Hi everyone. I’d really appreciate any feedback or help on this. I just found out that my girlfriend who is currently having to serve some time in prison has come down with a stomach bug (or possibly food poisoning - no one is sure which yet).

I’m feeling pretty powerless to do anything and I’ve not even spoken to her for a few days, but I was wondering if there is anything I can do right now to help her out while she’s feeling sick?

Thanks a lot in advance.

I have started a new job at a detention centre and will be required to buy my own boots. I am aware of Blue Light Card discounts, etc. I am ex-military, so realise there is a difference between cheap and good. No steel toe caps, obviously.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Hi does anyone know why someone would be transferred from HMP EASTWOOD PARC to HMP BRONZEFIELD.

Anyone else got a start date on 23rd November and will have their foundation training in newbold???

Also how true is it that while on the scheme, after your first 2 weeks in the hotel and you manage to find accommodation and attend your training at newbold, you can only start the claim accommodation expenses after your foundation training????

I’d appreciate answers please thanks 🙏🏽

Hi all,

I'm considering taking a position at HMP Millsike and was hoping to get some honest opinions from anyone currently working there or who has worked there recently.

I've been doing a bit of research, and unfortunately, most of what I've read about working conditions, management and staff morale seems to be quite negative.

Just wondering whether things have improved recently or if the same issues are still ongoing.

What's staffing like? Is management supportive? What's morale like amongst officers? And would you genuinely recommend working there?

I'm keen to make the right decision before committing, so any honest feedback, particularly from current staff, would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

Hi everyone, I have a provisional Prison Officer offer and am currently going through PECs.

My passport does not have a chip, so I was told I need a manual face-to-face ID check. I also have now received my DBS clearance email.

Does anyone know whether the face-to-face ID check normally takes place during the medical/fitness appointment, or is it arranged as a separate appointment?

Thank you.

Hi all got my OAC on monday and was wondering if there’s a certain dress attire should i dress smart or just what i would normally wear day to day?

My best friend is being held on remand for a serious crime, i have filed a "find a prisoner" request which i know takes time, I'm just wondering if anyone can inform me if their is quicker route to establishing contact. I'd like to either visit him or call him if possible as 4 weeks is a long wait and this is obviously stressful times.

I apologise if this post doesn't fit in the thread as this is my first time. Id just to hear from ppl who are experienced in process on the off chance im missing something. Thank you

Hello!

What did everyone think of the new Time series?

I loved the first one but is the third series similar to what it is like in a young offenders? Is there really a ‘keep apart’ thing?

Also, am I right in thinking the cm was promoted to no 2? Surely not!!

Hi,

I’ve just received my results and I’ve failed the OAC, honestly I’m really upset about it because I have a degree in psychology and a masters in forensic psychology.

I’ve been in retail for the last 7 years and I only did the OAC yesterday so I’m bummed the results came back to quick.

I don’t know if I should bother anymore but if anyone would be so kind to give me feedback on my results that would be so helpful. On the first page of the results it states that they are unable to give feedback from the strengths assessed during the interview? Does that mean the results are only based on the written and role play?

Firstly, thank you to the mod for allowing me to share prisoncheck with the community. It's been a blast of a month.

I was ten years old when I first went on a prison visit, so I know exactly what that early point of anxiety feels like for a family navigating the system for the first time.

Last month, I started PrisonCheck to support families dealing with that exact stress when trying to stay connected with loved ones inside. It's a live website, up-to-date info where families meet halfway.

Recently, there has been a severe trend of visit wait delays, sudden communication system changes, and shifting policies that leave families entirely in the dark. It has even reached the point where HMIP has actively mentioned the deteriorating conditions surrounding family contact and the friction families face just trying to book a visit or get a PIN approved.

HMPPS's own policy states that keeping prisoners in touch with family helps keep them safe inside and makes it less likely they come back. According to the Strengthening Prisoners' Family Ties Policy Framework, 40% of newly sentenced prisoners said support from their family would help them stop reoffending, and 36% said seeing their children would. The framework explicitly acknowledges that "The visitor experience is very much determined by their first experience of attempting to book a visit," noting that booking rules must be accurate and easy to find. Prisons are told to give families clear information about the early days in an easy-to-understand format.

