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What happens when a police officer's career evolves into revolutionizing corrections technology? Alisha Shoates-James takes us on her remarkable journey from patrolling Nashville streets to developing innovative tablet solutions that transform prison environments nationwide.

Drawing from her seven years in law enforcement and extensive experience as a federal probation officer, Shoates-James intimately understands the complexities of our justice system. Her work creating pre-sentence investigation reports for federal judges provided deep insights into the human stories behind criminal cases. "The person is not their lowest moment," she emphasizes, a philosophy that guided her leadership of Tennessee's Probation and Parole Division, where she supervised 1,200 staff responsible for 78,000 individuals reentering society.

Now at Aventive Technologies, Shoates-James pioneers secure tablet solutions that are deployed to 1,200,000 incarcerated individuals in America's prisons and jails. These devices deliver far more than entertainment—they provide critical education, rehabilitative programming, and family connection for incarcerated individuals while creating calmer, safer environments for staff. Correctional administrators report significant reductions in facility tension and behavioral incidents after implementing this technology. "When we introduce tablets into the environment, suddenly everyone has equal access to education," Shoates-James explains, describing how digital learning eliminates waiting lists for limited classroom seats.

Subscribe to the Prison Officer Podcast for more insights into the evolving world of corrections and innovative approaches to rehabilitation and reentry.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alishasjames

Aventiv https://aventiv.com/

Securus Technologies https://securustech.net/

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When was the last time you heard a positive story about what happens inside America's jails? For most of us, these facilities only make headlines when something goes wrong—an escape, a use-of-force incident, or a facility failure. But as Major Shaun Klucznik reveals in this compelling conversation, corrections professionals save lives, change futures, and demonstrate extraordinary leadership every single day, largely without recognition.

Major Klucznik's remarkable journey from a 19-year-old corrections cadet to the 45th President of the American Jail Association offers a window into how corrections work and builds exceptional leaders. Starting at $5.60 an hour in 1997, he rose through the ranks while witnessing the profession's transformation. His pivotal role in transitioning Hernando County Jail from private to public operation showcases the complex management challenges correctional leaders navigate.

"Every position is a position of leadership," Klucznik emphasizes, noting how correctional officers develop crucial skills managing challenging situations with minimal resources beyond their communication abilities. This crucible of leadership development explains why so many officers become community leaders outside work—coaching youth sports, leading religious programs, and serving their communities.

The conversation delves into the critical role Field Training Officers play in shaping agency culture, the need for transparent communication with the public about both successes and failures, and how leadership philosophies like Jocko Willink's "Extreme Ownership" create empowered, accountable correctional teams. Klucznik also addresses the profession's fight for recognition as first responders, noting correctional officers are first on scene for suicide attempts, medical emergencies, and facility crises.

Whether you work in corrections or simply want to understand this essential but often invisible profession, this episode provides invaluable insights into the leadership, professionalism, and dedication that define America's correctional workforce. As Klucznik powerfully argues, corrections isn't a stepping stone—it's a legitimate career where professionals make life-changing differences every

E-mail Shaun at shaunk@aja.org

American Jail Association https://www.americanjail.org/

Mentioned by Shaun - Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

Also, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond

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This is a Re-Broadcast of The Silence Crisis in Corrections with Michael Cantrell from The Independent Voter Podcast -

https://olasmedia.com/blogs/behind-the-bars-beyond-the-badge-the-hidden-struggles-of-correctional-officers

Think the justice system only affects the incarcerated? Think again. In this episode of the How It Really Works series of the Independent Voter Podcast, Chad Peace sits down with corrections expert Michael Cantrell to unpack the hidden mental health crisis facing correctional officers across the country.

Cantrell, a former officer and host of the Prison Officer Podcast, reveals how burnout, PTSD, and emotional isolation have become normalized in a profession that rarely makes the headlines. From training culture to administrative neglect, this conversation peels back the layers on a system that’s breaking the very people we expect to hold it together.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about justice reform—and it’s just one chapter in a much bigger story.

Chad Peace chad@ivc.media

www.olasmedia.com

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Brian Antonelli, known throughout corrections as "the fixer," pulls back the curtain on what it takes to restore order in some of America's most challenging prisons. Drawing from 32 years of distinguished service in federal and state corrections, Antonelli shares candid stories about transforming troubled facilities like USP Hazleton, where he arrived shortly after high-profile homicides to implement sweeping reforms.

The conversation takes us through Antonelli's remarkable journey from Air Force security forces to becoming a nationally recognized correctional leader. With refreshing honesty, he discusses the realities of prison management – from dealing with gang violence and homicides over trivial debts to the delicate balance of pushing for reform without alienating staff. His experiences activating new facilities, managing high-security inmates, and designing emergency response protocols provide a masterclass in correctional leadership.

