In a candid and revealing conversation with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, former Tennessee Department of Correction Deputy Commissioner David G. Mills opens up about his remarkable 40-year career in corrections. Mills, who began as a 19-year-old correctional officer in 1975 and rose through the ranks to oversee multiple prisons as warden and eventually serve as Deputy Commissioner, shares the inspiration behind his memoir, The Nature of the Beast. The book offers an intimate, firsthand look at the complexities of American incarceration, blending personal stories, institutional evolution, and lessons in humanity.
Mills explains that the impetus for writing the book came late in his career. “I stopped [working]just a short eight years ago because I said there won’t be anybody to document these things and carry these things forward,” he recalls. Encouraged by multiple people to preserve his experiences, he began writing on weekends and nights, initially unsure of the process but driven by a sense of responsibility. “If we don’t write them down,” he says, “they’re gone.”
The memoir chronicles Mills’ journey through Tennessee’s prison system during periods of significant change—from the era of striped uniforms to policies allowing personal clothing (which created stark contrasts and eventual pushback), desegregation challenges, and the implementation of rehabilitative programs. He describes prisons as “small cities,” complete with food service for thousands of meals daily, religious services across denominations, and the constant balance of security and humanity.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its colorful characters and anecdotes. Mills recounts humorous yet poignant stories, such as an inmate nicknamed “Juicy,” who would appear in outrageous outfits to test boundaries, or a diminutive inmate who faced tragic consequences after being exposed as an informant. These tales highlight the delicate line correctional officers walk—building trust while protecting sources and maintaining safety.
Mills emphasizes fairness and rehabilitation over punishment. “I’m not there to punish them,” he states firmly. “Their incarceration is their punishment.” He implemented programs like organized softball teams, vocational training, GED classes, and church opportunities, often facing resistance from peers who viewed them as “coddling.” Yet he consulted staff beforehand and saw results: transformed lives, reduced recidivism, and grateful families. He shares success stories of former inmates now thriving—one as a long-haul truck driver who calls him “daddy,” another running a precut company while preaching on weekends.
The interview touches on the emotional toll of the job, including witnessing violence and murders, and the need to stay connected to faith to avoid the “dark side.” Mills also discusses educational tours he led for college students, high school groups (16+), and churches, where inmates serving life sentences shared their regrets and lessons. “This is an opportunity for you to learn anything you want,” he told participants, aiming to humanize those behind bars.
Mills hopes readers take away an understanding that change is possible—but it requires personal choice. “I can give him the opportunity to go to church again… get his GED… learn how to be an electrician,” he says, “but I can’t change him from the inside. He’s the one that has to want to change.”
The Nature of the Beast is available in print and e-book formats on Amazon and other major platforms. Early readers praise its raw honesty and insightful portrayal of prison life. As Mills notes, it’s not just a memoir—it’s a snapshot of hope, perseverance, and the ongoing quest to improve the system for inmates, staff, and society.
For those interested in the inner workings of corrections, stories of redemption, or leadership in challenging environments, this book delivers a compelling, eye-opening read. Check it out today and discover why Mills’ experiences deserve to be documented and shared.
