Two FSC Criminal Justice Faculty Members on Locked In with Ian Bick

Farmingdale State College Center for Criminal Justice Studies is home to many accomplished faculty members who have achieved major milestones throughout their careers outside the classroom. These professors include ex-law enforcement officers, former correctional officers, and even wildlife crime specialists who draw on their experiences throughout the semesters, bringing real-world knowledge and realistic insight into classroom discussions to further improve students' education. Within the past year, two distinguished professors from The Center for Criminal Justice Studies had the opportunity to share that information on a much larger scale.

Ian Bick, a popular podcaster who has gained media attention in recent years after successfully starting a podcast, “Locked In with Ian Bick”, during which he discusses his own experiences as a former inmate within the federal prison system, as well as interviewing guests from a vast range of backgrounds to draw in his audience. Most recently, Dr. Monique Sosnowski went on the show to spread awareness about the illegal wildlife trade. Within the interview, Dr. Sosnowski discusses her journey of becoming a wildlife crime and security specialist. She recounts stories showing the brutal reality of the illegal wildlife trade and shining a light on the large amount of smuggling that occurs here in the U.S., from instances where an individual was cloning Marco Polo Argali sheep and constructing a system to sell them as prized hunting trophies, to the transport and sale of live primates, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and tiger bone wine. She explains that the legal consequences of these crimes are extremely low penalties, which result in high numbers of traffickers and poachers harming all types of wildlife for profit. These consumer behaviors are actively funding the 23 billion dollar industry that simultaneously harms wildlife and results in unsustainable practices. 

Prior to Dr. Sosnowski’s interview for the “Locked In” podcast, Dr. Brian Kelly joined Ian Bick on his show for two separate episodes. In these interviews. He provided firsthand accounts of real situations he has been in as a former correctional officer, ex police officer, and his current role as a private investigator. He shares his journey of struggling in college to landing a job as a correctional officer, where he exposes the corruption he saw on a daily basis. By reflecting on his experiences, Dr. Kelly provides real insight into the reality of working throughout the criminal justice system. He shares stories of inmates suddenly attacking him and other officers, as well as the political pressure surrounding the prison. He states that the corruption ran deep, explaining how favoritism, internal politics, and personal connections can affect promotions and workplace dynamics. As the interview continues, he states that he has come to value those early experiences of corruption and violence, as they taught him valuable lessons about integrity, accountability, and remaining committed to ethical decision-making.  By sharing both the successes and challenges faced throughout his career, Dr. Kelly provided viewers a realistic understanding of the criminal justice field and the professionalism required to navigate it. 

Appearances like these truly show the passion and knowledge behind these dedicated faculty members and highlight the depth of education students receive here at Farmingdale State College. By sharing these experiences both inside and outside the classroom, educators are reinforcing the real-world perspectives they bring to students each day.