Becoming a Prison Officer

972 Words2 Pages

It's a tough job with unsociable hours, rare contact with the outside

world and a less than impressive pay package. So why would anyone want

to be a prison officer?

I am asked to place my coat and bag in a small cloakroom area, and am

ushered to a small room where my pockets are searched and body is

frisked. I find this 'procedure' quite uncomfortable, but think myself

lucky that these rigorous checks aren't performed everyday. I am given

a white sticker with 'visitor' on it and am promptly told to 'wear it

at all times' so I can be easily identified.

I am let through a series of grey cold steel doors, opened by a large

bunch of jangling keys and am greeted by the prison officer I have

come to interview with a firm, almost predictable handshake.

Carol Tomlin has been a prison officer at Bournemouth Magistrates

Court for thirteen years. She works in twelve hour shifts, five,

possibly six times a week in the 'cells' in the basement of the court.

Her only interaction is with the prisoners themselves and her fellow

officers. " Sometimes I don't see daylight all week, by the time I

leave work its dark outside and when I get up its also dark-it can be

quite a strain".

To look at Carol you wouldn't think that her job was a 'strain'. She

is far removed from the stereotypical prison officer that is

synonymous with polished black boots and a stern air of authority.

She has long blonde hair that is neatly tied up with a red flower hair

band. She is tall at 6ft, but not overpowering, as her smile and

welcoming stance assures. Her bright blue and pink make-up mirrors her

personality and enthusiasm for the job she calls 'her life and her

passion'.

"The job is hard, but I do love it, you get a great deal of job

satisfaction when you have helped somebody with a problem. Whether

that means getting through to someone about their drug addiction, or

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