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

[strawberrypickinginsummer]

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?

I have a close friend who was a Prison Officer for 3 years. Shit pay, in personal real and present danger for vast periods of every shift, being called to someone hanging themselves and having to wait until they have 2 more members of staff. Dealing with blood, vomit, wee and poo daily. He has ptsd from what he experienced, and by all accounts wasn’t even the worst!

From what he has told me, there’s very little actual help and support you can provide. You are basically there to make sure they are fed, not damaging each other too badly, and keep your colleagues from being too badly beaten up. I have a challenging job at times and I’d never be a prison officer from what he has told me.

Given none of you know my past experiences and character I don’t think you can make a judgement on my suitability and it is nonsense to decide you do.

You were asked basic questions to help people in the know answer your question. Rather than answer the polite question, you turned prickly and defensive. It is not a stretch to conclude you are not suitable to be a prison officer if you can't handle some basic questions.

@AmieeCraig

Given none of you know my past experiences and character I don’t think you can make a judgement on my suitability and it is nonsense to decide you do.

You were asked basic questions to help people in the know answer your question. Rather than answer the polite question, you turned prickly and defensive. It is not a stretch to conclude you are not suitable to be a prison officer if you can't handle some basic questions.

It's a massive stretch to conclude someone is not suitable for a role based on a few answers on Mumsnet!

I'm with the OP. They were asked why they were interested in such a post. The OP answered. Any further probing questions were unnecessary. She's not here to be interviewed.

'*OP - please tell me about a job
**
Posters - tell us exactly why you want it and why you think you’d be any good

OP - no thanks, just info about the job please*'

This is spades.

OP this is an old thread and you're probably long go (no wonder) but I was interested in such a role at one point too. I worked in a prison in an admin role and I met an older woman officer who joined at 50 and she loved it. Ultimately I decided the crap pay considering the risks wasn't worth it.

*in

Agree that treacles questions were relevant, the sort of thing you'd be expected to have thought about by the time you apply. I have a close friend been a PO for 30 years, I've heard all the stuff about how conditions have deteriorated generally. I've discussed his work extensively with him and concluded that key characteristics needed are a very calm presence, huge emotional resilience, and totally non judgemental attitude towards cons. POs get put on wings with little training, I think it's 6 weeks. I admire the work they do but I think it takes a certain sort of person.

Not sure if it would interest you but Probation Service are recruiting at the moment for their qualification programme. It would be full-time though.

I think the training is 12 weeks?

6 or 12 though, it's nothing in comparison to the TWO YEARS in Norway. And I think that difference kind of exemplifies what UKPOs are unable to provide, not because they're individually failing, but because the system is inherently set up to "just get by".

PM’d you op

PT is possible, but I've only known those who have gone from FT to PT and not specifically advertised as PT from the outset and usually due to specific niche roles, such as equality officer.

It's incredibly violent in most estates. Google prison urnest, riots, attacks etc. Not for the faint hearted. Depending on the category tends to demonstrate how it would be. For example, young offenders there's always lots of violence, prisoner to prisoners and to officers.

Sex offenders tend to be more compliant. Many would say more manipulative.

Just as examples.

I wouldn't personally advise it for a female, as sexist as that may seem...

I've recently passed my assessment for both a prison officer and an OSG. I have 3 children and my youngest is 7 months. I graduated with a Criminology degree last year and I've always wanted to work in the CJS. A lot of people I have spoke to said they love it,you have good days and bad days but if its something your really passionate about you'll make it work 💕

I have worked in the prison service, but not as a prison officer. All I can advise is try to get some experience in a prison before going down this route, look a voluntary roles. It is very good experience and eye opening about prison life.

From my experience the prison I worked in had a huge percentage of drop outs from trainee officers (something around 30% mark) and also high staff sickness rates. I would say this is largely down to people not realising the reality of the job until they were actually in it, combined with insufficient training and huge work loads. It's a fascinating career but do think carefully.

I'm a prison officer, Ive just started my training. It's not an easy job but if your passionate in helping others and can be empathetic and not judgemental then you will love it. I work full time and my youngest is 11 months, if you have support at home it's doable!

Old thread but wonder if op ever did join?

I was a prison officer for 18 months , this was 7 years ago though.
I have family members who have left the job or retired.
None of them had anything good to say about it once they left.

Oh really? I do get the impression it's a revolving door and staff don't stay long

Is it stress related? Safety?

From what I understand, the staff that have been in the job a long time are staying for their pension.
Lots of experienced staff took redundancy , meaning there was a lack of experience to teach the new people.