Ransom, but why do people becom prison officers?

[Samcro]

Always wondered why? Don't know anyone who does it in rl to ask.

My friend went in after first being in the army, then being a paramedic,then a prison officer. All somewhat physical jobs, that need you to be able to think on your feet and actually achieve something most days. He was not a person who enjoyed over thinking,he wanted to make difference and get stuck in.

I have worked in prisons for 20 years. Like every job - some do it for the money- some do it as they see it as a progressive career - some do it after they have left the forces and want the same camaraderie- some do it as they want to make a difference. It’s a job like no other - every day is different - meeting people from all walks of life.days full of tears and days full of laughter.

@LegallyBlende

I know a few. Never asked them but can see the benefits: Permanent Pensionable Overtime available Know your rota well in advance Can retire after 30 years service (Ireland) Opportunities for progression Not too hard of work physically Doesn't require a 4 year degree like some jobs

Erm it is hard work physically .. can you imagine doing control and restraint on young buck prisoners in your 50s/60s

Two family members were in for whole careers - senior roles , decent salary and pension ,'interesting , people focused

There is a genuine issue with some working for decent money by illegal methods. In Scotland it’s crap money and you can easily top it up by smuggling stuff in and out. A friend’s parent has just been released after a 6 months (absolute idiot who made a dumb decision) and was shocked by the drug systems. Nightly overdoses, the blasé attitude to them and the blatantly obvious officers involved. It might not be similar in the rest of the UK but SPS is a wreck. Honestly, pay people in these roles adequately and there wouldn’t be these issues half as much. A tough job for little reward, no wonder they want to make money by other means.

A friend of mine does it. She does it because it’s three 12 hour shifts a week, she opts for nights so has her kids in the day 3 days a week till her partner gets home, she goes to work, comes home in the morning, sleeps for 6ish hours while her partner gets them up and a family member looks after them, then she has them for a few hours. The other four days she’s at home with her kids and loves it. No nursery fees, minimal childcare needed from family and she gets loads of time with her littles.

My voluntary work takes me into a prison. Most of the officers are very caring, and the people who are incarcerated have interesting and often tragic stories to tell.

I am sure there are rogues and people in it for the wrong reasons. But on the whole I'm very pleasantly surprised by those who work there

I would say for the Shifts and the hourly wage as my ex was considering it as they like people who can commit to 12 hour shifts back to back but he decided to become a traffic warden as they pay more a hour and yes I didn’t believe it at first but it’s true traffic wardens get paid more well at least at the beginning.

Still a awful job in my opinion.

thank you for the replies. makes more sense to me now.

I can see many parallels between characteristics of teachers and prison officers. I’ve considered it as an alternative to teaching.

I live within a couple of miles of a very famous, high security prison.

A few years ago they were advertising for staff and the training salary was £29k so really quite good. But the training is really intensive, required IIRC 10 weeks away training. I considered applying until I realised the time away needed, impossible with a young family at the time.

I think though, generally its decent money, decent pension and a secure job.