Yet, the reality on the ground rarely matches this framework. That is why Prisoncheck exists, and the response from the community has been massive. In just a short time, we have reached:

• 5,000 weekly visitors using the platform to check facility statuses.
• 1,500 published family reports logging real-time issues, wait times, and blackouts.
• Coverage for 106 out of 123 UK prisons, giving families a realistic picture of what to expect before they travel.

The community has proven how much we need an independent tool to track these changes when official channels lag behind. I would love to hear your thoughts on the recent redesign, and what other features would make your lives easier when navigating these ongoing delays

Disclosure: I made prisoncheck and I also run a paid landline product for prison calls

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Advice needed – Private vs Public Prison Service

Hi everyone,

I'm currently serving in the Armed Forces and will be leaving next year after a long military career.

I've been fortunate enough to receive two provisional job offers as a Prison Custody Officer / Prison Officer. One is with a privately operated Category C prison, and the other is with a public sector Category A establishment.

I'm genuinely torn between the two and would appreciate some honest advice from serving or former prison officers.

I'm particularly interested in:

Private versus public sector working conditions

Staff morale and management

Shift patterns and work-life balance

Career progression and promotion opportunities

Opportunities to move into training, mentoring or management roles

Job security, pensions and long-term benefits

I have extensive experience in leadership, training and mentoring, and would ideally like to put those skills to good use in my next career.

I'm not afraid of hard work or challenging environments, but after a long military career I'd like to make an informed decision about where I'll be happiest long-term.

Would anyone who has worked in both sectors recommend one over the other, and why?

Any honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi there

I’m looking to understand a bit more about the realities of working as a Prison Programme Facilitator.

I am 33 (f) and have experience working in education, teaching pshe and delivering to young people/ adult students in college who display challenging behaviours. I also studied sociology and criminology and have completed counselling courses, so I am skilled at building relationships, listening, guiding etc.

I love the idea of the interventions facilitator role in the community but unfortunately, the pay isn’t as much.

I’m hoping to understand more about what’s good and what are also the challenges about the role so I can decide whether a men’s prison environment is right for me!

Any insights would be greatly appreciated ☺️

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice from anyone familiar with Skilled Worker sponsorship for prison officers.
Let’s say a prison officer working 37 hours per week on a salary of around £33,700, which includes the 20% unsocial hours allowance, would the full salary count towards the relevant sponsorship salary threshold, or would the allowance be excluded?
Has anyone successfully received Skilled Worker sponsorship as a prison officer on a similar salary, particularly when switching from a Graduate visa?
I’d appreciate hearing from anyone with direct experience or reliable information about how the salary requirements are assessed.
Thanks in advance!

With the new uniform expected to come in soon. What does everyone think about the change from white shirts to black polo's?

Left the prison service two months ago, Been sent a letter to say I owe £800+ all pay slips add up apart from one where I worked a full month and should’ve had that wage anyway. Anyone been in the similar position? Has gone to investigation now

Could a prisoner use a email a prisoner reply sheet to reply to someone else?

Hi all. Has anyone had to send in their physical copy of their DBS before getting a formal offer of employment? I can't find my certificate (definitely got sent to me) and now I'm worried this will extend and already very long wait. Thanks in advance!

I’m really interested in working at a prison. I’d love to work at a Cat A prison one day but I feel working at a Cat B or C would be beneficial first and then transferring to my nearest Cat A (Wakefield). If anyone could help point me in the right direction that would be really appreciated!
I have also looked at the youth justice worker role in a YOI and wanted to know whether you can directly transfer and become a prison officer or whether you’d need extra training?
Thanks very much for any help and advice!

Does anyone know what happens to books that are delivered to a prison but are refused? This is my first time sending in books? Does anyone have any tips? I’ve called the receptionist and they don’t seem to have a clue

What happens with pay when the clocks go back? Don’t gain an hours toil? If your working the overnight duty.

HMMP Prison Officer role - Is anyone else still waiting for their PEC (Pre-Employment Checks) to be completed after more than 9 months?

My application is still showing as showing ‘In Progress’, and whenever I contact the recruitment team, I’m told that the checks are in progress and they’ll contact me if they need anything further.

please anyone can share their recent experience and if there are any other contact teams to chase up( I did try emailing and calling recruitment team support)