Mike Safo with Charles Gardener (Author of Dannemora)

Joined today by former Judge, Retired Lieutenant with the New York State Department of Corrections and author of the book “Dannemora”, Charles Gardener. We talk about the unique perspective he had writing this book, not only as a retired C.O. from Clinton but also as a resident  where the escape happened. We delve into the earlier crimes of David Sweat and Richard Matt and then Charles tells us the gruesome and heinous crimes that put Matt and Sweat behind bars for life. Lt. Gardner explains the thin line between prisoners and C.O.’s and how one little favor cost Officer Palmer his freedom and ruined a 27-year career. We talk extensively about Joyce “Tillie” Mitchell and how a schoolgirl crush on the inmates turned into a smuggling story for the ages with weapons being hidden in frozen meat. Lt. Gardner tells us not only about the convicts 3 weeks on the lam in the foothills of the Adirondacks, but also what the citizens were going through during this intense time. We hear his thoughts on the Showtime hit “Dannemora”, murderabelia, and what a typical day in Clinton Correctional is for an inmate. Charles lets us know what he thinks would have happened if Joyce showed up on that fateful evening, why some photo ops by the Governor contaminated the crime scene and what life is like now for the convicted escapee. All this and more as I get to talk about one of my favorite books of the year.

Follow Charles here: https://charlesagardner.com/