In this powerful episode, Sheriff Garry McFadden sits down with a Mecklenburg County resident currently incarcerated who opens up about his first experience behind bars and the emotional toll of being separated from his mother and children for more than three years. Through participation in MCSO’s mental health programs, he’s learned to recognize and manage his struggles with anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
Sheriff McFadden reflects on the conversation and stresses the critical need to address mental health, both inside detention centers and throughout the community, following the death of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail in August.
In this week’s episode of "Podcast From The Pods," Sheriff McFadden discussed the pressing issue of many residents being released with no soft landing or handoff to the community. With many individuals spending years in the system, reintegrating them into society can be a significant challenge. He explores the role of the Sheriff's Office, addressing questions like: What steps are taken to help people transition back into the community? What efforts are currently in progress to tackle this issue? And what more MCSO can do? Often, the absence of family, friends, and resources complicates the process.
In the episode, Sheriff Garry McFadden remembers a Mecklenburg County Detention Center resident not just as someone who was booked into the facility, but as a friend and a man who devoted much of his life to helping others. The sheriff recalls how this individual consistently gave food and support to the homeless and lived in a way that honored their friendship and the work they did together. Sheriff McFadden expresses disappointment that local media often overlook the positive impact individuals like him, who was once homeless and experienced hardships, have on their communities, choosing instead to focus only when tragedy occurs, such as reporting on deaths inside the jail. He wants the public to know that behind every headline is a human being with a story worth telling.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office celebrated National Hot Dog Day on July 17 at First Ward Park in Charlotte by giving out hundreds of hot dogs and soda to community members. The event brought together families, staff, and Escape campers for a day of fun and connection. Campers engaged in sports, splashed in water activities, and enjoyed music from a live DJ, all while building positive relationships with law enforcement and the community.
In the episode, Sheriff McFadden sits down with Sgt. Sparkles Farrar-Gordon who talks about the ESCAPE camp and her passion behind it. She and the Sheriff explain the camps importance and its role in reducing recidivism at the Detention Center. The Sheriff also speaks with a young camper who's attended the camp year after year. We get a chance to hear what he likes most about the camp, which no doubt is the cuisine, the activities and the friendships he's made.
In this episode of "Podcast From The Pods", SheriffMcFadden introduces his new co-host, Arkevious Armstrong - a man with a past, a purpose, and a passion for transformation. With heart and humor, the Sheriff and Armstrong dive into their shared mission of inspiring young men in the detention center to recognize their worth, explore their passions, and grow into well-rounded individuals.
Armstrong, once familiar with the justice system himself, now returns not as a resident, but as a mentor - bringing energy, wisdom, and a deep commitment to change. Their chemistry is real, their laughter is contagious, and their vision is clear: to uplift the next generation from the inside out.
In this episode, learn about Nakiesha Barnette, a resilient and inspiring young woman whose life has been deeply shaped by tragedy, justice, and healing. In the 1990s, her mother went missing, an event that left Nakiesha with heartbreak and unanswered questions. It was Sheriff Garry McFadden, then a homicide detective, who notonly found her mother’s body but also solved the case, arresting the man who had raped and strangled her. That act of justice created an unbreakable bond between Nakiesha and Sheriff McFadden, who stepped into a fatherly role during one of the most painful chapters of her life.
Now a mother of three boys, one who found himself involved in the justice system, and thriving in multiple careers, Nakiesha opens up about her journey, how she transformed pain into purpose and how she’s raising her sons with strength and love. She reflects on the importance ofclosure, and how knowing the truth about her mother’s fate gave her the ability to move forward. With Sheriff McFadden still by her side as a mentor and protector, Nakiesha’s story is one of survival, strength, and the power ofhuman connection in the face of loss.
In the video, Sheriff McFadden sits down with John Bunn who was just 14 years old when he was wrongfully arrested and convicted for a crime he didn’t commit - a 1991 Brooklyn murder of a corrections officer. Despite having no physical evidence tying him to the scene, John wassentenced to life, spending 17 years behind bars before finally being released and later exonerated.
Growing up behind bars, John had to fight not only to prove his innocence but also to hold on to his humanity. He taught himself how to read in prison, surrounded by adults and violence, determined to one day clear his name and reclaim his life.
