Locked In with Ian Bick

• I Was a Rikers Island Prison Guard — Here's Why I Quit | Jelani Vanholten

  Jelani Vanholten didn’t grow up wanting to work inside one of America’s most dangerous jails—but life led him behind the walls of Rikers Island. After attending college and trying several career paths, he put on the correctional officer uniform and was assigned to one of Rikers’ most feared units: The House of Pain.Inside those walls, respect wasn’t given—it was earned. Jelani became known as a CO who treated inmates with firmness and fairness, earning credibility from both staff and prisoners. But the longer he stayed inside Rikers, the darker the job became. From daily violence and psychological battles to navigating gang politics and surviving high-tension housing units, Jelani saw the brutal reality of New York City’s jail system up close. But everything changed when he felt his life was in danger—and the department didn’t have his back. #RikersIsland #PrisonStories #FormerCO #LawEnforcementLife #PrisonGuard #InsideTheSystem #WhyIQuit #truecrimepodcast Connect with Jelani Vanholten: https://www.instagram.com/broadwaycasino?igsh=MXFxMDdjc3owZTl3OQ== Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 The Rikers “House of Pain” Unit Explained 00:38 Who Is Delani? Meet Today’s Guest 02:12 Growing Up in NYC & Early Survival Skills 04:46 Childhood Friendships & Street Lessons 05:52 Dreaming of Music & Reality Hitting Hard 06:44 First Encounters with the Justice System 07:59 Choosing a Career in Law Enforcement 09:03 Applying to Work at Rikers Island 10:07 The Corrections Academy: What It’s REALLY Like 11:17 Mental & Physical Challenges in Training 12:56 The OC Spray Test — Everyone Breaks Here 14:39 Training vs. The Actual Jail… No Comparison 15:54 How Delani’s Family Reacted to the Job 20:28 Day One on Rikers Island — Shock to the System 24:19 The First Shifts: Chaos, Noise & Control 27:05 Breaking Up Fights & When Force Is Necessary 30:12 Working the Mental Health Units 32:04 A Crisis in Segregation — Life or Death Decision 36:43 Controlled Chaos & Officer Culture on the Job 42:06 How Officers Earn Respect Inside 49:20 Balancing Rapport with Inmates vs. Authority 01:03:12 Boundaries, Respect, and When to Act 01:09:54 The Moment Respect Starts to Slip 01:10:54 Why Delani Ultimately Left Rikers 01:18:16 Feeling Betrayed by the Department 01:23:52 The Breaking Point: Safety vs. Family 01:27:17 Life After Rikers — What Comes Next 01:33:01 New Work & Purpose Beyond Corrections 01:34:57 Looking Back: The Cost of the Job 01:35:32 Closing Thoughts & Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• I Was An FBI Task Force Cop - Then Addiction Nearly Ruined Me | Keith Shibley

  Keith Shibley was the kind of cop who ran toward danger—until the danger followed him home. Starting his career with the Virginia Port Authority Police, Keith transitioned into the Richmond Police Department, where violence, shootings, and high-stakes calls were a daily reality. Seeking a new path, he returned to the Port Authority and eventually became part of an FBI task force, responding to domestic terrorism threats, high-profile shootings, and federal-level criminal activity. But while he was protecting the public, the trauma was destroying him privately. Years of front-line exposure led to crippling PTSD, driving Keith into a spiral of painkillers, alcohol, and self-destruction—all while still wearing the badge. His life and career were on the brink. Instead of losing everything, Keith made a life-altering decision: he asked for help. #FBITaskForce #AddictionRecovery #FormerCop #LawEnforcementStories #AddictionSurvivor #TrueCrimePodcast #PoliceToPrison #RedemptionStory Connect with Keith Shibley: Facebook: Keith Shibley Instagram: @keithshibley and @official_mindovermadness YouTube: @mindovermadnessmom Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 Opening: Inside the Mind of a Cop — Processing Trauma and Tragedy 02:35 Meet Keith Shibley: From Virginia Cop to FBI Task Force Member 08:09 Childhood, Family Struggles & Early Trauma 17:02 Why He Chose Policing & His First Steps Into Law Enforcement 24:05 Police Academy Stories & Port Authority Beginnings 29:44 Life in Richmond Police — Violence, Chaos & Hard Lessons 36:16 Coping Mechanisms, Brotherhood & Police Culture 43:35 The Calls That Haunt You — Death, Grief & Emotional Toll 52:40 Working Domestic Terrorism & High-Risk Operations 01:00:56 The Navy Yard Shooting — What Really Happened That Day 01:12:32 Addiction Takes Over — Pills, Alcohol & Denial 01:24:52 The Breaking Point: Intervention, Rehab & Recovery 01:35:23 Overcoming Stigma & Inspiring Other First Responders 01:43:40 Mental Health, Programs & Breaking the Silence 01:49:44 Final Reflections — Healing, Hope & Purpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• I Was A Connecticut Cop For Two Decades | Charles Grady