What sets this episode apart is Antonelli's unique perspective on physical discipline as a foundation for leadership. As both a black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and a competitive powerlifter, he explains how martial arts training creates officers who make better decisions under pressure: "I think one of the biggest things that jiu-jitsu gives you is the ability to make tough decisions in the worst possible scenarios." This philosophy extends to his management approach, where he advocates empowering staff to develop solutions rather than micromanaging from above.

The conversation delves into practical leadership frameworks, including the OODA loop for decision-making and techniques for tactfully influencing superiors when necessary. Antonelli's guiding principle—"You can't have programming without discipline, order, and control"—resonates throughout as he explains his counterinsurgency-inspired "Seize Clear, Build, Hold" model for regaining control of troubled facilities.

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about corrections leadership, or check out his books for deeper insights into restoring order in challenging correctional environments.

Bryan on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/bryan-a-9b88b44a

Bryan Books:

Leadership Field Manual For Correctional Professionals

SEIZE, CLEAR, BUILD, HOLD: REGAINING CONTROL OF TROUBLED PRISONS

Also, check out Michael's newest book - POWER SKILLS for Correctional Professionals

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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 thrown into supervising inmates during a power outage with zero training, and how these moments shaped his understanding of corrections as a profession requiring specialized skills and knowledge.

As founder of ARC Tactical (Automatic Response Concepts) and director of training with Safe Restraints Inc., Fasnacht has developed innovative approaches to cell extractions, transport procedures, and restraint techniques that prioritize safety for both officers and inmates. His company's training programs have reached correctional facilities across America and internationally, including the United Arab Emirates and Australia, demonstrating the universal need for better tactical preparation in correctional settings.

Whether you're a correctional professional looking to enhance your skills, an administrator seeking to improve your department's safety record, or simply interested in understanding the complex world behind the walls, this episode offers valuable insights into the specialized knowledge required to work effectively in one of society's most demanding environments.

Check out arctac.net to learn more about upcoming training opportunities and resources for correctional professionals.

Contact Tim @ ARC Tactical: tim@arctac.net

Contact Ian @ Chisel & Stone: Ian@chiselandstone.net

Check Out Michael Cantrell new book: POWER SKILLS for Corrections - You can pre-order here https://amzn.to/4iG2FtX

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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 Cantrell's appointment to the Advisory Board on Corrections for the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA). This significant development represents a deliberate effort to bring corrections expertise into an organization that has traditionally focused on law enforcement training. Through panel discussions and networking at the ILEETA conference, Cantrell helped identify critical training needs in corrections, including leadership and Correctional Training Officer (CTO) development, specifically designed for correctional environments and based on a new CTE (Coach - Train - Evaluate).

At the heart of this episode is Cantrell's compelling discussion of his upcoming book on emotional intelligence and soft skills. He shares how his perspective transformed after hearing these capabilities described as "superpowers" rather than merely empathetic exercises. Through personal stories and practical examples, Cantrell breaks down the four components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.

Cantrell challenges listeners to recognize that every correctional officer is a leader who can positively influence workplace culture. He emphasizes that communication significantly impacts perceptions of professionalism, whether through face-to-face interactions, emails, or other channels.

Ready to transform your effectiveness as a corrections professional? Listen now to discover the "Power Skills" that can elevate your career and improve workplace culture.

Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer by Michael Cantrell

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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 the Marines, meeting his wife in Okinawa, and the trials of transitioning back to civilian life—only to find his way back to the Corps. His insights offer a rare glimpse into a world of discipline, camaraderie, and the often-overlooked aspects of military life.

Our conversation takes a thought-provoking turn as we discuss the nuances of the military justice system, touching on court-martials, prisoner rehabilitation, and the transformative power of correctional custody programs. Jimmy's personal anecdotes about leading these programs, both in the U.S. and Japan, shed light on their potential to change lives.

Listen in as Jimmy and I recount how our careers crossed, supervising one of the most murderous inmates in prison history, Clayton Fountain.

You can contact James here: jimmymitsuko@icloud.com

Check out Michael Cantrell's books here:

Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and Be Successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFWYSFMK/ref=nosim?tag=prisonoffic05-20

Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW344T4B/ref=nosim?tag=prisonoffic05-20

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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 transitioned into a civilian role, first as a municipal police officer and later embarking on a remarkable 30-year career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Chris's story is a testament to personal growth and adaptability and an enlightening guide to the diverse career paths available within the Bureau of Prisons.

The episode uncovers the complex realities and rewarding challenges of positions like lieutenant and associate warden, emphasizing the essential roles they play in maintaining safety and order within prison environments. Chris highlights the significance of mentorship and how it shaped his transition from managing daily incidents to overseeing emergency preparedness and critical operations. Whether you're considering a career in corrections or simply looking for leadership inspiration, Chris's journey offers valuable lessons and insights.

Chris's email - cmcconnell1968@outlook.com

Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlmcconnell/

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