Prison officer career change
Discussion
Anyone ever considered this?
I'm bored silly in my current job and having to work ridiculous hours with little say in the matter, its also having an impact on my health due to the nature of the stuff I use at work.
I want a challenge, something where I can make a difference, where every day is different and that offers training. I can't afford to retrain in something like nursing as I can't afford 3 years out of work with just a small grant to live on!
This is something that has always interested me but here are the pros and cons as I see them for me:
Pros
- Steady and secure job
- Chance to make a difference
- A big challenge
- Local work
- Set shifts way in advance to plan life, can choose from 37, 39 and 41 hrs per week
- Civil service pension
- Training and chance of progression
- a livable wage from the start, even whilst training
Cons
- Obviously, potentially dangerous
- Less pay than I am used to which may not reflect the danger element
- I am not the biggest of blokes at 5'9 and 13 stone, and at 29 years old still quite fresh faced, which could be a disadvantage - advice I've been given so far says it doesn't matter much, its the soft skills needed to keep you safe more than size, which I'm dubious about!
- horror stories of understaffed prisons meaning officers at greater risk
Any thoughts appreciated to help me think more about this potential career change would be appreciated
I'm bored silly in my current job and having to work ridiculous hours with little say in the matter, its also having an impact on my health due to the nature of the stuff I use at work.
I want a challenge, something where I can make a difference, where every day is different and that offers training. I can't afford to retrain in something like nursing as I can't afford 3 years out of work with just a small grant to live on!
This is something that has always interested me but here are the pros and cons as I see them for me:
Pros
- Steady and secure job
- Chance to make a difference
- A big challenge
- Local work
- Set shifts way in advance to plan life, can choose from 37, 39 and 41 hrs per week
- Civil service pension
- Training and chance of progression
- a livable wage from the start, even whilst training
Cons
- Obviously, potentially dangerous
- Less pay than I am used to which may not reflect the danger element
- I am not the biggest of blokes at 5'9 and 13 stone, and at 29 years old still quite fresh faced, which could be a disadvantage - advice I've been given so far says it doesn't matter much, its the soft skills needed to keep you safe more than size, which I'm dubious about!
- horror stories of understaffed prisons meaning officers at greater risk
Any thoughts appreciated to help me think more about this potential career change would be appreciated
May be worth reading https://www.amazon.com/Strangeways-Prison-Officers...
Daughters boyfriend is one, seems reasonably happy.
Does 1 week on & 1 week off full pay, plus at the moment as they are apart due her studing etc he is getting tons of overtime with bonus. On top of normal overtime rates, if he commits to 4 weeks solid a extra £100 a week or if he comits to 14 weeks but 1 week on & off its £200 a week !!
Main problem seem s to be running out of unseen box sets ?!
Does 1 week on & 1 week off full pay, plus at the moment as they are apart due her studing etc he is getting tons of overtime with bonus. On top of normal overtime rates, if he commits to 4 weeks solid a extra £100 a week or if he comits to 14 weeks but 1 week on & off its £200 a week !!
Main problem seem s to be running out of unseen box sets ?!
My Mrs friend is a prison officer, been doing it around a year now and loves it. I wouldn't worry too much about being smallish, she's the most molly coddled 25 year old you could meet and this is her first proper job, and she seems to get on just fine. You can be built like a brick s
t house and still be hurt if you can't diffuse situations with words.
t house and still be hurt if you can't diffuse situations with words. you will make no difference at all, sadly.
My brother joined the teaching professions with similar idealistic principals. Had a good career at a decent school, wanted a challenge so moved to a school in a rough part of Edinburgh to "make a difference". He ended up disillusioned and burned out so left the profession after around 20 years in it.
My brother joined the teaching professions with similar idealistic principals. Had a good career at a decent school, wanted a challenge so moved to a school in a rough part of Edinburgh to "make a difference". He ended up disillusioned and burned out so left the profession after around 20 years in it.
Shaw Tarse said:
May be worth reading https://www.amazon.com/Strangeways-Prison-Officers...
Thanks ill give it a look Pothole said:
I work with a few former POs. You will make no difference at all if their experiences are anything to go by. Most Police forces are/were recruiting control room staff. It can be quite rewarding and is reasonably well paid. Downsides are shifts including nights.
I'm not entirely sure it's my thing if I'm honest but I'll have a look online and see what I can find out. Gerradi said:
Daughters boyfriend is one, seems reasonably happy.
Does 1 week on & 1 week off full pay, plus at the moment as they are apart due her studing etc he is getting tons of overtime with bonus. On top of normal overtime rates, if he commits to 4 weeks solid a extra £100 a week or if he comits to 14 weeks but 1 week on & off its £200 a week !!
Main problem seem s to be running out of unseen box sets ?!
Yes from what I gather, overtime on a scheme they call payment plus is at £22 an hour, which is a little bit more than my current hourly rate, so would be good to do a few hours to top up the pay packet as it will be quite a drop for me. Does 1 week on & 1 week off full pay, plus at the moment as they are apart due her studing etc he is getting tons of overtime with bonus. On top of normal overtime rates, if he commits to 4 weeks solid a extra £100 a week or if he comits to 14 weeks but 1 week on & off its £200 a week !!
Main problem seem s to be running out of unseen box sets ?!
Good to hear of someone who enjoys it and not all doom and gloom. Is he a big bloke?
CX53 said:
My Mrs friend is a prison officer, been doing it around a year now and loves it. I wouldn't worry too much about being smallish, she's the most molly coddled 25 year old you could meet and this is her first proper job, and she seems to get on just fine. You can be built like a brick st house and still be hurt if you can't diffuse situations with words.
Encouraging, thank you t house and still be hurt if you can't diffuse situations with words. loskie said:
you will make no difference at all, sadly.
My brother joined the teaching professions with similar idealistic principals. Had a good career at a decent school, wanted a challenge so moved to a school in a rough part of Edinburgh to "make a difference". He ended up disillusioned and burned out so left the profession after around 20 years in it.
Thanks for your replyMy brother joined the teaching professions with similar idealistic principals. Had a good career at a decent school, wanted a challenge so moved to a school in a rough part of Edinburgh to "make a difference". He ended up disillusioned and burned out so left the profession after around 20 years in it.
I work at one/two but not frontline staff.
Of all the PO's I see, the one's that 'make a difference' aren't big, burly blokes. They are of slight build, maybe average height 5'5" - 6'
What they do possess is an approachable personality. Someone who listens and appears to do so with empathy.
When it does kick off, they get in there without wanting to stuff it to the prisoner but just see a situation that needs to be dealt with, and do it with a calm, measured approach.
There are the 'big' PO's as well, and most have the same characteristics as above. They can be aholes as well, same as anyone else though.
Pay isn't great for POELTs, but the work is secure and no two days the same, I guess.
There is a big increase in small, female officers and a lot with nice fingernails, eyebrows etc. I have seen a couple got rid of too, they can't seem to keep their hands off the prisoners!
Of all the PO's I see, the one's that 'make a difference' aren't big, burly blokes. They are of slight build, maybe average height 5'5" - 6'
What they do possess is an approachable personality. Someone who listens and appears to do so with empathy.
When it does kick off, they get in there without wanting to stuff it to the prisoner but just see a situation that needs to be dealt with, and do it with a calm, measured approach.
There are the 'big' PO's as well, and most have the same characteristics as above. They can be a
holes as well, same as anyone else though.Pay isn't great for POELTs, but the work is secure and no two days the same, I guess.
There is a big increase in small, female officers and a lot with nice fingernails, eyebrows etc. I have seen a couple got rid of too, they can't seem to keep their hands off the prisoners!
I visit a few prisons through work, mainly the Cat C ones, but the odd Cat B as well. I can't offer any insight into the job directly but the Prison Officers I've met seem to come in all shapes and sizes, I don't think your height or build will be a barrier to anything. Communication skills are definitely more important in the job than being able to fight I would suggest.
