Locked In with Ian Bick

Steven Dominguez was a correction officer at Rikers Island. Norman Seabrook ran the correction officers' union. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, they sit down face to face for a rare and uncomfortable conversation — one that holds a corrupt guard accountable in front of the man who was supposed to represent him. They debate corruption, power, and the reality of working inside one of America's most controversial jail systems — challenging each other on what's truth and what's misunderstood, and asking whether meaningful reform at Rikers Island is even possible today.

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#RikersIsland #PrisonCorruption #TrueCrime

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Watch my interview wirh Steven Dominguez:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EvupiKuyuw&t=166s

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Watch my interview with Norman Seabrook:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5Q7tofDnJ8&t=1s

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Connect with Steven Dominguez:
https://www.instagram.com/chillstevie/

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Connect with Norman Seabrook:
https://www.instagram.com/normseabrook/

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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/

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Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop

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Timestamps:
00:00 Corrupt Rikers Guard vs Honest Union Boss — The Full Story
01:53 The Corruption and Dysfunction Inside Rikers Island Nobody Talks About
04:42 How the System Capitalism and Jail Jobs Create Corrupt Officers
07:02 Why So Many Young Inexperienced Officers End Up Corrupt at Rikers
10:30 Personal Stories and the Family Ties That Pull People Into Jail Work
13:04 The Reality of Corruption at Rikers — What Becomes Normal and Why
16:17 Temptation Greed and the Moment Officers Choose to Cross the Line
18:42 How Leadership Addiction and Culture Among Officers Enables Corruption
22:17 Who Is Really Responsible When Officers Go Bad
24:18 Real Corruption Stories and the Consequences Nobody Prepares You For
27:40 The Mental Health Crisis Inside Rikers and How It Feeds the Cycle
33:40 Second Chances and What Redemption Really Looks Like After Corruption
36:20 The Lessons Learned and How Community Influence Shapes Everything
38:16 The Broken Infrastructure and Safety Crisis Nobody Wants to Address
40:54 The Leadership Decisions That Could Actually Fix Rikers Island
44:00 Closing Rikers Island — The Real Solutions and Real Consequences
46:25 What a Warden Would Actually Do Differently — Reform From the Inside
50:26 How Hip Hop Culture and Society Shape What Happens Inside Rikers
53:36 Communication Humanity and What It Really Takes to Break the Cycle
58:06 Why Supervisor Support Is the Single Most Important Factor at Rikers
01:03:11 Final Thoughts — What Both Men Want You to Know About Rikers Island

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To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka
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Dr. Becky Fenton started her career as a psychologist at Sing Sing Correctional Facility before being recruited to Rikers Island to supervise its psychiatric division — one of the largest and most challenging mental health systems in the country. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Becky breaks down what it was really like working inside one of America's most notorious jail systems from the other side of the cell door. She opens up about the violence and instability inside Rikers, the trauma on both sides of the system, her role in implementing Crisis Intervention Training for mental health emergencies, and what it takes to stay grounded when the environment around you is anything but.

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#RikersIsland #PrisonPsychology #TrueCrime

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Connect with Dr Becky Fenton:
https://www.longislandpsychologyandconsulting.com/
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/

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Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop

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Timestamps:
00:00 From Prison Psychologist to Private Practice — Her Story
01:48 The Early Influences and Personality That Led Her to This Work
03:37 The Education and Career Shift Nobody Expected
06:00 How She Ended Up as a Psychologist Inside Prison
08:49 Sing Sing vs Rikers Island — The Differences Nobody Talks About
11:16 Mental Health Inside Prison vs Mental Health in Hospitals — The Reality Gap
14:24 When Security and Mental Health Priorities Collide — Who Wins
18:18 Safety Violence and What It Really Takes to Advocate for Staff
20:59 How Trauma Shapes Inmate Behavior — What Most People Get Wrong
24:15 Vicarious Trauma — What Working in Prison Does to the Staff
27:15 Crisis Intervention and Deescalation — What Actually Works Behind Bars
32:33 What a Typical Day Really Looks Like Working at Rikers Island
36:31 Suicide Watch and What Inmate Care Actually Involves
39:12 Male vs Female Jails — The Shocking Differences Nobody Discusses
44:01 A Complete Day Inside Rikers Island — Hour by Hour Reality
47:20 What Destroys New Staff and How to Survive the First Year
53:01 The Truth About Solitary Confinement — What the Research Actually Shows
56:01 Rehabilitation vs Punishment — Which One Actually Works
01:00:41 Medication Management and What Happens to Inmates at Discharge
01:03:41 The Non Clinical Duties Nobody Warns You About in Federal Systems
01:06:50 How She Switched Off After Working in One of the World's Most Stressful Environments
01:10:14 The Programs and Therapy Practices That Actually Make a Difference
01:13:11 Why She Finally Left Rikers Island — The Real Reason
01:16:12 Private Practice and Why She Still Advocates for Prison Reform
01:19:01 What She Would Tell Her Younger Self — Final Thoughts

