Locked In with Ian Bick

Tyler Ryals couldn't get into the military, so at 18 years old he became a correctional officer in the Georgia state prison system. He quickly worked his way up, becoming one of the youngest CERT team commanders and sergeants in the system. Over nearly 10 years, he worked inside some of Georgia's most violent maximum-security prisons and witnessed firsthand how severe staffing shortages put both officers and inmates at risk. Eventually, Tyler became a whistleblower, speaking out about just how dangerous conditions inside Georgia's prison system had become — a decision that ultimately pushed him out of the career he had built.
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Thank you to AG1, HUNGRYROOT & CASH APP for sponsoring this episode:
AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin
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Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "THE COMMISSARY UPGRADE" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN
_____________________________________________
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod
Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
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Connect with Tyler Ryals:
https://linktr.ee/TylerRyalsX?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c0142663-7c83-4224-a495-33de8fbea012
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 A Brutal Attack
00:31 Tyler's Upbringing
01:42 Family and Early Plans
03:31 Failed Military Enlistment
04:45 Choosing Corrections
06:00 Age Requirements Then and Now
07:37 No Other Options
08:33 Juvenile Detention and Fight
10:15 The Legal Battle
13:44 Community Service
15:15 Inside YDC
17:44 Teenage Trouble
18:19 Parents' Reaction
20:04 Corrections Application
22:35 AG1 Advertisement
23:56 Training Begins
26:24 First Test
27:57 The Hole
28:50 Why Start in Max Security
29:25 BCOT Experience
30:53 Choosing a Shift
32:00 What is Tier?
35:13 Tier Program Expansion
36:20 Getting into Tier
37:00 Officer Role in Tier
40:14 Was the Tier Effective?
42:37 Career Goals
43:19 Joining the CERT Team
44:04 Cell Extraction Stories
45:00 Early Rise to Supervisor
45:50 Knife Extraction Part 1
49:40 Electrical Surprise
50:02 Hungryroot Ad
51:33 After the Extraction
52:15 Supervisor Pay and Benefits
53:37 High Turnover Reasons
54:36 First Day in Uniform
58:26 How Inmates Throw Poop
59:18 Getting Hit
01:00:00 The Flooding Incident
01:02:33 Keeping Professional
01:03:23 The Sour Milk Story
01:04:29 Dad's Advice
01:05:35 Worst Gangs
01:08:29 Paperwork and Snitches
01:10:57 Worst Thing Seen
01:13:31 State Reporting and Coverups
01:16:19 The 10% Reduction
01:17:18 Cash App Ad
01:19:52 First Misconduct by Staff
01:19:52 First Misconduct by Staff
01:21:00 Staff Shortages Worsen
01:23:19 Return to Telfair
01:25:40 Abandoned Buildings
01:27:40 Inmate-Reported Deaths
01:28:48 Dealing with Killers
01:29:39 Calling for the National Guard
01:32:48 The Whistleblowing Letter
01:33:56 Instructing and Realization
01:36:35 No Safety in Prisons
01:38:00 Meetings with Gang Members
01:40:20 Georgia State Prison Collapse
01:41:21 Buck Flaps
01:41:50 How Tyler Got Stabbed
01:46:10 Training Green Officers
01:48:20 Gear Shortages
01:49:45 The Cell Extraction Begins
01:52:08 The Struggle
01:57:40 The Aftermath
02:01:20 Machete Incident
02:02:00 Post-Extraction Chaos
02:02:30 Wrapping Up
02:03:00 Constitutional Violations
02:03:40 The Bloods vs GDs War
02:04:56 Final Thoughts
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

James Kearney grew up in New York City as the son of a Rikers Island correctional officer. He originally wanted to become a teacher, but ultimately followed in his father's footsteps and joined the New York City Department of Correction in the late 1990s. By his third year on the job, he had become one of the youngest captains in Rikers Island history. But stepping into leadership exposed him to a side of the system he never expected — inexperienced people being placed in positions they weren't prepared for, and a culture that didn't always welcome those who challenged it. When James tried to address what he was seeing, he says he experienced the full weight of institutional retaliation. Less than a decade into his career, an injury on the job ultimately led to his medical retirement.
