Inside “The Castle”: Duty, Danger, and the Human Cost of Corrections
An Interview with Phillip W. Parker, Author of Guard
What really happens behind the walls of a maximum-security prison?
In this powerful interview, Phillip W. Parker takes us inside “The Castle”—Kentucky State Penitentiary—where he served as a correctional officer for over two decades. His stories are real, raw, and unforgettable.
From mass escapes and hostage crises to the quiet, daily acts of leadership that keep chaos from tipping over, Parker’s experience is a window into a world most of us will never see. It’s not just about danger—it’s about duty, compassion, and the immense responsibility of managing society’s most volatile environment.
This conversation draws from his acclaimed memoir, Guard: A True Story of Duty, Sacrifice, and Leadership in Kentucky's Maximum Security Penitentiary—a book now being taught in college criminal justice courses alongside academic texts for its unmatched real-world insight.
“The hardest part isn’t the violence—it’s the silence afterward.”
Whether you’re here for true crime, memoir, or a deeper understanding of the U.S. corrections system, this interview delivers.
🔗 Watch the full video below
📘 Learn more about the book here
