AMA worked in CAT A prison

[coulditbeme2323]

I have seen a few AMA prison posts, but never by an operational member of staff.

I have worked both a CAT A and YOI - so have seen the worst of the worst.

AMA

How long does it take to get into the cat A when you arrive at work, with all the security procedures?

How did you find the culture amongst staff behind the gate?

Not long, 5 mins

At the start brilliant, at the end not so much.

And I have left, so don't care talking about prisoners!

I work in an adjacent field and used to work for probation, it was the thing that always put me off working that side of the fence. I've had to lead some conduct investigations on behalf of prison colleagues in my time and some of the things I saw and heard from staff were shocking. It's a shame because it pushes good people out

Good people are leaving, plus the job is so unfairly represented now.

Did you ever feel unsafe on the job? Were you in any dangerous situations?

I did.

90% of the time the male officers are on the end of the prisoners violence, but yes at times I did feel unsafe.

Do you think the punishment is sufficient for the crime or are they living in luxury? Do you get to know the inmates as people or are they just a number?

I have only worked in Cat A's and YOI's that house the worst of the worst, and they are defo not living in luxury.

There are a lot of do gooder agencies that poke their noses in though.

Do you think that these type of prisoners can ever be rehabilitated?

No, nor do I think it's worth the risk trying.

Have you dealt with any notorious criminals?

Quite a few, I suppose at least 5-10 what you would consider "household names."

Can you say who any of them were? If you can who were the worst behaved?

Levi Belfield
Michael Adebowale
Abu Hamza
Jessie and Albert (PC Evans Killers)
Aaron Issacs (Jodie Chesney Killer)

I heard something on a podcast recently about gang members without a criminal record applying for jobs in the prison service. Do you think that could be true?

Wouldn't shock me

what are your thoughts on the death penalty?

Is it true that Frankland is basically run by Islamic terrorists and there is much pressure for inmates to convert to Islam?

On the whole I am against it, but I can see why on clear cut cases many are for it.

I can't comment on Frankland, but Islam is the biggest religion in London jails- and there is a lot of bullying that goes on.

So it wouldn't shock me.

Should officers be armed on CAT A prisons? firearms of tazers in your opinion.

Firearms no, tazers might not be a bad idea.