Episode Details
Back to Episodes
I Was a Guard Inside Georgia's Violent Prison System — I Can't Unsee What I Saw | Tyler Ryals
Description
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.
_____________________________________________
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.
_____________________________________________
Connect with Tyler Ryals:
https://linktr.ee/TylerRyalsX?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
_____________________________________________
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 I