How do you sum up a job that's so many things rolled into one? Until you've been in a prison, you might think it's just about keeping offenders locked up and under control. Well, of course, there is that aspect to it. You are responsible for security, making sure prisoners keep to the rules, calming tensions, and dealing with difficult and challenging behaviour. But there's much more to it than that.
You'll be working to change people: to show them there's a better way of life than the one that led them to prison. When they first enter the prison, they can react in different ways. Whether they're first offenders, on remand or sentenced to life imprisonment, accepting where they are is hard.
Establishing positive relationships with people like this calls for understanding, patience and an open mind. As well as showing different sides of your character, you'll do different types of work. Supervising and taking care of prisoners is part of every Prison Officers' day, but there's a whole range of other responsibilities you could take on too.
However your career develops, it will always be varied and always offer you opportunities to move forward and help prisoners improve their lives.
Read more about the duties and responsibilities of a Prison Officer.
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