Wayne K. Patterson served more than 30 years in the Colorado Correctional System. He was warden of both of the original penal institutions in the state at Buena Vista and Canon City. He was Executive Director of the first Department of Parole in Colorado, was later Chairman of the Parole Board and Director of Corrections for the City and County of Denver. Patterson held national offices in professional associations and was a past president of the American Correctional Association, the American Association of Wardens and Superintendents and of the West Central Wardens' Association. Patterson began his career in law enforcement with the Colorado State Patrol, was selected to be both driver and body guard for Colorado governors, Ralph Carr and John Vivian, and served in the Navy from 1944-1946.
Betty L. Alt is author or co-author of fourteen books, including Uncle Sam's Brides; Campfollowing; Weeping Violins: The Gypsy Tragedy in Europe; Black Soldiers/White Wars; Keeper of the Keys: A Warden's Notebook; Wicked Women; Fleecing Grandma & Grandpa; Policewomen: Life With the Badge; The Proteus Agenda; Following the Flag; Mountain Mafia: Organized Crime in the Rockies; Mountain Murders: Homicide in the Rockies; When Caregivers Kill. She has a B.A. in sociology from Colorado College, an M.A. in history from Northeast Missouri State University, and currently is an instructor in sociology at Colorado State University - Pueblo in Pueblo, Colorado.