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Original poster

Is anyone a prison officer? Can you tell me about it?

119 replies

strawberrypickinginsummer · 14/02/2021 17:32

I’m considering this as my job vanished in covid and opportunities are so limited.

I am really drawn to it. Are there many opportunities for part time? Have a very young baby. Do they offer a reasonable maternity package?

OP posts:
lachy · 14/02/2021 17:49

DH is. Feel free to PM me with any questions and I'll ask him for you.

Original poster
strawberrypickinginsummer · 14/02/2021 17:51

Thank you!

OP posts:
TreacleHart · 14/02/2021 17:55

I am not aware of any part time jobs. You also have to be able to do shifts , weekends , bank holidays , Christmas etc . There is a fair bit of training which might not be in your area . You have to pass a fitness test . This is ongoing yearly .
Can I ask what makes you want to join the prison service ?

Original poster
strawberrypickinginsummer · 14/02/2021 18:00

It loosely ties in to what I used to do and to some voluntary work.

No one works part time in the prison service?

OP posts:
noideabutstilltrying · 14/02/2021 18:03

My mum was for 20 years.

Was better when she first started. Like everything else was underfunded and short staffed when she was medically retired after a serious assault whilst on duty

TreacleHart · 14/02/2021 18:06

There are so many positions within the prison service , not just officers.
Many ' civilians ' are employed in prison. You also have many grades of prison officer. For example an OSG is a uniformed officer but does not work on the wings and does not have face to face prisoner access . A non uniformed civilian could have prisoner contact , for example a teacher or a drug worker ext .
What do you envisage you would be doing as a prison officer ?

OddBoots · 14/02/2021 18:09

Would the probation service also suit your aims? Quite a few people there in various roles work part time and it is a growing service at the moment as there is a re-unification between the National Probation Service and the Community Rehabilitation Company.

Original poster
strawberrypickinginsummer · 14/02/2021 18:12

treacle blimey it’s not a job interview Smile

I imagine being personal officer to prisoners, ensuring their well-being, maintaining order, counting numbers, keeping things safe.

Yes odd it would Smile

OP posts:
DavidsSchitt · 14/02/2021 18:15

"an OSG is a uniformed officer but does not work on the wings and does not have face to face prisoner access"

Except on nights, and whilst escorting work parties round, and on visits....increasingly so tbh.

OP - it'll be your safety you need to worry about not the cons. Not a job you want with babies at home, honestly.

TreacleHart · 14/02/2021 18:27

I'll bow out then , was just trying to be helpful.

DavidsSchitt · 14/02/2021 18:32

And you should maybe work on that touchiness OP if those questions felt invasive Grin

Gotheeunicorns · 14/02/2021 18:36

I'm a civvie in a prison and love my job. I started as PT and am now FT (8-4). It is a bit crap ATM because of Covid so we are unable to get much face to face contact. I work in a Cat C men's prison and have never feared for my safety. I did when I worked in a YO though. My job is crap money though.

whatwedontknow · 14/02/2021 18:42

@strawberrypickinginsummer

treacle blimey it’s not a job interview Smile

I imagine being personal officer to prisoners, ensuring their well-being, maintaining order, counting numbers, keeping things safe.

Yes odd it would Smile

Used to be like this about 30 years ago, great pay then too. I would hate it now. Pay and conditions are much worse for prison staff.
QuizzlyBears · 14/02/2021 18:54

You need to really think about your reasons for wanting to do it - the pay isn’t great and the work is hard, you aren’t going to be able to save the world however much you might want to make a change and so your motivation really needs to be in the right place before you start. You need to be flexible, assertive, a strong team player, calm in a crisis, emotionally intelligent and entirely, completely non judgemental. You will see the very best and worst of society in a role like this one!

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 14/02/2021 18:59

A friend did it long enough to get her masters sponsored by DoJ. Hated it. Now moved into a training role in prison service to get off the wings. She went into it thinking she might be able to help people but I think it ended up being crowd control.

AlohaMolly · 14/02/2021 19:05

@QuizzlyBears

You need to really think about your reasons for wanting to do it - the pay isn’t great and the work is hard, you aren’t going to be able to save the world however much you might want to make a change and so your motivation really needs to be in the right place before you start. You need to be flexible, assertive, a strong team player, calm in a crisis, emotionally intelligent and entirely, completely non judgemental. You will see the very best and worst of society in a role like this one!
Genuine question @QuizzlyBears, what would you say were good reasons to work in it?
Original poster
strawberrypickinginsummer · 14/02/2021 19:26

Treacle I wasn’t trying to be rude to you but I did feel a little put on the spot and as if I had to justify myself, which isn’t really why I posted. I do tend to find that any job you ask about on mn gets negative responses anyway.

OP posts:
DavidsSchitt · 14/02/2021 19:33

Treacles questions were relevant. If you want to go in and change lives it won't happen

Original poster
strawberrypickinginsummer · 14/02/2021 19:38

Actually they weren’t relevant david

They were relevant if this was a job interview and treacle was assessing my suitability but - it’s not and she isn’t.

OP posts:
DavidsSchitt · 14/02/2021 19:40

Ok then. Good luck with it all.

You seem to know what it takes already.

Bubbles1st · 14/02/2021 19:48

Completely depends on where you live and which prison you work at.

Male/ female
high security / open
Prison service / private

It is not a one size fits all.

You need to be physically fit for entry tests If going in as an officer

So many variants. Depends what you want from the job and life style. Potentially 14 hours shifts on Christmas, unexpected lockdowns and no finish time in sight.

Any specific questions happy to answer them from my experience from male and female prisons, both hmp and private civilian post and operational

Original poster
strawberrypickinginsummer · 14/02/2021 19:49

Thank you bubbles

david let’s not turn it into a fight. Please be fair. I asked for information, not for my motives and reasons to be judged and assessed.

OP posts:
JoanneCofton · 14/02/2021 19:49

I think you’re a bit too sensitive to be a prison officer OP, PP was just asking a genuine question.

My friend was a prison officer and has just left to join the police. She is a single parent to 2 kids, including one who’s under 5. She did a lot of shifts, including 7 nights in a row,7 off. Christmas etc. She saw some horrific things and got out as soon as she could

ChonkyChook · 14/02/2021 19:52

@strawberrypickinginsummer

Thank you bubbles

david let’s not turn it into a fight. Please be fair. I asked for information, not for my motives and reasons to be judged and assessed.

They'd eat you alive OP.
KittyFilter · 14/02/2021 19:53

How is what Bubbles asked any different to what Treacles asked?

How can anyone answer your question if you don't specify exactly what role you'd like to do - there are many you could choose from.