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To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bernie Meehan spent over 40 years on the front lines as both a paramedic and firefighter — responding to emergencies most people never have to witness. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Bernie opens up about the realities of a career spent in the chaos of life and death situations, the calls that stuck with him long after the sirens stopped, and what four decades in emergency services really does to a person. He breaks down what first responders actually deal with behind the scenes — the adrenaline, the trauma, the toughest moments — and the perspective on life that only comes from spending 40 years running toward danger when everyone else runs away.

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#Paramedic #Firefighter #FirstResponder

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Connect with Bernie Meehan:
https://www.facebook.com/bernie.meehan/

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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/

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Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop

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Timestamps:
00:00 40 Years as a Paramedic and Firefighter — Bernie's Story
00:20 Growing Up in the Country and How It Shaped Everything
01:08 The Family Influence and the Moment He Knew Fire Service Was His Calling
02:11 His First Steps Into EMS and the Fire Service
02:52 Why He Chose Fire Service Over Everything Else
04:08 The Real Relationship Between Fire Service and Law Enforcement
05:06 What a Career as a Paramedic Actually Looks Like
06:12 Early Paramedic Training and the Manhattan Stories Nobody Forgets
07:18 How EMS Has Changed and Why It's Harder Than Ever
08:21 Paramedic vs Nurse — The Differences Nobody Talks About
09:44 How the Drug Crisis Changed Paramedic Work Forever
11:02 EMS Then vs Now — How the Opioid Epidemic Changed Everything
12:54 The Career Defining Moments That Changed How He Sees the Job
13:57 Why Paramedics and Firefighters Don't Get the Recognition They Deserve
15:07 Urban vs Rural EMS — The Quality Gap Nobody Discusses
17:17 Fire Service in Rural Areas and the Ambulance Access Problem
18:52 What It Takes to Become a Firefighter Today vs Then
20:16 The Training Education and Ongoing Learning Nobody Warns You About
22:23 The Biggest Challenges Facing New Firefighters Today
23:28 The Non Emergency Calls That Take Up More Time Than You Think
25:06 Holiday Hazards and the Thanksgiving Stories He'll Never Forget
27:29 How They Prioritize Calls and the Unusual Emergencies Nobody Expects
29:23 The Moments of Real Danger and What Command Leadership Really Looks Like
31:03 How Experienced Responders Predict Emergency Outcomes
32:13 The Most Common Calls and the Hidden Problem of Hoarding
34:34 Hoarding Obesity and the Unique Rescue Challenges Nobody Talks About
38:33 The Real Causes of House Fires and the Safety Culture That Could Prevent Them
40:31 How Modern Technology Is Changing Firefighting and Response Times
43:33 On the Scene — Incident Priorities and the Animal Rescues Nobody Expects
46:09 Coping With Tragedy — How First Responders Handle the Emotional Toll
51:10 How Mental Health Support for First Responders Has Finally Started to Change
54:28 Why There Is Never a Quiet Day in EMS — The Workload Reality
57:24 How Public Perception of First Responders Has Shifted
59:07 The Teamwork Between First Responders That Saves Lives
01:00:50 The Most Difficult Calls — Crashes and How Auto Technology Is Changing Everything
01:06:37 The Practical Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life in a Car Emergency
01:10:58 Holiday Emergencies — Fireworks Nightclubs and the Calls Nobody Plans For
01:14:50 The Unique Calls From Nightlife and What They Taught Him
01:20:26 How First Responders Are Adjusting to New and Changing Risks
01:26:39 Supporting Mental Health After Tragedy — What Actually Works
01:33:31 What It's Really Like Responding Inside Prisons and Institutions
01:37:37 Fire Safety in Prisons and Large Events — What Nobody Talks About
01:41:11 Mental Health Advocacy and the Long Road to Trauma Recovery
01:49:19 His Advice for New First Responders and How the System Needs to Change
01:51:31 Career Reflections — What 40 Years on the Front Lines Taught Him
01:54:10 Why He Embraced the Chaos and What It Gave Him
01:56:00 Final Thoughts — The Power of Change and What Comes Next

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To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kenneth Ventresca spent 20 years as a Connecticut State Trooper — rising from patrol officer to detective to sergeant working major crimes. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Kenneth breaks down what those two decades in law enforcement really looked like, the mental toll it takes, and the case that captivated the entire country — the Jennifer Dulos investigation. He gives an inside look at how major crime investigations actually unfold, what the public never got to see, and what it was really like being on the inside of one of Connecticut's most followed cases.

