Michael Cantrell is a retired federal corrections professional with over 29 years of experience and host of The Prison Officer Podcast. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons as Chief of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, where he specialized in crisis response, tactical operations and staff development.
During his career, Michael led special response teams, disturbance control units and canine operations. He is a certified instructor in firearms, non-lethal weapons, breaching techniques and disturbance control, and is recognized as a leading expert in correctional breaching operations.
Michael is the author of four books, including his latest work “Power Skills: Emotional Intelligence for High-Stakes Professionals” (2025), which focuses on developing practical emotional intelligence skills for corrections officers and first responders. His other works include “The Keys to Your Career in Corrections,” “Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career,” and “Born of the Ozarks.”
As a professional speaker and training coach, Michael regularly presents on leadership, emotional intelligence, and career development for corrections professionals. His work has been featured in over 50 published articles appearing in the ILEETA Journal, Corrections1.com, American Jails Magazine, and other industry publications.
Through The Prison Officer Podcast and his writing, Michael continues to support corrections professionals by providing practical strategies for career success, mental health resilience, and professional development. Contact him at mike@theprisonofficer.com or visit www.theprisonofficer.com.
