A Warden’s Path: From Tough to Smart on Crime

What if the man who ran the prison was the one fighting hardest to change it?

A Warden’s Path: From Tough to Smart on Crime is the unforgettable true story of Percy Pitzer-a boy from rural Wisconsin who became a Vietnam combat vet, a federal prison warden, and, eventually, a national voice for second chances.

In these pages, Percy doesn’t hold back. He writes with raw honesty about war, fatherhood, love, loss-and the slow, sometimes painful process of transformation. For years, he enforced the rules of a system built on punishment. But deep inside, something didn’t sit right. Over time, he began to see the men behind the crimes. He started asking questions no one else dared to ask. And what began as a career turned into a calling.

For decades, Percy oversaw prisons built on the ＂tough on crime＂ philosophy. But what he witnessed led him to a dramatic transformation. He began to challenge the system from within-advocating for smarter, more humane policies that reduce recidivism, support rehabilitation, and prepare people for reentry. Along the way, he helped pioneer second-chance hiring programs and co-founded a foundation that continues to impact lives today.

This isn’t just a memoir. It’s a reckoning. A rare glimpse into the heart of a man who broke ranks with tradition to stand up for redemption over retribution. Percy’s journey-from enforcing a broken system to challenging it-will shake you, humble you, and inspire you to believe that people can change, including those we least expect.

With moments of laughter, grit, and deep spiritual insight, A Warden’s Path is for anyone who believes in the dignity of every life-and the quiet courage it takes to fight for it.

Perfect for readers of:

• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
• The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton