Now Ye're Talking - to a Prison Officer

Are there really a lot of prisoners inside for very minor offences i.e. not paying t.v. licence fine etc.
I always believed that prison should only be for people who have committed murder, paedophilia, rape etc i.e. violent crime The rest should be made do community work. How do you feel? I also feel that when someone is put inside his wife and children are also sentenced by having to go there to visit, manage without his income and are tarnished by what he has done.

Dfmnoc wrote: »

What time is lunch break

Generally 1-2. Prisoners get their dinner between 12 and 12:30 and are locked up for 1pm until 2pm. During this time, a skeleton staff (who have had an early dinner) man the prison to keep checks over the hour while the staff get their break. Other things to note is that inmates collect their food from a servery and return to their cells with it to eat rather than dining in a food hall like in movies.

endacl wrote: »

Minister of Justice for a day, and money no object. What one thing would you change about the place you work?

Interesting question and I've never really thought about it before. I'll have to come back to this! I'd see to it that every offender has either given back to the community in someway or has bettered himself academically or training wise. No point in being in a box for 5 years and learning nothing. How would you change? What's the incentive?

eviltwin wrote: »

In your opinion does prison work? What percentage of prisoners would be offenders ?

All of them

Repeat offenders, I would say that roughly 1/3 come back at some stage. Prison historically hasn't worked. Hopefully that's gonna change but training and education should be central to that.

Omackeral wrote: »

Before anyone asks about rapists or pedophiles, I don't deal with them. Sorry if that's a bit vague.

Curious about this. Is this due to the prison you're in or do some offenders get seperate facilties or prison officers or whatever.

Questions from Tar.Aldarion

How are inmates able to get so much contraband into prisons?
Answered previously.

Do you keep in contact with inmates that have been released since you arrived?
No. Would be a conflict of interest really. If I saw them out and about I'd exchange pleasantries and say hello and it wouldn't bother me but at the same time maybe he doesn't want to be reminded of his time in there or would be embarrassed.

Did you ever meet an inmate who you thought was innocent of the crime they were put away for?
I suspect there's a few in there doing sentences for other peoples crimes but they're afraid/too loyal/being compensated and so take the wrap.

Who's the most memorable inmate you can remember?
Oh man there's been some bonkers ones. One fella was making allegations against staff and when challenged on it his response was ''I'm no fcuking Alligator, Chief.''

Were there ever other officers who abused their power?Do you think the job attracts people who want to be in control at all?
Or any corruption at all?

Corruption, yes. A few prison officers have been sent down for smuggling contraband in for a price. Theses chaps will do rough jail as inmates won't like them given their profession and staff won't like them given their betrayal. Result is protective custody basically.

Were there any times that you feared for your life?
For my life, I'd say no. But was in one major riot were serious injury was a distinct possibility. Some staff were hurt actually. Could have easily been me.

Did you have a favorite inmate/make real good friends with one?
There's a few you buzz off, sure. You'd establish a rapport with them even in some cases. But a friendship is dangerous as you could become compromised. There's some I could definitely be mates with if circumstances were different.

Do you miss any of them in particular? Why if so?
No. Any of the ones I enjoyed, well I'm happy they're out and wish them well.

What's the worst thing you've seen happen?
I've seen some very bad cuttings, I mean deep and wide and blood spurting. Nasty.

What's the most memorable turn around you witnessed? From someone who seemed a no hoper to somebody with a few prospects. Or were there people made worse by prison moreso?
A lad went in on a serious charge. Bit of a gangster in all honesty. Was a major player when he came in. After a while he got stuck into the gym and it consumed him. He went on to do a Fitness Instructor course and Nutritional and Health Sciences. Today he runs a gym and has a great reputation.


What happens if in mates ever tried attacking guards? Do they have imaginative ways to hide weapons?
Attacks on staff would be less common than attacks on fellow prisoners. If it happens on staff, it's usually reactionary rather than premeditated. Also, escalation of a given situation is where it gets messy. As for imaginitive ways to hide weapons, one fella had a pocket sown into the inside his boxers to store a blade.

