Does anyone else feel sorry for Prison Officers?

[girlfriend44]

Honestly what a horrible job, could you do it? Imagine having to deal with all these child murderers etc on a daily basis and probably call them by their first names etc?

Working with the dregs of society day in. day out, I couldnt, hats off to them. How do you keep it together knowing that they have starved, beaten, and abused a child etc?

I could not deal with murdering scumbags and people who kill and abuse children.

For example
Star Hobson
Logan Mwangi
Baby P
Arthur.

Imagine having to deal with them on a daily basis. Thanks to those that do.

Ah @WindChimeBreeze that culture is so true especially living in quarters which would have been compulsory for most families in the 70’s. The club was usually on site or a short walk away and most wives were at home looking after the children. There were men who were known as overtime bandits who would do detached duty and extra hours as much as they could which also gave them cover for cheating.

I suppose in those days the alcohol wasn’t recognised as self medicating more of a huge boys club where there was plenty beer money. In the early 80’s staff were able to live off site and were given a mortgage allowance which many people did and I think that created a wider spread, not so close nit. But yes, affairs were rife and I imagine DV would have been hidden or hushed up.

You have shown a different perspective on it.

Not all people in prison are ‘the dregs of society’ OP. Yes there are some evil people in there, but there are also many people in prison who really should be in rehab facilities and receiving mental health care. Many are trapped in cycles of abuse that began when they were in the womb.

@girlfriend44 It’s not easy dealing with evil people but you have to keep professional. It’s not just prison officers though. Imagine being a nurse or Dr having to treat these people to make them well or save their life.

But yes there are some things you can not forget or unsee, even forty + years later.

I used to work in a prison and the officers were very much "superior" and had a definite chip on their shoulder. They were always alright with me but there was a definite type of person and culture that came with the job. They were all cheating on their partners with other staff on the inside. Every single one of them. It was ridiculous. It is a different world inside the prison and that's how they justified it. Long hours and shitty pay but I don't feel sorry for them they chose that job.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. It's so good to hear from someone who's seen all that, even from your own different perspective. No real separation between work and home, probably exacerbated or perhaps heightened some of the stresses.

Im glad you're seeing a better side to life, because it is tough work and you deserve a great life "on the outside ".

I work in a B Cat prison but as a civillian ( i.e non uniformed ) in education . I have a class of around 15- 20 and have sole responsibility of them whilst in the classroom with an education officer patrolling the department.
I feel ok with my personal safety , and have worked there 10+ years . Yes you are dealing with potentially violent people , even murderers , and yes I have been in a classroom with sex offenders .
When working in a non prison environment I can almost guarantee you have come into contact with a violent person , a sex offender or possibly a murderer . I know who I am dealing with but you probably don't.
These people have neighbours , family , friends etc.

My home town has a category A prison, so there are often recruitment stands around. They all seem tough as nails but quite enjoy the job - suppose they would say that on the recruitment stand though!

I imagine the job is not an easy one at at all it I'd say the vast majority of prisoners don't fit that description, especially in women's prisons . Even in men's prisons, those sorts of prisoners are probably the most amount of work but the majority will not be in that category of child molesters and killers

Like other public sector jobs their pay and working conditions have been eroded, so yes I do feel sorry for them as I expect for everyone that enjoys the job for nefarious reasons there are those who joined to make a difference (optimistically) or have little choice in employment in their area. I find the notion no I don't feel sorry for them as they chose the job intriguing though- many did choose the job but not as it is now, and thank goodness some people are happy to do it even though a large portion probably hate it. How would prisons function without any staff?

No, I know many that are happy enough - safe job . Many in for 25+ years service

@busybeeem99

Rather a sweeping and 100% incorrect statement there.
A prison can have very many people employed in it. As I have stated I have worked in one for over 10 years , and do not know the personal details of everyone including names , exactly as would be in any large company.

I was young but I was married and lived off site so I saw it but didn’t live in that culture. I did leave a few years after my first child was born because as you point out the work life balance was firmly in the work camp.

You know @WindChimeBreeze there are times when I have regretted leaving because the money was great, but after listening to you I would feel sad if my DD grew up thinking that my work was more important.