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#JenniferDulos #TrueCrime #Connecticut

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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/

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Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop

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Timestamps:
00:00 From State Trooper to Detective — His Story
02:00 How He Became a Connecticut State Trooper
04:00 Academy Training and the Discipline That Defined His Career
07:00 First Years on Patrol — What Nobody Prepares You For
12:00 The Mindset Behind Every Traffic Stop — What Officers Are Really Thinking
17:00 Highway Patrol Dangers — What Makes It One of the Most Dangerous Jobs in America
22:00 Why He Chose State Troopers Over Every Other Department
27:00 The Early Career Lessons That Shaped Everything
32:00 Learning From Trauma — The Calls That Changed Him Forever
41:00 Patrolling Highways vs Cities — The Difference Nobody Talks About
47:00 The Promotion to Detective — How Everything Changed
56:00 Becoming a Sergeant and the Leadership Challenges Nobody Warns You About
01:00:00 The Office Dynamics and Teamwork That Make or Break an Investigation
01:17:00 The Jennifer Dulos Case Begins — What the First Days Really Looked Like
01:34:00 Tracking Jennifer Dulos — How They Built the Investigation From Scratch
01:46:00 The Evidence That Broke the Case Open and Led to the Arrests
02:00:00 No Body No Closure — The Aftermath That Still Haunts Him
02:06:00 Burnout Depression and the Moment He Finally Asked for Help
02:18:00 Walking Away — Retirement Reflections and What Life Looks Like After
02:36:00 The ICAC Task Force and the Cases That Defined His Final Chapter

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To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jorge Polanco started his career inside one of the most notorious jail systems in America — Rikers Island. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Jorge breaks down what it was really like working inside Rikers as a correction officer, why he walked away after two years, and how that experience shaped the police officer he eventually became across Florida, Colorado and Texas.

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#RikersIsland #TrueCrime #LawEnforcement

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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/

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Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop

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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction & Early Life
01:19 Family Background and Work Ethic
02:14 Baseball Dreams & Growing Up in the Bronx
03:55 Teenage Influence and Choosing a Path
07:43 Discovering Law Enforcement
10:01 Starting in Corrections: Riker's Island Academy
12:13 First Days Inside Riker's Island
14:33 Experiences with Inmates & Managing Challenges
16:13 Mental Health & Family Impact
18:47 Temptations, Corruption & Integrity in Corrections
22:00 Learning the Hustle & Navigating the System
23:46 Officer Stories & Systemic Issues
26:16 Transitions, Family Struggles & Moving Forward
29:35 Becoming a Police Officer in Florida
31:40 Facing Discrimination and Professional Barriers
33:46 Social Media & Law Enforcement
36:50 Colorado & Different Policing Environments
39:28 Tough Cases & Feeling Powerless
41:21 Finding a Place in Texas Law Enforcement
42:10 Narcotics Detective & Personal Mission
44:20 Persistence, Setbacks & The Path to Success
47:10 Corrections Experience: Preparing for Policing
49:31 Differences Between Agencies & Career Transitions
52:30 Law Differences Across States
53:56 Murder Charges for Fentanyl Dealers
54:59 Personal Connection & Family Impact of Drugs
01:00:34 Parenthood, Family Stories & Personal Growth
01:07:01 Reflections, Goals & Role of Law Enforcement Today
01:09:03 Challenges of Policing in Modern Society
01:12:46 Therapy, Mental Health & Stress Management
01:15:41 Leaving Rikers & Lessons from Corrections
01:18:31 Memorable Inmates, Mental Health Units & Stories
01:21:29 Handling Retirement Across States
01:22:12 Policing in Texas & Drug Laws
01:24:26 Common Crimes & Domestic Violence
01:26:06 Adapting to New Regions & Reflections
01:27:32 Lessons Learned & Closing Thoughts

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To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices