Becoming a Prison Officer :: Papers

Its a tough personal credit line 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 arent performed everyday. I am stipulation 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 greet for thirteen years. She works in twelve hour shifts, five, possibly six times a week in the cells in the basement of the c ourt. Her only interaction is with the prisoners themselves and her fellow officers. Sometimes I dont see daylight all week, by the time I leave work its dark outside and when I reach up its also dark-it can be quite a strain. To look at Carol you wouldnt think that her job was a strain. She is far withdraw 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 tap 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