Episode 14

Oak Smith Pt 1 | My Job as a Prison Warden Wasn't to Punish

Published on: 9th October, 2025

Chad talks with Oak Smith, former warden of San Quentin State Prison, about his 27-year journey from believing his job was to punish inmates to realizing the prison itself is the punishment. Oak shares how working at maximum security prisons where he had to "check his humanity at the gate" nearly destroyed him, and how San Quentin changed everything. He discusses the data behind rehabilitation, why he only wrote two support letters in his entire career, and the moment hardened criminals broke down crying when they saw dogs for the first time in 20 years. Oak also talks about Bob Goff's Love Does program, the father-daughter dance that had never happened before, and why corrections has the highest suicide rate of any profession.

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About the Podcast

Caring For Strangers
Finding people we want to do work and life with
Chad Heiser, CEO of CEG brings thought leaders and inspiring guests together to have conversations about finding people to do work and life with.

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Electric Creative