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?

OP you have a very one dimensional view of the world. Do you think the prisoners should be pitted against each other? You seem obsessed with the fact that you ‘couldn’t do it’. Why are you seemingly judging people who can do this job? If ‘having a laugh’ with a murderer keeps everyone on the wing calm and stops someone attacking someone Else, I’ll crack the jokes.

I watched a documentary about, I think it was Durham prison. There was a man, in his late 20s who had hammered nails into his knuckles. Multiple nails. What sort of mental pain do you have to be in to think you can release it like that? I often think of him and what became of him. Helping people like him lifts society up and stops cycles of abuse. Or are you against that as well OP?

OP has fucked off

Yeah, the grown-ups are talking now.

She’s probably off watching crime documentaries

Absolutely fascinating thread.

Shame the OP is fixated on a specific few rather than learning and listening.

Thank you to those that have posted insightful posts.

Years ago I watched that film Screwed. That bit where he tells his wife the horrible things he sees and hears and his corrupt colleagues. Based on a true crime book of the same name. Haven't got round to reading it though.

The other side of the coin, I used to work in a supermarket with this husband and wife and they left to work in a prison. Actually both a lot happier doing that.

Can I ask a question about prisoner allocation? When a prisoner is sentenced, are they sent to a prison close to their home area so that people can visit, or is that not taken into account?

Not always, before they’re actually sentenced they are but afterwards they’re sent wherever is suitable for their needs. For example, an 18 year old sentenced to 10 years in a young offenders unit might be sent to the other side of the country.

Another example is someone is sentenced to a cat A prison they could be sent to one miles away.

depends where there is space and facilities.

I'm not an expert but I think it hugely depends on the type of crime and the security level of the prison required to hold them, whether there are any health issues, and available capacity of the prison system. For smaller less serious crimes I think it's more likely to be closer to home if possible, but perhaps the posters more experienced than me can tell you.

They are separated across the country for many reasons

Gang associates

Terrorist associates

Victim access ( family members will commit crime to be locked up for revenge purposes )

Specifics of Category need

Capacity

Suitable for therapeutic intervention

That's really interesting, thank you all!

This strikes me:

For example, an 18 year old sentenced to 10 years in a young offenders unit might be sent to the other side of the country.

Is it not strongly in the interests of someone so young to be within easy reach of their families? I would have thought the loss of that support network would risk their forming a new one which may be less healthy.

The thing is though that most prisoners won't be evil child murderer types. Most prisoners will be vulnerable people who have had very difficult early lives and have messed up as a result. So, whilst the job must be very challenging at times I suppose it also offers a lot of rewards in terms of actually helping people to make positive changes long term.
I've had friends who were a prison chaplain and a prison teacher and a prison counsellor and they all loved their job and got a lot of satisfaction from it.
I also knew a woman who's brother was killed in a fight. She got involved in a restorative justice program(travelling around prisons talking about the impact crime had on the victims) she loved it, saw it make a real difference to people and became really passionate about campaigning for prisoners rights.

Yes I agree with you, and without their families they tend to turn to other forms of support with those they do have within reach … often more established criminals and gangs.

I’ve seen it happen unfortunately

Bananas have to be handed out to prevent riots lol. They come in bulk from the supplier. Spider climbed out and up and bit him. Quick trip to A and E with dead spider to check toxicity level.