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  1. Home
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  3. Michael Cantrell
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Michael Cantrell

Host | Consultant | Master Instructor
The Prison Officer Podcast
Country or state 
United States
Available to 
Global
City 
Missouri
Fee 
Languages 
English
Volunteer
Yes
Timezone 
America/Chicago

Personal Details

Bio

Michael Cantrell is a retired federal corrections professional with over 29 years of experience and the 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.

Current position (4)

Host | Consultant | Master Instructor

The Prison Officer Podcast

Master Instructor

Pepperball

Owner/Strategic Advisor

OMNI

Chief - Emergency Preparedness (retired)

Federal Breau of Prisons

Presentations

Presentations (4)
Leadership & Developing a Personal Vision Statement
It's Your Journey - The Road to Being a Leader
Becoming a Correctional Officer
Staying Positive in a Negative Enviroment
Past talks (1)
It's Your Journey
Missouri Correctional Association
Lake of the Ozarks, MO
  • All (2)
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Slides (1)
  • One sheet (1)
This speaker hasn't uploaded any videos yet.
This speaker hasn't uploaded any photos yet.
Michael Cantrell - One Sheet
This speaker hasn't uploaded any press information yet.

Books & Articles (9)

POWER SKILLS: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, First Responders, and Beyond
Gray Line Leadership LLC,
2025
Keys to Your New Career: Information and Guidance to Get Hired and be successful as a Correctional or Detention Officer
Gray Line Leadership LLC,
2023
Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide your Life and Career!
KDP,
2023
Born of the Ozarks: A Legacy of Words
2020
Monotonous Chaos: Ramblings of a Prison Guard
2017
Embracing Reverse Mentorship and what it can Mean for your Agency CAN MEAN FOR YOUR AGENCY - AMERICAN JAILS MAGAZINE
7 steps to leading your Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT)
8 pieces of advice for new correctional officers
5 types of correctional breaching

Expertise (16)

Leadership
Law / Legal
Government
Social & Political
Health & Well-being
Leadership prison employees Prison Survival Techniques Prisons Building Resilience Jails non lethal deescalation De-escalation corrections personal vision Crisis Leadership

Clients

College of the Ozarks
University of Central Missouri
Mid Town Neighborhood Watch - Springfield, MO
2019 Federal Bureau of Prisons - Captains Conference
Schweitzer United Methodist - Skill Camp - Personal Safety
University of Dubuque
Missouri Correctional Association
United States Medical Center - BOP
Instituto Franklin-Universidad de Alcalá, Spain
FMC Devens Correctional Workers Week
Southwest Public Safety and Corrections Conference 2025
ILEETA - International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Conference

Reviews

Testimonials (1)
  • Michael is an engaging, interactive, and captivating presenter. I invited him to speak with my Management Communication class at the University of Central Missouri about his leadership journey and the importance of developing a personal vision statement. Mike explained the difference between tactical and strategic leadership, and how he has developed as a leader overtime in different positions he has held with the Bureau of Prisons. I received incredibly positive feedback from my students, who found his talk inspiring and motivational, especially because they are getting ready to graduate and enter the job market. Mike has a way of bringing content to life by sharing stories that connect to the audience and prompt self-reflection; I hope to bring him back to my class in future semesters.
    Jaclyn K Brandhorst
    Verified
Recommendations
Why choose me? 

Interactive, thought-provoking, with real experience, and a 29-year Law Enforcement Instructor.

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