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Chapter of career:
Trainee
First nights. First alarms. First time realizing that every door you close locks something inside you as well.
Sergeant
Culture, ethics, and legacy. The weight of decisions, the people who shaped you, and the officers you now shape in return.
Corporal
The step into responsibility: mentoring new officers, holding the line, and learning how to lead when the policy manual runs out.
The book
about the book
The book represents 30 years of working in a large metropolitan jail system. It is the direct result of her experience after an escape. There are over 250 life experiences Loretta converted into stories. She wanted to share those experiences with people those less familiar with jails and what goes on within them.
In this collection of short stories, Loretta Phillips offers a rare glimpse into life behind the walls of a correctional facility. Drawing from nearly three decades as a correctional officer, she recounts real events and day-to-day encounters with both officers and inmates. Each story captures the challenges, unpredictability, and humanity found within the jail setting, from routine interactions to unforgettable moments, including an escape that shook Loretta as well as the institution. Honest, thought provoking, and at times surprising, these stories reveal the complexities of a world most people never see.
“Leadership isn’t a stripe they sew on overnight. It’s every small choice you make when no one sees your name on the report.”
Loretta Phillips
The Author
about the author
Loretta Phillips is from Brooklyn, NY. She is 74 years old, and this is the first book she has ever attempted to write. The book was started in 2006 and finished in 2025.
Loretta Phillips dedicated five years to shaping young minds as a high school teacher before life circumstances led to a career shift. For nearly three decades, she served as a correctional officer, gaining a unique perspective on human behavior, resilience, and transformation. These experiences, both in the classroom and within the correctional system, deeply influenced her understanding of people, choices, and the power of change. Now turning to writing, Loretta draws on a lifetime of insight to share stories and reflections that inspire, inform, and connect with readers.
Themes & Insights
A Message from Loretta
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I wrote this book to show the real, human side of corrections—what officers live through, what they learn, and what most people never see.
Leadership in difficult places
Real leadership begins at the bottom. Loretta learns it one shift at a time—long before the rank catches up. The book shows how presence and consistency matter more than titles.
The human side of a uniform
Behind every badge is a human being managing fear, fatigue, and duty. The narrative keeps pulling the reader back to the person inside the uniform
Humor as survival
Humor is how officers breathe in a place that never sleeps. Termite Ho threads that humor carefully—not to mock, but to show resilience.
Integrity under pressure
The hardest choices happen when no one is watching. Loretta faces moments that test ethics, loyalty, and courage—and lets the reader see the cost of each path.
Compassion as strength
Over time, the author learns that toughness without empathy is brittle. The strongest officers are the ones who remain human, even when it would be easier to shut down.
Lessons beyond corrections
Although set inside a correctional system, the principles apply anywhere there is pressure and authority: leadership, empathy, and ethics are universal.
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