Tough but Fair
“Tough but Fair originated from my twenty-eight years of experience working with troubled juveniles and convicted felons. On December 1, 1972, I was appointed Deputy Warden of the North Dakota State Penitentiary. The prison was on the verge of being out of control daily…inadequately funded and staffed by untrained, aging correctional officers; uneducated managerial staff; and one qualified social worker. The combination of these factors led to assaults on staff, improper discipline, a rapid decline in the facility structure, and extreme disrepair of the utilities and services. A new warden was appointed, and he began to organize a plan to regain control of the inmate population, institute programs that would divert the inmates away from criminal behavior within the prison, and build respect for the staff. These challenges led me on a journey that was intellectually, physically, and spiritually transformative. It was the greatest challenge of my life.” - Winston E. Satran
Release Date: March 19, 2026
"Tough but Fair is a firsthand account of the challenges and rewards of managing a state correctional facility while navigating the nexus of personal bias, policy, and politics." —Dave Krabbenhoft, Director of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (retired).
"Winston wasn’t just the warden of the prison. He was a mentor, a leader, and a man of deep compassion and vision. You could see it in the way the inmates respected him. They didn’t just follow his direction; they trusted him, admired him, and were inspired by him. Winston believed in the power of redemption, and through the rodeo, he gave these men a chance to show their strength, skill, and humanity." —Chad Berger, Chad Berger Bucking Bulls Company, twelve-time Stock Contractor of the Year
"[Winston Satran] wanted the residents to understand that his main concern was their future, not their past." —H. Patrick Weir, Billings County, ND, State’s Attorney, former District Court Judge and Chairman of the North Dakota Parole Board
Trade Paperback
332 pp
21 images, black & white
ISBN: 978-1-946163-83-7
Cover design by Carly Jordahl
Interior design by Deb Tanner
