South Holland-area custodial manager urges people to volunteer for SMP Stocken in Rutland

Helping people to turn their lives around is one reason why a senior prison officer enjoys his job - and is hoping to encourage others into the profession.

Custodial Manager Mark Douglass (48), who lives in the South Holland area, wants to challenge the negative perceptions of working in a prison in order to boost more recruits by highlighting the positive impact that officers can have.

Many of us will see prison officers as the strict Mr Mackay from Porridge - but Mr Douglass says that life in a modern prison like HMP Stocken in Rutland is completely different.

The public were able to learn more about career opportunities available in the prison service when HMP Stocken ran an open day today (Wednesday).

Former solider Mr Douglass said: “What you see with Porridge and other dramas on the television is not very helpful. They are not a true portrayal of a modern prison service.

“There are days that are tough and challenging but if you put a television programme on about the modern to day-to-day life of the prison, you would have a different view.

“The majority of people have made a mistake or they have not been given the tools and skills from being young through poor family relationships and adverse childhood experiences but they end up being involved in crime or committing a crime.

“But it is the enjoyment you get out of being a role model or parental figure. As a prison officer you wear many hats.”

Having grown up around a prison in Suffolk where his father worked, Mr Douglass had always wanted to join the service.

But he became a boy soldier at 16 and spent 15 years in the army, including difficult tours in Iraq, before finally joining the prison service in 2006.

While he admits that there are tough and challenging days, there are a lot of positives as well.

Mr Douglass said that he has built up good relationships with prisoners by being decent and respectful.

He said: “You can change people’s lives. I used to work at North Sea Camp working with people at the end of their sentences.

“There was a man who had served more than 20 years in custody and was coming to the end of his sentence and was successful in getting parole.

“When I came to Stocken I received an email from his parole officer. He had been out ten years but still talked about the impact we had on his life. He talked about the advice and guidance.

“I have always tried to have a positive impact as you may change a life and you hope that they will never create another victim.”

People who would like to take the first step towards a rewarding new career can apply or find out more by visiting https://prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/prison-officer

For more details on recruitment you can contact paola.mackinlay1@justice.gov.uk