Gio Martini takes us deep inside the federal prison system, sharing raw stories from his time as a CO at USP Victorville and how his anonymous Instagram account ultimately cost him his career.
• Former Army infantry soldier who transitioned to corrections after being turned down by police departments
• Worked first in private ICE detention before joining the Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Explains the complex politics between different inmate groups, especially the notorious reputation of DC inmates
• Describes the importance of authentic communication with inmates rather than adopting fake personas
• Created "Good Verbal," an anonymous Instagram account sharing correctional humor that united officers nationwide
• Account grew into an unexpected mental health resource and community for corrections staff
• Federal administration, including Director Colette Peters, launched investigation and forced him out over the account
• Recently contacted by government attorneys asking him to testify for Bureau against inmate lawsuit
• Believes being true to yourself is the most important quality in corrections work
• Left the Bureau in February 2022 but maintains relationships with former colleagues
Find Gio on Instagram @Geo_the_Legend89
