Dave BashamThe author is qualified to write these books because of his life experiences of which working in the prison was one. Becoming a corrections officer was not a lifelong dream. It became his occupation when as an old guy, he needed a job and the state ws not allowed to discriminate due to age. He was able to relate to the inmates because he came from an abusive home as did many of the inmates. Being shy to the point of being unintentionally rude, he tackled that by becoming a standup comedian. He learned how to handle tough audiences of which supervising a collection of felons more than qualified. Through his life, his experiences taught him that many people he thought were decent really weren't. He learned that many people talk a big game but do nothing. He learned to be wary of everyone including officers. He grew up in a time where the baldies and greasers were gangs in his area. Where when running a restaurant one night, an ex-con pulled a gun on him. Because he was taking the man to court, a price was put on his head by that cons gang. He was shot at and attempts were made to run him over before the case wound up in court. He stood up to a gang in junior high school. Despite the beatings, he continued to defy them. No matter the odds, he always stood up for those weaker or afraid. He stood up against injustice. Don't ask for his opinion unless you really want it, because it's been said that he is painfully blunt. He tells it like it is. Through his managerial jobs he learned to empower people to think for themselves and make proper choices. He doesn't try to be different; he just is. He has to work at blending in with what is perceived to be normal. Read More Read Less