#728 Jun 12, 25

I.G.N.I.T.E with Sheriff Chris Swanson

Sheriff Chris Swanson runs Michigan’s 5th-largest sheriff’s office and, since 2020, he’s been flipping the playbook on incarceration with I.G.N.I.T.E.– “Inmate Growth Naturally & Intentionally Through Education.” The program delivers daily math, reading, and job-skills classes inside the Genesee County Jail and now in dozens of other facilities nationwide. Independent research from Harvard, Brown and the University of Michigan links I.G.N.I.T.E. to sharper literacy, fewer disciplinary incidents and double-digit drops in recidivism.

Tune in as we discuss how I.G.N.I.T.E. readies inmates for life beyond bars, the impact of police-community collaboration, and showcase what effective-law enforcement leadership looks like.

Criminal Justice Evolution
Episode 728
June 12, 2025

A special thanks to YOU. The criminal justice / first responder professional. Thank you for what you do every day for our communities. Remember you are honored, cherished, and loved. Keep up the good work and please be safe.

I struggled. I was in a dark place for a long time. I was in pain, and I masked it with alcohol. I was contemplating hurting myself. I finally decided to reach out and ask for help, and I am grateful I did. FHE Health and The Shatterproof Program saved my life. If you are struggling, you don’t have to stay there. We can and will help you.

Visit the site or call 303.960.9819.

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Patrick Fitzgibbons

Patrick Fitzgibbons is a retired Police Commander and former Army Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He is now a Program Lead for FHE Health in their Shatterproof Program for First Responders located in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He is passionate about helping first responders who are struggling, and he also sought treatment for his struggles. He holds advanced degrees in organizational leadership and business, and is currently studying to become a licensed mental health clinician in the State of Florida. Patrick also speaks to first responder organizations about health and wellness for personnel.

Guest

Chris Swanson

Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson is a 30-year law-enforcement veteran and two-term Sheriff of Genesee County, MI—the state’s fifth-largest sheriff’s office. Holder of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, Swanson has led units in corrections, narcotics, investigations, human-trafficking (founding the G.H.O.S.T. task force), and command operations. In 2020 he launched I.G.N.I.T.E., a jail-based education program now replicated in facilities nationwide and validated by Harvard and Brown researchers for cutting misconduct and recidivism. Swanson gained global attention in May 2020 for marching with Flint protesters during the George Floyd demonstrations, and in February 2025 he announced his candidacy for Governor of Michigan.