Now fully exonerated, John has turned his pain into purpose. He’s become a powerful voice for criminal justice reform, using his story to uplift, educate, and protect the next generation. Through his nonprofit work and youth programs,he’s on a mission to help young people make positive choices, avoid the traps he fell into, and bring light to the flaws in a system that stole his youth.
In a heartfelt and revealing conversation on "Podcast From The Pods", Host Sheriff Garry McFadden sits down with Alura Dannin, host of "The Alluring Hour Podcast", opens up about his deep love for people and unwavering commitment to the Mecklenburg County community. Far beyond the badge, Sheriff McFadden is a man driven by compassion, connection,and a belief in second chances.
With a unique approach to incarceration, Sheriff McFadden refers to those in his care as residents - a deliberate choice reflecting his philosophy of respect andrehabilitation. Inside the detention center, he has pioneered a range of programs aimed at reducing recidivism, offering education, mental health support, vocational training, and personal development opportunities. His goal is not just to detain but to restore, ensuring that those who leave thefacility are better equipped for life beyond its walls.
Alura Dannin dives into complex topics, from community crime concerns to media portrayals. She doesn’t shy away from asking about the criticism Sheriff McFadden has faced, including claims that he’s soft on crime. The Sheriff responds with clarity and conviction, asserting that being tough doesn’t mean being heartless. His methods may differ from traditional enforcement, but they are rooted in accountability and long-term safety. His strength lies not inpunishment, but in prevention, and his bold leadership challenges the status quo.
Sheriff McFadden’s story is one of integrity, innovation, and immense heart. His dedication to helping others is not just part of the job - it’s his calling.
In a heartfelt conversation, Sheriff McFadden and guest Malik Abdullah reflect on Abdullah's journey after being in and out of the prison system for 39 years. Abdullah shares how the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office helped him in a way no other correctional facility ever had. At MCSO, he felt truly seen - as a person, not just another resident in a pod. He participated in several programs, including drug recovery, which gave him the tools to look inward, find his identity, and begin healing. Their discussion raises a deeper question: Does society genuinely care about individuals once they’re released? Too often, support is limited or nonexistent, leaving many to face barriers alone. But Abdullah’s story shows what’s possible when an agency chooses to invest in dignity and rehabilitation.
In this episode, Sheriff McFadden recounts the moments surrounding a recent bomb threat at the Mecklenburg County detention center. The Sheriff talks about the process of containing the threat until an "all clear" can be made. He opens up about the emotional toll these situations take on staff who can't leave the building and families of residents who are left in the dark, hearing only fragments of information through the news.
May is Mental Health month. In this episode, Sheriff McFadden shares stories involving correctional officers and deputies facing unique challenges that can significantly impact their mental health, including high-stress environments, exposure to traumatic events and the demands of maintaining safety and order. MCSO has implemented the RISE program for individuals deemed incapable to proceed in the legal process. The Sheriff talks further on that and how much it has expanded to surrounding counties.
In this episode, Sheriff McFadden sits down with a courageous mother to share the emotional story of her son’s time at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. With raw honesty, they explore the pain of separation, the silence between phone calls, and the resilience required to hold on to hope. She opens up about her son’s remarkable full-circle transformation - from incarceration to inspiration - and the vital role Sheriff McFadden and his agency played in helping them both navigate the storm. Her son is now thriving, andshe credits the center’s life-changing programs for helping him find not just a second chance, but a new purpose.
In this episode, Sheriff McFadden gets released from Pod 4100 for a day to correct the widespread chatter that he has the authority to easily release residents from the detention center. While still under the concept of Podcast From The Pods, the Sheriff reports from the MCSO studio to talk about NCGS 162.62, House Bill 10, and other legislation that he has followed and will continue to follow when it comes to immigration and detainers.
In this episode, Sheriff McFadden talks about his experience taking phone calls from mothers who are in need of help and support for their sons who were once incarcerated at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. He talks about how he helps them and why it's important to provide residents, commonly referred to as inmates, second chances to succeed in life.
In this episode, Sheriff Garry McFadden explores the daily population inside the Detention Center. That number fluctuates and ranges anywhere from 1300-1400 a day. The Sheriff breaks down how many residents are inside along with their demographics, age and gender.
In this episode, Sheriff McFadden breaks down what his new podcast, "Podcast From The Pods" is all about. Consider this an introduction to what listeners can expect to hear, learn and understand when it comes to the complexities of the criminal justice system and how the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office Detention Center operates on a day-to-day basis.