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

I looked at doing some voluntary work in women’s prisons teaching them to sew with the “Fine Cell Work” charity. One of the prisons in question was Bronzefield. Would i be mad to consider this? Does that make me a “do gooder”?

They have a bad rep amongst officers, but I have never worked in once.

I have never worked in a women's prison - but had friends that done PP (overtime) at Bronzefield during COVID.

Very little violence, but lots of self harm.

Thanks for this thread OP - really interesting.
Do you have a view about sentencing for the most serious crimes? I often am shocked at what seems very lenient terms of imprisonment for rape and other sex crimes, even serial sex crimes, and murder. Even life sentences seem to be short, and then there is serving only half the term. What are your thoughts on prison sentences for the worst crimes?

I would agree - and our "whole life order" terms need looking at.

My daughters a mental health nurse and considering applying for a job in a prison which terrifies me, do you know if the medical staff are ever assaulted, is there prison officers present when they are treating prisoners at all times or would it be her and the prisoner alone? Are they less at risk than the prison officers?

They are assaulted.

They are far less likely to be assaulted than officers.

They could be alone with a prisoner, but an officer would be right outside the door.

Is it actually impossible to protect high profile prisoners like Ian Huntley or do the officers just turn a blind eye and allow them to be attacked?

They are pretty well protected to be fair, will be on enhanced or VP units.

Have you ever met a prisoner who has done awful things but is charming and comes across as a really nice person? Like you would never know if you met them in another situation?

How was your mental health when working there? My mum was a nurse for a time at a women’s prison and I really think it changed her whole personality, she swore (a lot, and we were kids so really noticed) and drank, a lot. Looking back now it must have been her coping mechanism but I really think it affected her mentally. She believed many of them were in there as a product of really awful lives themselves so felt sorry for a lot of them. Some of them she absolutely did not feel sorry for.

Not sure about charming - but plenty who were funny and likeable on the surface.

It was fine - but plenty of my colleagues were not.

I think it is not a job for everybody.

How much drugs were there? I know it’s impossible to stop them getting in.

What had they done/did they do? Do some of them just look like pure evil immediately?

Loads, and I mean loads.

He was a little white nerd, not what you would imagine the most evil prisoner I have ever encountered to look like.

So how do the drugs get in then? Other than being smuggled in by visitors?

Staff, visitors, drones.

Prisoners are street smart, during COVID with no visits they were getting letters sent in that had been soaked in spice.

Staff. Christ.

Staff doesn't mean just officers.

Do the prisoners have education opportunities, what do they do all day?

They do have education, as well as workshops, jobs, gym, healthcare, assocation.

Was there many armed robbers in your prison? I’ve had 3 family members and a close family friend in category A prison for armed robbery. Two never rehabilitated (one took his own life and the other was shot in a gangland hit). The other two did rehabilitate and never went back. Do you think that armed robbery is a crime that is slightly easier to rehabilitate than murder or sex crimes?

Do you mean the crimes he committed outside, or the way he acted in prison?