About Correctional Edge
Practical perspectives on the realities of working in corrections.
Understand the work behind the job title
Correctional Edge helps people considering prison work, officers finding their footing, employees weighing promotion and families seeking context. The focus is explanation: what a situation can mean, what people may misunderstand and what questions are worth asking.
About Travis Sanders
I’m a corrections captain, Army veteran, husband, and father of six. I’ve worked in corrections since 2008, starting at a county jail after leaving the Army and joining the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 2010. Before corrections, I served five years in the Army, including two years in combat in Iraq.
Corrections wasn’t a career I had planned. It was an opportunity that came along. I stayed because it offered stability and good benefits. The pay wasn’t great at first, but it improved over the years. I pursued leadership to build a better life for my family and support the officers working beside me.
My approach to leadership is straightforward: rank doesn’t make someone more deserving of respect or better treatment. I’m a down-to-earth person, and I often tell my officers, “You don’t work for me—I work for you.” To me, leadership means helping people succeed, setting clear expectations, and being there when they need support.
I created Correctional Edge because I remember starting this career with questions I couldn’t find answers to. I had to figure so much out myself, and it was tough. I want to give others practical explanations and guidance about what working in corrections is really like—from the first day to the responsibilities that come with promotion.
I don’t have every answer. I’m sharing what I’ve learned through experience, including mistakes, challenges, and the people I’ve worked with along the way.
Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family, taking on DIY projects, and playing video games when time permits.
Independent perspective
Correctional Edge is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) or any other correctional agency. Travis Sanders shares his personal experience and views, not official agency guidance. Current agency policy, post orders and approved training take precedence.
Our editorial approach
We discuss professional boundaries, communication, credibility, responsibility and life outside work. We do not offer certification or claim to replace agency instruction. We avoid treating all inmates as manipulative or presenting impressions as proof. General commentary, sourced facts and fictional examples are identified separately.
Articles under the Correctional Edge editorial label are not transcripts of the founder’s experiences. Personal stories will be attributed only when supplied and approved. The 19 core articles have been reviewed and approved by Travis Sanders. Interview practice guidance is labeled separately from founder-approved responses.