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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Interview to work at women's prison, not sure whether to go

30 replies

Letsdancedavidbowie · 12/09/2022 18:38

Well I've got through to the next assessment round. It's for an officer job, is it really a good idea to go ahead with this?

OP posts:
Americano75 · 12/09/2022 18:42

If you're swithering at all then maybe it's not the job for you?

strawberry2017 · 12/09/2022 18:46

Why did you apply?

BattenburgDonkey · 12/09/2022 18:47

I don’t think anyone can answer wether it’s a good idea to go ahead, it’s obviously a good idea for some people to go ahead, but not others. Why did you apply for it? What are you worried about exactly? Do you even need this job?

FlissyPaps · 12/09/2022 18:48

You applied for a reason. What was the reason?

If you’re having doubts I agree with PP, it may not be the job for you.

Theres no harm in going to interview and asking questions. You’ll never know unless you go.

Lindy2 · 12/09/2022 18:49

Go along and listen to what they have to say at the interview.

The interview is just as much for you to see if the job suits you as it is for the employer to assess you.

For what it's worth I know several people who work at women's prisons and several who work at men's prisons. All very much enjoy their jobs and have been in prison based roles for many years.

Dillydollydingdong · 12/09/2022 18:50

Just go and see what it's all about. You might be pleasantly surprised. It can't do any harm.

Original poster
Letsdancedavidbowie · 12/09/2022 19:02

I'm worried about being at high risk of attack. I applied as I think I'm kind, understanding and non judgemental, and I'd like to help support the women.

OP posts:
Original poster
Letsdancedavidbowie · 12/09/2022 19:02

It's honestly the risk of being badly attacked that puts me off

OP posts:
FabFitFifties · 12/09/2022 19:06

I would expect to be attacked as prison officer, but you will be trained to deal with that. You may find you are skilled at diffusing situations. The risk is obviously real though.

summergone · 12/09/2022 19:07

No one can guarantee you won't get attacked , the attacks are so so quick they are rarely able to be stopped. That's the reality I'm afraid , you need to ask yourself if you can cope with that risk. Some people can but a lot cant .

Americano75 · 12/09/2022 19:09

The PPT training for officers is extremely thorough, but also bear in mind that there are other prison roles that allow you to support the women such as in education.

PaulGallico · 12/09/2022 19:17

I would expect you would have considered this before especially if you have already progressed in the assessment process.

strawberry2017 · 12/09/2022 20:05

I'm still confused why you applied- surely the risk of been attacked was something you considered before you applied?

daretodenim · 12/09/2022 20:11

Are you the OP who was then thinking about probation work or teaching in prison? I thought those might be better suited to you from your previous thread.

No harm in going to the interview for practice though - you've nothing to lose.

Sunspirit · 19/09/2022 18:02

As a female, 100% would rather work with the men than women.
I always found men had some semblance of respect for you and it all came down to treating them as a person, with appropriate humour. Got to remember some of them have a very long time to dwell on things and if you treat people in that environment awfully, you’re putting yourself or colleagues at risk. Basic craft as well helps e.g. making sure you sit by a door, never isolating yourself..
That increases your chances of getting attacked more than anything. Going in worrying about being attacked, the job perhaps isn’t for you.

Prison life in general, they do remember what you do or don’t do for them or those that will always fob them off.
I can’t properly speak for women’s as I’ve only worked in a local and high security. I’d say high security you have more of a chance of helping people, having a hand in their journey and it’s more stable. You have longer with them to actually make a difference rather than locals or a lot of short sentences women are serving. Perhaps look at that or a teaching type role? I did that in a local and it’s some of the best memories of my working life.
1000% recommend the job itself but only as I say, from my perspective in those areas. The service itself has peaks and troughs, lots of very young, brand new people coming through now who’ve never experienced a prison or confrontation before or want to use it as a springboard to other jobs which isn’t great.

ThatGirlInACountrySong · 28/10/2022 16:46

What did you decide op?

Shoemadlady · 28/10/2022 22:01

I work for Prisons. The level of threat and violence is very very real. Expect to be dealing with prisoners who make dirty protests, Spit and bite.
You can do good but as a prison officer you won't have the time to "make a difference" I think you hope you will. Prisons are very short staffed and the staff attrition rate is high.

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 28/10/2022 22:04

I feel sorry for the people who weren't as good at writing a job application and didn't get offered an interview but might have actually thought through the role and been perfect for it. If you call it off now, someone who wants the job still gets a chance.

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 28/10/2022 22:04

Oh FFS zombie!

girlfriend44 · 28/10/2022 22:05

I wouldn't but then I wouldn't have applied.
I would hate to work in a prison with some of the dregs in society.
What a fun and uplifting job mixing with criminals and all their issues. Thoroughly depressing environment.

whenimakeithome · 28/10/2022 22:08

Why are you only now realising you’ll (almost certainly) be attacked?

Greenshake · 28/10/2022 22:08

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 28/10/2022 22:04

I feel sorry for the people who weren't as good at writing a job application and didn't get offered an interview but might have actually thought through the role and been perfect for it. If you call it off now, someone who wants the job still gets a chance.

Definitely. The original post has made me irrationally annoyed.

Greenshake · 28/10/2022 22:13

girlfriend44 · 28/10/2022 22:05

I wouldn't but then I wouldn't have applied.
I would hate to work in a prison with some of the dregs in society.
What a fun and uplifting job mixing with criminals and all their issues. Thoroughly depressing environment.

I work with offenders and really enjoy my role. You should also re-think your “dregs of society” comment, as the majority of these people, whether you like it or not, are coming back out and opinions like that are not conducive to any sort of rehabilitation.

Calandor · 28/10/2022 23:27

girlfriend44 · 28/10/2022 22:05

I wouldn't but then I wouldn't have applied.
I would hate to work in a prison with some of the dregs in society.
What a fun and uplifting job mixing with criminals and all their issues. Thoroughly depressing environment.

They're still human beings many with kindness and good sparks still within them. Most women in prison have been victims of physical, domestic and sexual abuse as children or adults or both. Have some empathy.

Truthseeker456 · 29/10/2022 00:03

Greenshake · 28/10/2022 22:08

Definitely. The original post has made me irrationally annoyed.

Show quote history

Don't worry both doesn't work like that with prison recruitment. You pass tests you get through. Crying out for staff