This week is 'Inside Justice Week' when across England and Wales you get the chance to take a look behind the scenes of the Criminal Justice System. Events and activities have been organised to show you how justice is done in our police stations, courts and prisons.
Today Jasmin Alcock, a prison officer at HMP Stafford, writes about her day.
Yesterday I spent the day in security - a different role to Oscar 2 (which involves organising movement to and from work and responding to incidents that occur throughout the day).
I share the daily tasks with a colleague - she checks that the escort equipment (handcuffs etc) is accounted for, processes the 'prisoner escort records' for all prisoners going out of the prison for medical appointments that day, and assists with processing security information reports (SIRs - the Prison Service's intelligence gathering tool).
I organise the visits seating plan for the afternoon’s visits and also process SIRs - which involves scanning previous reports for supporting intelligence and making an assessment of any actions required.
The intelligence source, who the information can be shared with, reliability of the information and the level of consequence, impact on security, and impact on the prison are all assessed before passing through management checks from the principal officer and Governor.
The thing with security is that you often get lots of different departments calling for advice or passing on information.
No piece of information is too small and often it can be the missing part to a puzzle.
The morning flew by.
During the afternoon I had to visit a couple of bed watches (this is where we have prisoners in hospital being guarded by prison staff) for a management check, to ensure everything was in order, while a colleague oversaw the running of visits.
When I returned to the office I had more SIRs to process!
The rest of my afternoon is spent updating Wing Senior Officers and other appropriate people on any intelligence received and making various requests such as to search a cell or prisoner or ask for further information.
I really enjoyed my day doing something different to my usual role. Working in security you get to know what’s happening throughout the jail
I have read Anon of east sussex's comments with great interest and have come the conclusion that he/she is a typical "not me guv I'm not guilty" whinging ex con who could'nt do his time. Oh and as you can see I'm not to ashamed to add my name to my comments.
Posted by: Pete,England 22 Nov 2007 19:07:24
Hi Jasmin, I think that the role of information is, as you say only part of the puzzle. I too work with people, albeit in a different role and am amazed that I often need Access help. I often have favours to ask the information department and they always help my needs, especially the Head.
Oswald Bailey
Posted by: Oswald bailey 14 Nov 2007 13:55:51
Having been entertained by a number of these PO's, whilst residing in one of Her Majesty's 'palaces', for something I didn't do, I have to say that my experience of them is that most, not all, but most are bigots and bullies who take delight in making life as miserable as possible for those in their 'care'. There is little or no effort to rehabilitate, and they make life hell for the most vulnerable of the prison population. Like all bullies they pick on the weakest.
Obviously the guilty deserve to be locked away, but torture is supposed to be illegal - including mental torture. Their treatment often alienates those who are most vulnerable and the resentment which builds up will often manifest itself in violence either inside or when they get out. No I wouldn't expect to be treated with kid gloves even if I was guilty, however, prisoners are supposed to be allowed to exercise once a day and to have 'association' out of their cells each day. These were seen by the PO's as priviledges and were cancelled at the slightest whim. We once experienced 'lock down' for three days in a row - that is being locked in your cell for 24 hours a day; no visits, no association, no work, no visits to the library, no education. If you treat people like animals they will become animals. The whole prison system needs reform - it does not work as a deterrent.
Posted by: Anon, East Sussex, UK 9 Nov 2007 11:59:07
Maam
Unlike other such roles in the name of public service and security, I really do sypmphathise with PO's who not only have to endure the varied elements of mankind, however, find themselves in prison for the best part of the day due to no fault of their own. However, perhaps one reassuring element to the fact is that your pay is somewhat greater than that of your guests.
Nonetheless, whether it be admin, security or appraising many a wing commander on the best course of action, Sir will no doubt be further assured that not only is no safety compromised, but no matter what, the well-being of all is at the uppermost of the mind in order to make the stay somewhat tolerant, if I may put it as such.
Naturally, Justice Week provided by http://www.sky.com/movies has provided a greater insight to what goes on behind the scenes, a matter more often than not obscured by virtue of external day to day elements.
I wish I never meet you under such circumstances, however, should you obtain early release from "DJ Shog" then I would certainly not miss the opportunity to enlighten you on matters surrounding "Another World".
Have fun, take care and keep tooned to http://www.sky.com/news
Posted by: Khalid 9 Nov 2007 10:10:20