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The Prison Officer Podcast

The Prison Officer Podcast

Written by: Michael Cantrell
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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 overcoming difficult leaders, understanding rehabilitation, or addressing misconceptions about incarcerated populations, the Prison Officer Podcast provides valuable perspectives from professionals in the field.

© 2026 The Prison Officer Podcast
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Episodes
  • 120: Less Lethal Tools and the Threats Redefining Corrections - Interview w/Robert Sorensen
    Feb 2 2026

    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

    Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review with the one upgrade you’d prioritize now.

    Send us a text

    PepperBall
    From crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.

    OMNI
    OMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail.

    Command Presence
    Bringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    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!

    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • 119: Best of The Prison Officer - Interview w/Mark Schrieber - Missouri’s Prison Legacy
    Jan 19 2026

    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)


    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!

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 29 mins
  • 118: From Secure Walls To Open Halls: A Corrections Officer’s Guide To Safe Hospital Escorts
    Jan 5 2026

    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

    PepperBall
    From crowd control to cell extractions, the PepperBall system is the safe, non-lethal option.

    OMNI
    OMNI is cutting-edge software designed to track inmates and assets within your prison or jail.

    Command Presence
    Bringing prisons and jails the training they deserve!

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    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!

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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