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Thank you to CASH APP, AG1, & HUNGRYROOT for sponsoring this episode:
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod
_____________________________________________
Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
_____________________________________________
AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin
_____________________________________________
Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "THE COMMISSARY UPGRADE" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: James Kernney's Rikers Story
00:45 Growing Up and Family Background
03:37 Father's Influence and Taking the Civil Service Test
05:50 The Job vs. Career: Advice for New Officers
07:20 Problems in the System: Contraband and Nepotism
09:29 The Best Kept Secret: Rikers Island
10:43 Promotion Process: Becoming a Captain
12:27 Mini Medical Incompetence and Weight Requirements
14:50 Fastest Promotion: Youngest Captain in History
17:27 Academy Life and First Days
19:42 First Assignment: C76 and Learning the Ropes
22:45 Queen's House: The Preferred Command
24:32 Sentenced vs. Remanded Inmates
26:42 First Lessons: Academy vs. Reality
29:00 Use of Force Directive and Its Flaws
32:25 Officers and Inmates: Handling with Care
34:05 Surprises: Nepotism and Comfort with Favors
36:49 Night Tours and Midnight Intake Duties
38:00 Midnight Intake Captain: Court Lists and Punitive Segregation
41:03 Captain's Role: Intake Challenges
42:27 Becoming Captain: Test and Training
44:54 Probationary Periods and Petty Charges
47:27 Transfer to Queen's Courts Division
50:53 Desire to Go to GRVC and First Assignments
52:50 Low Pay and Struggles for New Officers
53:04 Pay Raises and Retention Issues
57:01 Officer Housing and Commute Struggles
58:04 Captain's Pay and Rank Structure
59:18 Role as a Captain: Intake Nightmare
01:00:26 Trouble Begins: First Erroneous Discharge Charges
01:02:32 West Facility Discharge and Order to Produce
01:04:06 Second Incident: Mark Gastino and Retaliation
01:06:39 Facing Charges and Defending Actions
01:09:20 Charges Dropped but Warnings Persist
01:10:08 The Threat of Overholding Inmates
01:11:11 Release Procedures and Returning Inmates
01:13:20 Inmate Relations and Targeting Officers
01:14:21 Impact of Cameras on Inmate Behavior
01:15:27 Corrupt Staff and Personal Shocks
01:16:29 Further Retaliation: Free Tour and Use of Force
01:17:58 Infection and Surgery: Gangrene Scare
01:18:20 Chief's Nephew Incident and Consequences
01:20:12 Transfer to GRVC and More Trouble
01:22:05 Arrogance and Further Charges
01:23:25 Union Support and Family Advice
01:24:33 Final Incident: CMC Max and Cameras
01:26:20 Charges for Looking Angry and Medical Separation
01:29:20 Getting the Pension and Unemployment Struggles
01:31:35 Meeting His Wife and Family Life
01:33:53 Career End and Teaching Dreams Blocked
01:36:30 Why Not Marry Another Officer?
01:38:41 Advice for Officers and Mental Health Crisis
01:41:26 Psych Exams: A Joke and Stigma
01:44:12 Final Thoughts: No Regrets and Hopes for Return
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

George "Joby" Walters grew up in Ohio, joined the Army, and developed a passion for mechanics and motorcycles before joining the Avengers Motorcycle Club in Alabama. After an injury pushed him away from the club, he eventually landed in Arizona, where he patched into the Hells Angels in the late 1990s and became close personal friends with the legendary Sonny Barger. Over the next decade, Joby found himself in the middle of violent conflicts with rival clubs including the Mongols and Vagos and was present at the infamous Harrah's Casino riot in Laughlin, Nevada, on April 27, 2002, when the Hells Angels and Mongols clashed in one of the most notorious biker confrontations in American history. In the aftermath, he went on the run to Mexico, eventually took a plea deal that sent him to prison, and ultimately made the decision to walk away from the Hells Angels after 10 years. Now, Joby is telling the complete story of what life inside one of the world's most notorious motorcycle clubs was really like — from brotherhood and loyalty to violence, prison, and what it took to finally leave it behind.