I think the job is more varied than many people realise.
I think a strong character is essential working in a prison
I think the job is more varied than many people realise.
I think a strong character is essential working in a prison
I used to work as a custody officer which may be ab option. I preferred this as the turnaround of 'clients' was quicker and you get to see some regulars. Still got the shifts and the Police are taking back responsibility in my area as well so there is the potential for good support.
Great bunch of people and very sociable as well.
I left due to knowing too much about who was in my local area and had a child on the way so wanted to be at home a bit more. Left there 9 years ago and still stay in contact with loads of people I used to work with.
Again, size isn't that important. It's being able to diffuse a situation with words they need. The Police are on site if you need someone to enforce some legal muscle.
Great bunch of people and very sociable as well.
I left due to knowing too much about who was in my local area and had a child on the way so wanted to be at home a bit more. Left there 9 years ago and still stay in contact with loads of people I used to work with.
Again, size isn't that important. It's being able to diffuse a situation with words they need. The Police are on site if you need someone to enforce some legal muscle.
I wouldn’t bother mate, my brother did it for 13 years on the old terms and conditions so far better money than what you’ll start at.
He worked in a CAT B prison was like a revolving door for new recruits and very few hacked it and the giver me to seem to like it that way (minimal pensions and constant low pay). Was going very politically correct for promotions too, him and his experienced mates constantly getting passed over for promotions (no pay rise anyway because of the terms) for people with 12 months on the job and no clue so a box was ticked.
He was assaulted luckily only once, but a mate of his very nearly lost an eye recently.
He now works in the rail industry for more money and no risk of being called a ****, being assaulted or having excrement thrown at him. Drugs are so prevalent in the prisons now you have little or no chance of helping anyone.
Where about are you located?
He worked in a CAT B prison was like a revolving door for new recruits and very few hacked it and the giver me to seem to like it that way (minimal pensions and constant low pay). Was going very politically correct for promotions too, him and his experienced mates constantly getting passed over for promotions (no pay rise anyway because of the terms) for people with 12 months on the job and no clue so a box was ticked.
He was assaulted luckily only once, but a mate of his very nearly lost an eye recently.
He now works in the rail industry for more money and no risk of being called a ****, being assaulted or having excrement thrown at him. Drugs are so prevalent in the prisons now you have little or no chance of helping anyone.
Where about are you located?
Thanks for the replies all. Opinion seems to vary so much with this. I've had a lot of helpful info from online forums etc but again, everyone has a different opinion.
My nearest prison is HMP Gartree in Market Harborough, then probably Littlehey near huntingdon, Onley in Rugby, and Bedford (bedford gets the higher 27k starting salary compared to the rest at 23 but not sure its worth the journey...)
I'm looking to apply for the closest to me with the view that they're all going to have some reasonably terrible offenders, may as well stay close to home and cut down the commute
My nearest prison is HMP Gartree in Market Harborough, then probably Littlehey near huntingdon, Onley in Rugby, and Bedford (bedford gets the higher 27k starting salary compared to the rest at 23 but not sure its worth the journey...)
I'm looking to apply for the closest to me with the view that they're all going to have some reasonably terrible offenders, may as well stay close to home and cut down the commute
Red Sleeper said:
Yes from what I gather, overtime on a scheme they call payment plus is at £22 an hour, which is a little bit more than my current hourly rate, so would be good to do a few hours to top up the pay packet as it will be quite a drop for me.
Good to hear of someone who enjoys it and not all doom and gloom. Is he a big bloke?
Red he is soild type typical rugby scrum type, not tall but nearly as deep as he is wide.Funny incident when theydid/do training to pacify a prisoner he played the prisoner, they were using older equipment apparently but the problem was the older handcuffs were to small to lock around his wrists . Ofcoure no such problems when zip type restraints are used...but sorry to say none of this matters as he & his mother have got covid-19,he is now off work &his mum.Good to hear of someone who enjoys it and not all doom and gloom. Is he a big bloke?
So red risky job at the moment....
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