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Former CDCR Lieutenant Alex Duran shares his journey from county jail deputy to prison leadership, offering an unfiltered look at the realities of correctional work and the mental toll it takes on officers.

• Started career at Kern County Detention in 2012 during AB-109 implementation when state inmates flooded county facilities
• Transitioned to CDCR and witnessed Valley State Prison's conversion from a women's to men's facility
• Served on elite Crisis Response Teams that required intense physical testing and specialized training
• Promoted to sergeant at CTF Soledad and later worked at maximum-security Corcoran Prison
• Experienced the implementation of controversial non-designated yards that mixed traditional enemies
• Describes the unique challenges of working with mentally ill inmates in EOP programs
• Details the psychological impact of repeatedly witnessing violence and death in corrections
• Emphasizes the importance of command presence, communication skills, and physical fitness
• Explains why proper mentorship is critical for new officers and supervisors
• Advocates for better officer mental health support and creating stronger bonds among staff

If you want to connect with Alex, check out his TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram under Corrections Unlocked where he continues to share insights from his corrections career.

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Former correctional deputy Kelly shares her journey from San Jose to San Luis Obispo County jail, revealing the challenges and realities of working in corrections during significant policy changes. Her candid account provides insight into the demands of maintaining order and safety within county facilities while navigating political pressures and system-wide transformations.

• Command presence and communication skills are vital for correctional officers regardless of physical size
• AB-109 dramatically changed county jails by transferring state prisoners to facilities not designed for long-term incarceration
• Overcrowding led to unsafe conditions with inmates sleeping on floors and classification officers constantly struggling to maintain standards
• The psychological toll of working with inmates at their worst requires strong boundaries and mental health awareness
• Political pressure and changing attitudes toward law enforcement created an environment where officers feared consequences for doing their jobs as trained
• Setting appropriate boundaries with inmates is crucial, especially for female officers
• Making physical and mental health a priority is essential for surviving a career in corrections
• The decision to leave the profession came after COVID protocols compounded existing challenges

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What does it take to become an effective police officer in today's complex world? Former narcotics officer Daryl takes us behind the badge, revealing the psychological chess match between law enforcement and criminal elements that most civilians never see.

Daryl's journey began after a baseball career-ending injury forced him to pivot his life plans. Growing up in an area regularly patrolled by law enforcement, he was drawn to the profession by officers who carried themselves with what he calls "command presence" - the ability to project authority and control situations without excessive force. This became central to his own policing philosophy: set the tone immediately, and you'll prevent situations from escalating.

The conversation ventures into the shadowy world of undercover narcotics work, where Daryl wore disguises, carried body wires, and purchased drugs to build cases against dealers. His vivid descriptions of massage parlor stings and undercover drug buys at public parks illuminate the psychological strain of maintaining cover while surrounded by dangerous individuals. "Undercover is more of a mindset than really clothing," he explains, revealing how officers must embody different personas while remaining tactically aware.

Perhaps most compelling is Daryl's candid discussion of his officer-involved shooting and the mental processing afterwards. With equal frankness, he addresses how legislative changes like Proposition 47 affected officer morale when they saw the same offenders back on the streets almost immediately after arrest.

Now focused on fitness training for law enforcement, Daryl emphasizes that physical readiness directly impacts psychological preparedness. His story offers rare insight into how effective officers balance mental toughness with tactical skill in a profession where split-second decisions can have life-altering consequences.

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