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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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From the tough streets of East St. Louis to the elite ranks of Navy SEALs and onto entrepreneurial success, Ty Smith's life journey embodies resilience in its truest form. Growing up without a father but with a police officer mother who kept him accountable, Ty found his calling at just 12 years old after watching "Navy SEALs" starring Charlie Sheen. That moment planted a seed that would guide him through life's challenges.

Ty's path wasn't without setbacks. His first attempt at the infamously brutal SEAL training ended when he quit during Hell Week. But this failure became a pivotal moment that ultimately strengthened his resolve. After serving as a military police officer in Sardinia, Italy, the events of 9/11 – which Ty experienced while flying into New York – reignited his determination. He returned to SEAL training with newfound maturity and purpose, successfully completing the program and embarking on multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

What makes Ty's story particularly compelling is his candid reflection on war's human dimension. He shares a profound moment when, during a raid, he nearly collided with two young Afghan girls fleeing a building he was about to clear. This split-second encounter forced him to confront war's impact on innocents and triggered deep questions about purpose and faith. Throughout intense firefights and dangerous missions, including a harrowing ambush by Taliban fighters, Ty's training prepared his actions while his humanity processed the experience.

After 20 years of military service, Ty successfully transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding ComSafe AI – a company using artificial intelligence to detect workplace issues in communication channels before they escalate. This "left of boom" approach mirrors his military mindset of preventing problems rather than managing their aftermath. Through it all, Ty's journey demonstrates how resilience, adaptability, and maintaining core values create success across vastly different worlds.

Ready to hear more stories of extraordinary resilience and transformation? Subscribe now and join us as we continue to explore the journeys of remarkable individuals who've beaten the odds and created extraordinary lives.

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Former Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputy Trent James shares raw, unfiltered stories from his time policing one of California's most remote and challenging regions as a resident deputy with backup an hour away.

• Growing up rebellious in Mendocino County before becoming a probation officer and later a deputy
• Life as a resident deputy in an isolated community with limited resources and communication
• Policing Native American reservations with complex jurisdictional considerations
• Developing relationships with community members, including those with criminal backgrounds
• The reality of working death investigations, homicides, and decomposing bodies alone
• Mental health struggles and the lack of support within law enforcement culture
• Leadership problems and corruption within rural police agencies
• The difficult transition from law enforcement to civilian life
• Finding fulfillment in the entertainment industry after leaving policing

If you're struggling with mental health issues in law enforcement or any field, don't be afraid to seek help. Your life and wellbeing matter more than what others might think.

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What does it take to transform from a troubled teen selling drugs on the streets to an elite Green Beret conducting high-risk missions in Afghanistan's deadliest provinces? Terry's story isn't just about combat—it's about the profound evolution of a man's understanding of purpose, leadership, and what true strength really means.

Terry pulls back the curtain on his blue-collar upbringing in St. Louis, where he lacked direction until finding structure in the military. His candid reflections on adolescent misconceptions—"There's three figures you looked up to as a male: the cop, the robber, and the action hero"—reveal how cultural influences shape young men's identities, often with destructive consequences.

The conversation takes us through explosive firefights in the Helmand Province where Terry's team would exhaust massive ammunition supplies during extended battles. But what truly sets this discussion apart is Terry's revelation that physical prowess was never the real challenge of Special Forces: "Understanding the human domain and understanding people and how to understand your own biases, understand their biases...that's the hardest part."

His account of responding to a helicopter crash site under heavy enemy fire offers a rare glimpse into the chaos, decision-making, and moral complexity of modern warfare. Terry doesn't shy away from criticizing the Afghanistan withdrawal, sharing the bitter disappointment many veterans felt watching allies being abandoned after years of shared sacrifice.

Most powerfully, Terry addresses the profound challenge of transitioning from warrior to civilian: "You put a hundred percent into something and then all of a sudden it's done." His journey reminds us that behind every uniform is a complex human story of adaptation, growth, and the ongoing search for meaning.

Follow Terry on Instagram @terrymwilsonjr as he continues his mission of coaching others through life's battlefields.

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When Cynthia walked away from her thriving nail salon business at 36 years old to become a correctional officer, she wasn't chasing adrenaline or power – she was seeking stability for her young daughter. What followed was a 17-year journey through California's prison system that tested her resilience, professionalism, and humanity in ways she never anticipated.

From her first days at Salinas Valley State Prison where she discovered weapon caches hidden behind classroom posters to the mental health units at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility where suicidal inmates awaited her arrival each morning, Cynthia's story illuminates the unique challenges female officers face in a male-dominated environment. "Your command presence is so important," she explains, revealing how professional demeanor and consistent communication became her most effective tools in maintaining safety and respect.

Through Cynthia's experiences, we witness the evolution of California's correctional system – from policy changes making indecent exposure no longer grounds for administrative segregation to the rapid promotion of inexperienced officers into leadership positions. Her frustrations with these shifts reveal deeper questions about safety, rehabilitation, and the purpose of incarceration itself. As she navigated increasingly dangerous conditions, Cynthia found her health, relationships, and personality transforming in concerning ways.

For those considering corrections work or already in the field, Cynthia offers hard-earned wisdom: "Don't get fixated on that overtime," she warns, having seen too many colleagues burn out chasing material goals at the expense of their wellbeing. Her advice to maintain outside interests, leave work at work, and pursue education resonates as both practical career guidance and a formula for survival.

Whether you're fascinated by corrections, considering a career change, or simply interested in understanding the human experience behind prison walls, Cynthia's journey offers rare insight into what it truly means to dedicate yourself to one of society's most challenging professions. What would you sacrifice for stability, and at what point would you walk away?

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Caesar shares his remarkable journey from being born in Mexico to becoming a U.S. Marine and later an ICE agent, before ultimately retiring when faced with the COVID vaccine mandate that contradicted his personal convictions.

• Growing up poor and constantly moving throughout California shaped his quiet personality and strong work ethic
• Joined the Marine Corps at 18 despite initial hesitation and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay for his first assignment
• Witnessed the stark differences between military leadership and federal agency management throughout his career
• Started as a detention officer with INS after working security, eventually transitioning to ICE after 9/11
• Observed increasing workplace politics, favoritism, and declining standards of professionalism over his two decades of service
• Refused the COVID vaccine despite pressure and potential career consequences, choosing principles over his position
• Experienced significant mental health struggles after retiring, spending nearly a year bedridden before beginning recovery
• Cautions those entering federal service with idealistic motivations that they may face disillusionment if they expect the same values as military service

"If you go into federal law enforcement just as a job to make money, you're going to do good, but if you go in there because of national security, because of the Constitution, the country, you're going to be disappointed and then you're going to be miserable."

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