  Charles Grady grew up in Connecticut and embarked on what many only dream of—a career in law enforcement. With over two decades on the front lines tackling violent gangs, drug traffickers, and homicides across the state, Grady made his mark as a relentless detective and federal task-force agent. After more than 20 years, he transitioned into groundbreaking work in community reintegration and gang violence prevention, founding programs like Hang Time to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives. #PoliceStories #LawEnforcementLife #FormerCop #RealCrimeStories #PoliceExperience #ConnecticutPolice #BehindTheBadge #truecrimepodcast Thank you to PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Connect with Charles Grady: https://hangtimerealtalk.org/about/ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 Opening – How Drugs Shape Crime in America 02:00 Who is Charles Grady? Becoming a Respected Cop 05:20 The “Us vs. Them” Documentary & Why It Matters 08:30 Labels, Judgment & Giving People Second Chances 13:00 Childhood, Family Values & Early Lessons 17:20 Why He Became a Police Officer 24:00 Race, Identity & Policing in America 28:40 Addiction, Crime & Cycles That Repeat 34:00 Personal Growth, Redemption & Transformation 41:40 Motorcycle Unit Stories & On-the-Street Moments 45:45 Narcotics Work, Youth Education & Evolving Policing 50:00 High-Stakes Cases & Task Force Work 56:00 How Police Can Truly Impact a Community 01:02:00 The “Good Guy vs Bad Guy” Mindset 01:06:00 Gun Violence, Numbness & Public Safety Today 01:13:40 Joining the Federal Task Force: New Challenges 01:21:00 Documentary Work & Changing the Narrative 01:27:00 Retirement, Purpose & Building the Hangtime Movement 01:32:00 Advice for People Re-Entering Society 01:41:30 Final Reflections & Life Wisdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• I Went to Prison for January 6th | Eliot Resnick

  Elliot Resnick grew up in a stable, loving home and lived what many would consider a “normal life.” He worked in journalism, had a deep interest in politics, and reported on major national stories. But everything changed on January 6th, 2021. After attending the Capitol event that day, Elliot followed the crowd inside — a decision that would come back to haunt him nearly two years later. In a shocking turn, federal agents arrested him, and he was charged for his involvement in storming the U.S. Capitol. He was later sentenced to federal prison, facing the reality of losing everything — his freedom, career, and reputation. But his story didn’t end there. While serving time, Elliot became one of the few involved in the January 6th cases to receive a presidential pardon — granted by former President Donald Trump — leading to his early release. #January6 #CapitolRiot #PrisonStory #ExConStory #Prisoner #RealStory #RedemptionJourney #FirstHandAccount Connect with Elliot Resnick: X: @ResnickElliot Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 The Journalist Who Went to Prison – Introduction 01:21 From News Reporter to Federal Inmate 04:43 Visiting Hours, Family Support & What Prison Teaches You 10:44 Childhood, Upbringing & Early Lessons in Life 17:42 Discovering Politics & Finding a Voice 23:43 15 Years in Journalism – Covering the Stories That Mattered 29:57 Life Before Everything Changed 34:43 January 6th: Why He Went to the Capitol 41:43 Inside the Chaos – Crowd, Police & Personal Motives 49:43 After the Capitol: Regret, Reflection & Reality 55:52 Coming Home & Facing the Fallout 01:00:22 The FBI Knock & Facing Federal Charges 01:08:25 Inside Danbury Federal Prison – First Day to Daily Routine 01:15:46 Faith Behind Bars – The Role of Religion in Survival 01:22:13 Trump’s Pardon & Life After Prison 01:26:00 Lessons on Justice, Freedom & Redemption Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• I Was a Michigan Gang Detective | Drew Snarey

  Drew Snarey has lived a career most people only see in movies — from busting gangs in Michigan to protecting high-profile federal figures. He began as a Michigan police officer before transitioning into detective work focused on gang activity and organized crime. His investigative skills led him to serve on multiple federal task forces, where he helped dismantle violent criminal networks and worked closely with top federal agencies. Eventually, Drew made the leap from state law enforcement to the federal level, joining the United States Secret Service and later working alongside other elite federal agencies. In this episode, Drew opens up about life on the streets as a young cop, taking down dangerous crews, navigating the politics of law enforcement, joining federal operations, and the reality of working inside one of America’s most elite agencies. He also reflects on the emotional toll these careers take and shares advice for anyone considering a path in law enforcement. #GangDetective #MichiganGangs #TrueCrimePodcast #FormerCop #GangLifeExposed #LawEnforcementStories #PoliceInterviews #streetcrimeuk Thank you to PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode: Prizepicks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Connect with Drew Snarey: Frontlineathletic.com Instagram @frontline_athletic TikTok  @frontline.athletic YouTube @frontlineathletic Facebook Frontline Athletic X @frontline_ruck Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 From Local Cop to Federal Agent: Drew’s Story Begins 02:00 Law Enforcement Career Overview: Gangs, Feds & the Secret Service 06:00 Childhood, Motivation & Getting on the Force 13:00 What Working Inside a County Jail Really Teaches You 20:00 Joining the Gang Unit & Learning to Think Like a Criminal 27:00 Cracking a Major Organized Crime Case That Changed Everything 36:00 Inside the Process: How Organized Crime Investigations Are Built 47:00 Informants, Fencers & The Hidden Players Behind Gang Operations 55:00 Why So Many Youth Fall into Gangs: Poverty, Identity & Survival 01:03:00 Misconceptions About Gang Members & The Power of Second Chances 01:11:00 Gang Detective War Stories & The Personal Toll on Cops 01:19:00 Jumping to the Feds: Joining the Secret Service & What Shocked Him Most 01:33:00 How Social Media Changed Law Enforcement Perception Forever 01:41:00 Biggest Lessons from 20+ Years in Policing & Federal Work 01:43:00 Final Thoughts, Advice for Future Officers & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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