Jade, a supervising officer and former army medic at HMP Manchester, has progressed in the service in just three years
She wants you to join the HMP Manchester team as Ministry of Justice launches its first ever national TV and radio campaign, in major new drive to recruit prison and probation officers.
A former teacher and army medic, who switched to a prison officer career, is encouraging others to also apply, after a major new advertising campaign “An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you” was launched to tackle recruitment and retention by showing the reality of life in prison and probation roles.
Research commissioned by the Ministry of Justice also shows that 47% of the public don’t know much, if anything, about what the prison service does.* Many who do join the service will ultimately leave due to having misunderstood what the role involves.
After being an army medic for six years and then training to be a P.E teacher, Jade Barber (30), found herself applying for a prison officer role through the Unlocked Graduates programme. Over three years later, she plays an important role in helping to protect the public working as a supervising officer, having been promoted from prison officer after just 18 months in the job.
Supervising officers provide day-to-day supervision and support for prison officers and operational support grades, co-ordinating the delivery of the regime and activities on a prison wing.
Jade is encouraging others from a similar background to join her by becoming a prison officer. She says:
“While I was a little nervous before I started, from my first day I knew instantly that I would fit in. I enjoyed the camaraderie and teamwork with other colleagues, which I didn’t really have in my previous careers.
“If you are someone who wants a job where no two days are the same, I would definitely encourage you to apply to be a prison officer.”
An extraordinary job
Working within prison or probation is not your average job. From putting out cell fires to helping improve the literacy of prisoners, taking the time to listen or rehabilitating some of the hardest-to-reach members of society, the everyday of this job is extraordinary.
No two shifts are the same, and officers have to make on-the-spot decisions to keep themselves and those around them safe. A good prison officer is able to strike up a natural rapport and act as a positive influence and is willing to support their fellow officers and colleagues. Able to think on their feet, they can keep calm under pressure and make quick & effective decisions.
Someone like you.
There is no typical day on the job – and there’s also no such thing as a typical prison officer. They come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with, to form one team in the prison service.
With no specific qualifications required to become a prison officer, the most important qualities are being able to communicate and be team players. Jade adds:
“I have been able to transfer many of the skills I learned in the military, such as people skills, to my role as a prison officer. It’s about realising that not everyone is the same and adapting the way you speak to people, particularly prisoners who can be vulnerable. To be suited to a role as a prison officer you also need a drive to help others, and that includes colleagues as well as prisoners.
HMP Manchester is a men’s high security prison in Manchester city centre and is looking for officers to join Jade and her team. New recruits start on a salary of £32,851 and full training will be given. To find out more go to: https://prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/prison-officer/?utm_campaign=prc_brand_campaign&utm_medium=media&utm_source=pr