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Thank you to HUNGRYROOT, AG1 & CASH APP for sponsoring this episode:
Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "THE COMMISSARY UPGRADE" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN
_____________________________________________
AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin
_____________________________________________
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
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Connect with George "Joby" Walters:
https://www.jobywalters.com/
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
 https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Growing Up in Rural Ohio
01:29 Joining the Army
02:16 Young Joby's Personality
03:00 Joining the Military
04:03 Life in the Army
05:39 Quitting Drugs and Alcohol
06:48 Life After the Army
08:07 Heading to Alabama
09:20 Meeting the Avengers
10:51 Finding Brotherhood
11:36 Prospecting with the Avengers
12:53 The Prospecting Process
15:24 What It Meant to Be a Biker
16:40 A Story with the Pagans
20:59 Communication and Money
22:45 Clubhouses and Fights
23:47 Marking People Out
26:00 Rules and Politics
27:44 Law Enforcement
28:54 Leaving the Avengers
30:30 Joining the Circus
33:44 Working with Elephants
36:35 Running From Yourself
39:04 Leaving the Avengers
43:45 Life in Arizona
47:01 Getting Back into Bikes
51:10 Meeting the Hell's Angels
56:39 Becoming a Prospect
59:16 The Warning
01:01:36 Prospecting Differences
01:04:36 Getting Patched In
01:06:11 The Reality of the Patch
01:07:58 Wars and Conflicts
01:09:00 The Laughlin River Run
01:11:20 The Aftermath
01:13:28 The Root of the War
01:15:20 Arrest and Charges
01:18:00 Jay Dobyns Revealed
01:20:39 The Vagos Incident
01:22:40 Fleeing to Mexico
01:24:30 Life in Mexico
01:26:00 Returning and Getting Caught
01:28:45 Going to Prison
01:30:40 Finding God
01:32:36 Last Conversation with Sunny
01:33:40 The Club's Evolution
01:35:50 Federal Prison
01:37:20 Preaching in Prison
01:40:12 Removing the Tattoos
01:41:12 Would You Do It Again?
01:43:00 Riding with Sunny
01:48:24 Getting Out of Prison
01:51:45 Pee-Wee and George Christie
01:53:30 Life After the Club
01:58:20 Final Thoughts
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

Michael Dodge grew up in a dysfunctional household, moved around constantly, and eventually found himself caught up in the streets, gangs, and addiction. He turned his life around and became a parole officer specializing in gangs for the Indiana Department of Correction. But after becoming addicted to painkillers, his life unraveled again. Michael committed a crime involving a confidential informant, was arrested, and sentenced to five years in prison — inside the same Indiana prison system he had once worked for.
_____________________________________________
Thank you to AG1, HUNGRYROOT & CASH APP for sponsoring this episode:
AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin
_____________________________________________
Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "THE COMMISSARY UPGRADE" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN
_____________________________________________
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: 
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 Arrested on Conspiracy Charges
01:02 Growing Up in Atlanta
02:24 A Tough Childhood
04:43 Struggling to Fit In
06:14 Life in Florida and First Initiation
10:54 Return to Atlanta and Gang Life
13:30 Juvenile Trouble and Boys Home
15:41 Mother's Role and Self-Reflection
16:39 Teenage Years and Turning Point
22:18 Rededication and Family
25:35 Education and Career Start
28:49 Joining the Indiana DOC
31:56 Gang Members on Parole
34:20 Building Rapport with Parolees
36:29 Memorable Field Work Story
42:03 Challenges of the Job
44:40 Problems in the System
48:24 Inexperienced Officers
51:29 Judging Parolees by Their Files
53:20 A Case That Haunts Him
56:36 Power and Discretion
01:00:00 Supervising Sex Offenders
01:07:52 Reflections on Accountability
01:10:30 Drug Testing and Dodging
01:12:00 Needing Mental Health Support
01:13:34 Injury and Prescription Addiction
01:17:24 Suboxone and Family Awareness
01:19:18 The Downfall Begins
01:23:43 The Arrest and Run
01:27:00 Caught and Extradition
01:31:31 The Ride to Jail
01:33:41 Fired and Shunned
01:38:10 Facing Judge and Sentence
01:46:40 Jail and Prison Experience
01:48:40 Sentencing to DOC
01:50:30 Transfer to Oklahoma
01:56:35 Life at Lawton Facility
02:00:40 Adjusting to Prison Culture
02:04:50 Violence in Oklahoma Prisons
02:09:02 Learning from Within
02:14:50 Release and Probation
02:18:54 Life After Prison
02:20:19 Finding Love Again
02:23:23 Looking Forward
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

Lauren Marie Korn was adopted from Colombia and raised by a loving family in New Jersey. She had a good home and every opportunity to take a different path — but the people she surrounded herself with eventually pulled her into the drug world. What started with a relationship with a drug dealer grew into Lauren building a successful marijuana operation in California, mailing weed across the country and making serious money. But as the operation got bigger, so did the people she was dealing with. Eventually, Lauren found herself working with the Mexican cartel and smuggling drugs across the United States — until the federal government came crashing down on her operation. 
