The Nature of the Beast

Being a correctional officer in a State-run prison isn't always considered a lucrative career option, especially for a 19-year-old, but it actually can be very fulfilling. Nature of the Beast is the autobiographical account of David G. Mills and his life-long career as a correctional officer.

David G. Mills worked for 40 years in corrections in two different states. His career as a correctional officer started in 1975 at 19. David served his first 36 years in Tennessee, working at two prisons as Associate Warden and seven prisons as Warden, with increased responsibilities with each assignment. I progressed up through my career beginning as a correctional officer through every level After retirement, David worked as Assistant Warden for the Arkansas Department of Corrections at two different prisons.

David's biggest accomplishment was being selected as Warden over Morgan County Regional Prison, Brushy Mountain State Prison, and oversight of a new prison built adjacent to the Morgan County Regional Prison as an expansion costing approx. $100,000,000 upon completion.

Once complete, David oversaw the closure of Brushy Mountain by moving all of the inmates and staff to the new prison. The Decommissioning of Brushy Mountain occurred afterward. The new population capacity of the Morgan County Correctional Complex was approx. 2,600 inmates.

Nature of the Beast recounts David's first-hand experience, the things he learned, the mistakes he made, and the people he came to trust and love over the years.