrade, but as a liability reducer that protects staff and inmates by making point-of-aim, point-of-impact a reality when it matters most.

From there, we confront today’s front-line threats. Fentanyl exposure has already taken lives, and Robert breaks down decon protocols and sodium-chlorite solutions designed to oxidize powders in seconds—plus a defense cleanse that shrinks OC and PAVA recovery from 30–40 minutes to minutes. Then we go vertical: drones are now the easiest path for contraband into secure facilities. Robert outlines entangling 40mm counter-UAS rounds and autonomous intercept systems that bring down drones with minimal collateral risk, along with the policy gaps and budget choices holding agencies back.

SoRite Products - https://sorite.com/

NTOA - National Tactical Officers Association - https://www.ntoa.org/

Email Robert - rsorensen@sorite.com

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This is a "Best of" from January 16, 2023, Episode 24 in remembrance of Mark Schieber, who passed away on November 17, 2025.

We sit with former MSP assistant warden and historian Mark Schreiber to trace Missouri corrections from segregated tiers and whistle calls to cameras, structured movement, and a museum that fights tornadoes and time. Stories of investigations, integration, inmate culture, and saving archives reveal how people, not just buildings, define the work.

• starting at MSP in 1968, early mentorship and undercover work
• major cases, investigations and use of force evolution
• pay, professionalism and building maximum-security capacity
• integrating a segregated prison and managing factions
• “colonist” inmates, reentry fears and modern life gaps
• cameras as deterrence, logistics during riots and moves
• preserving history: ledgers, photos and museum plans
• EF3 tornado damage, tours recovery and future headquarters
• inmate art, tools like line sticks and Oregon boots
• new book Forgotten Shadows and why people matter most

Here is Mark's Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mark-schreiber-obituary?id=60095560

Shanks to Shakers: Reflections of the Missouri State Penitentiary

Somewhere in Time (170 Years of Missouri Corrections)

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Support the show

Also, 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.com

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Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!

We walk through the hard truths of hospital escorts: layers of security vanish, complacency creeps in, and small mistakes become big risks. From intel control to room setup, we share a field-tested checklist to keep officers, medical staff, and the public safe.

• controlling timelines and blocking leaks
• gathering inmate intel and risk factors
• conducting full inmate and vehicle searches
• using maximum restraints and wheelchairs
• hospital reconnaissance and secure entry points
• room layout, line of sight, and door control
• protecting medical staff during care
• anti-fatigue tactics and accountability
• professionalism in public and clear communication
• training needs and administrative support

Make sure you like, subscribe, go to our website and check it out there

Also, 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

Send us a text

Support the show

Also, 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.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrisonOfficer

Take care of each other and Be Safe behind those walls and fences!