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 Connect with Lauren Korn:
https://www.instagram.com/_sa1ntlaurent?stkn=MXV0dXd1c3RobHpwMQ==
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Mailing boxes for the cartel
00:24 From weed to the cartel
00:51 Growing up adopted in New Jersey
01:27 Searching for biological family
01:56 A Catholic, service-oriented family
02:41 Young Lauren was a blast
03:36 Facing racism at Catholic school
05:14 Struggling to find footing
06:15 Losing a close friend to suicide
06:44 Starting to sell weed
07:37 Dating a man with a violent past
08:02 Shots fired at the apartment
09:31 Helping him go on the run
10:36 Life on the run together
11:51 Aftermath of the shooting
12:48 Keeping parents in the dark
13:20 Psychiatric meds and development
14:50 College plans derailed
15:37 Reconnecting in California
16:07 Mailing boxes across the country
17:19 First big weed sale
18:58 Building a legal cannabis business
20:03 Getting into the meth trade
21:55 Dealing with the cartel
24:00 Transporting 13,000 kilos of meth
25:25 Why no profit from meth deals
26:32 Abuse and losing a child
28:30 Why she stayed with her abuser
29:26 How the weed business worked
30:35 The secret to mailing weed
32:24 Becoming a legal operation
34:00 Hiding his criminal past
35:20 Peak earnings and spending
36:18 Supporting her abusive partner
37:00 Why she drove the transports
38:50 Meth runs to the border
42:12 Why he got in too deep
43:06 The deal that unraveled everything
45:43 DEA and ATF come knocking
46:26 Turning herself in
47:01 Mom's kidney transplant and going back
48:00 Attached to the abuser again
48:30 The arrest in New Jersey
50:41 Charged and indicted
51:41 Plea deal and 5-year sentence
53:10 Parents' reaction and support
54:53 How the Chicago bust unravelled
56:41 Everyone cooperated
59:07 Life in federal detention
01:02:50 Coming home and finding work
01:03:40 Meeting her daughter's father
01:05:06 Violating supervised release
01:06:34 Halfway house threats and leaving
01:08:18 On the run and getting pregnant
01:09:55 Choosing to give birth safely
01:11:17 Arrested at 5 AM
01:13:11 He never knew about the parole violation
01:14:06 How they found her
01:15:53 Life on the run in New York
01:16:31 Getting 6 months for the violation
01:17:54 Sexual assault in county jail
01:20:15 Mixing male and female inmates
01:21:34 Transgender inmates in women's prison
01:23:20 Fake or not? Transgender inmates
01:24:42 MDC Brooklyn and Tekashi
01:27:21 Who watched her kid while locked up
01:28:35 Codefendants got lighter sentences
01:29:07 Ex reaches out on Signal
01:29:57 Getting back with her daughter's father
01:31:55 Emotional abuse from partner
01:33:31 Family court battle
01:36:21 Starting a nonprofit
01:39:50 Advice to her younger self
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka