anyone here a prison officer or know anyone tht is?

[geff_p]

wot do you/they think of the job?

[bananie]

horrendous conditions, horrendous pay and horrendous treatment from bosses. I used to work in a prison and a lot of my friends are PO's.

[dove]

its an awful job,

[geff_p]

really? dont u start on 17k a yr? wots so bad about the conditions? i av jus submitted an app form so am very interested...

[bananie]

long shifts, boring, personal safety is compromised by a lack of staffing leading to only 4 officers to look after 100 men in a hall, compulsory overtime but no o/t pay - only TOIL but not enough officers to allow you to take the extra time off, so you lose it. Capped wages at the top of your band and hardly any opportunity for promotion so you have to stay at the same band and the same wage for yeeeeeeeeeeears and years. want me to go on?

[geff_p]

pleeeeeeeeeeeeease expand!!!

[geff_p]

okay cheers for the insight dude

[Bewlay Bros]

geff_p.

I imagine the conditions are becuase you are in constant company with the dredge of society.

You will rarely see daylight and probably eat what the inmates eat.

You will constantly have to watch your back and political correctness and be aware that under your custody YOU are responsible for their actions.

You may be spat at, have crap thrown at you, assaulted and all this is an enviroment that is dull and grey.

Many of the inmates will have Hep C, HIV, and be suicidal.

You will be required to work nights, weekends and bank holidays.

But............................................

I think it is a good career and I am certain there are promotional aspects.

Good luck and start getting fit as I imagine the test is not a walk over.

[bananie]

well, you have to obey orders from your superiors for a start so you can't really say no to what they ask you to do. It really is boring, standing/sitting in the visits room for nearly a whole shift watching prisoners and visitors, or monitoring a hall for 4 hours on end without a break because there are not enough officers to cover you.

It really is grim, but I do know a couple of officers who really like the job and are really 'into' rehabilitating offenders and get really involved in the sentence management side of the job.

At the end of the day, you have to try it and see what you think, you may like it for a few years.

[geff_p]

okay cheers bewlay. I just feel so bored with my life and want to av a job where i can make a difference even if it is just to one person. It may sound naive but im sure that among all the idiots there are decent ppl in there tht want to reform. I am also aware that the job is goin to involve a hell of a lot of s*it, ie, intimidation, risk of assault etc. thx guys u given me more of an insight. I still reckon im gonna go for it. I can always walk away if it truly is not for me...

[bananie]

and contrary to what bewlay says, you don't have to eat what the prisoners do - you have to bring your own food !!

[geff_p]

cheers bananie, i rek thts the side tht i mite find rewarding- rehabilitation and suchlike. I want the satisfaction of making a difference to some1. Surely not too much to ask.

[Bewlay Bros]

Sorry, I have no real insight, just guessing.

Have you considered the arned forces geff? They are recruiting later in life nowadays

[geff_p]

im only 21 but im asthmatic so they wont take me. already tried tht route. was absolutely gutted when i found out they are so strong on asthmatics.

[bananie]

armed forces don't treat their guys any better than the prison service - insufficient, inadequate equipment, inadequate pay etc and not to mention danger and being away from home etc.

[tufty7]

one of my mates is a p.o, and he says he hates it , abuse all day , inmates saying I know where you live etc etc etc you cannot trust anyone, people try to befriend you for ulterior motives and you have to watch your back at all times, Other than that its a good job if you can hack it and depending on what prison you are at as well depends on severity of the inmate..

he as been saying he hates it for the last 5 years !!!! something keeps him there...lol

[Self Tapper]

As a serving officer myself I recommend it as a cure for stagnation and as a fresh start. Take a good look at www.prisonofficer.org.uk to find answers. Good luck

[geff_p]

thx every1. uv helped me so much and i am now sure tht it is something tht im gonna giv my best shot! cheers.

[Ice.Maiden]

Good luck geff. It might be a harder job than some, but it's a necessary one, and not all PO's hate the work. A friend of ours was placed at a prison in London, and he says it's the best move he ever made.

[AnnaJ]

Can any ex prison officers help me? Am looking for ex prison officers to take part in a documentary about prisons.Please email [email protected]
Thanks, Anna J