Thank you.
sometimes mumsnet throws up the unexpected.

I work within forensic services with some child sex offenders and murderers. Of course the index offence is at the back of your mind for risk assessment but no I don't find it horrendous anymore or take it home with me. Some people do horrendous things but that isn't their entire personality some can be quite funny and outgoing. You separate the person from their offences whilst also being aware of it.

I grew up the child of a prison officer. We had a good life because my father earned very good money by working a lot of overtime. We were very comfortable but my father did not drink or go to the club, his friends were the same. We, the children, are still friends now as adults. There were times my fathers life was in danger but we didn't realise at the time. He was threatened on many occasions by drug lords and in riots. He is a compassionate man. He told us you can hate the crime but not the person, he was there to do a job he was not judge or jury. That saying when I as a teenager was out one night and some guy came over to talk to me and told me to tell my father that xxxxx said to say hello I saw a different side of him. Police were involved rapidly and some on the inside sent a warning to this man. Overall my father was happy in his job, served thirty years, made great friends and money which we benefited from. My brother is now a serving officer as are many former officers children

could you happily deal with people like Ian Huntley everyday though,

i could not and would not be wanting to have a laugh with him at all.

@Nutsabouttopic My experience very much resonates with your DF I reckon it would be an interesting eye opener for him and your brother to discuss how different it is now. In your DFs day I expect he worked 30 years for a 40 year pension as the last 10 we got 2 for 1, we were well rewarded financially. Not so much these days.

Not Ian Huntley level but yes I've dealt with murderers and child sex offenders. It's a job and you have to be professional. If you treat someone horribly how can you build a therapeutic relationship ? Of course they are some vile people I've had someone threatening to rape me and try to attack me but I still act professional. I don't like what they have done but I recognise they are a real person with their own likes/dislikes personality traits, they aren't just their offence. Forensic services believe in recovery and rehabilitation even if they will never leave prison or hospital.

If you think about all the horrible things people do all the time, you wouldn't be able to do the job.

When did you do the role @dustandroses , out of interest?

So glad you have written this. I don't know what OP means by dregs of society. You surely meet all types of people including professionals too or don't they include dregs OP.

I'm in a hospital setting too I have never had an office be rude to me personally but they definitely toss it off, think its a laugh with the prisoner themselves and it's unprofessional. I've also known the officers to go to sleep...ask for tea and coffee like it's a day out for them all.

Your probably unaware of what an officers role entails OP.

@dustandroses my father and my brother have very interesting conversations alright. As my father says hes reared whole families through the system. Prisoners now are more drug related or gangland compared to my fathers time. My brother earns a very good wage but he works a lot of overtime

@Squareflair I agree with you. The saying you choose the job is silly what does that mean? Young people often change fields and not just that many of us even on this thread wouldn't like to do each others jobs.

Crankley
"They have chosen to do the job. They weren't pressganged into it so no, I don't"

Feel sorry for is maybe the wrong question though - yes they chose the job but it is possible to appreciate that they chose a tough job that many of us would not do, like hard manual workers, nurses, people that work in tough or really unpleasant environments, people that have to dedicate a lot of time to build skills and knowledge etc etc

I feel sorry for the those that are overworked abs had their safety compromised or have not been supported what targeted by a prisoner

some are absolutely great but have met those that love the power trip I think these people tend to be found out quite soon now

Yes I do. In the highest category prisons they face assault daily, yet are also expected to be councillors, advisors, therapists and have eyes in the back of their heads. Many of those in prison are from extremely challenging backgrounds that have given them no proper parenting. Many are suffering from mental health issues and have very low IQ's. Prison officers have to keep them safe as well as themselves safe - and be vigilant to ensure there are no suicides.

Yes - 'they chose the job' but many are doing it rather than be unemployed. There is shockingly low retention rates. Besides - it's not whether they 'chose it', it's the fact we need people to do it. The officers are doing the dirty work for us - keeping those people off the street we don't think should be out here with us. Prison officers have to treat these people like human beings - that's what they are. Many won't even know what crime the prisoners is in for.

I couldn't do the job - I'm very glad someone is doing it. I do think they should be paid more - and so should the police.