If you could change one thing about how the prison you are at is run what would it be?
I'd like to impose a little bit more of a military style roll call for prisoners. The staff have to do it for managment, I'd like to see the prisoners do it once a day for officers in the morning. Just a small respect thing.

What was the weirdest or most surprising thing you found in an inmate's cell?
A George Foreman grill.


Do officers get intimated outside work?
I haven't nor have any of my own pals in there.

Tell me of the inmate you hate most?
None of them get under my skin to the point where I'd waist hatred on them. Far too much effort there! A few have serious attitude problems though. I don't make an effort with them, just direct orders.

Anybody ever escape?
Perhaps the most infamous one occured on 31 October 1973 three IRA members escaped from Mountjoy Prison. Earlier that day another IRA member had hijacked a helicopter and forced the pilot to land at the D Wing of Mountjoy Prison where they picked up the three IRA prisoners J.B. O'Hagan, Seamus Twomey and Kevin Mallon.

I have a 20 pack of cigarettes, what can i get for them in prison?
Washing done for a week by a trustee in the laundry. Probably drugs!

Do any of the inmates have outrageous nicknames?
Ha yeah they do. Fatpuss, Sixpence, Wheelie-bin to name a few!

Questions from KomradeBishop

Have any prison officers been caught or suspected of smuggling in drugs or other 'contraband'?

Yes. One was caught bringing in heroin a couple of years ago and was handed a custodial sentence. Another was charged with bringing in phones, alcohol and other drugs. A google search will bring up news on this, I don't wanna name names.

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Are there any kind of prejudiced attitudes from prison officers, towards prisoners? (or even specific groups of prisoners, e.g. travellers, addicts?).

Unfortunately yes. There are a lot of old school staff who would never have dealt with Eastern Europeans or Africans and would see them as beneath your general prisoner. Same with Travellers and addicts. Training now is trying to address these issues so hopefully newer staff will be more tuned in. We also have staff of varying nationalities these days including Nigerian, Chinese etc.

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If a prisoner is physically violent to a staff member, are they ever retaliated against excessively (more than is needed to restrain them) - or suspected to have been - to dissuade repeat offences or to make an example of them?

The company line is 'using correct control and restraint techniques'. As you can imagine, sometimes this isn't adhered to. Prisoners have avenues of complaints they can make nowadays should they so wish.

asked already but not sure if it's been answered. what do you call the prisoners is it a number or their name. Thanks for doing this by the way, it's very interesting

salmocab wrote: »

Do you ever peek behind posters on walls, just in case….

Yes actually, that's part of doing a cell search. Usually it's of a scantily clad babe so it's imperative that you are thorough in your examination.

December2012 wrote: »

Did you have to get clearance or an okay from your boss or managers etc to do this AMA? How much are you allowed to talk about your work generally?

I had to sign the Official Secrets Act upon joining so basically no names and nothing that compromises security. I didn't ask for permission but I'll stand by everything I post. Prisons are funded and paid for by the people so they have right to know how things work so long as nothing is in jeopardy.

Mar Mar Marmalade wrote: »

Do inmates generally get picked on depending on if they're considered an easy target to others or is it a bit of to each their own compared to that of the so heard viciousness of American prisons.

Bullying does go on I think but it's actually frowned upon by a high percentage of the prison population. They have a warped sense of morality some of these boys! Generally, a quiet unassuming fella just in to do his time will be left alone.

Questions from Holsten


What is your view on the entire justice system at the moment? Working? Not working?

I don't think prison has historically 'worked'. Sometimes it makes people worse. They'll come in on a 9 month sentence for something small, make dodgy contacts on the inside and then hook up with a greater criminal network outside.

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What do you think about punishment vs rehabilitation.

I think the answer is somewhere in the middle. The punishment is the loss of liberty. Want to go the shop for a Choc-Ice?> Too bad, you can't. Wanna hug your child. Same again. So that's a trivial thing and a massive thing but it's enough in itself. Rehabilitation, there's none without education. Upskilling is key. The stigma of being a former prisoner is a massive barrier too. Any agencies who take a chance on ex cons deserve a pat on the back if ot works out.

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How many re offenders do you see? Percentage wise.

I'd say 30-40% in and around. You also get successive generations. We had a Father and son next door to each other not so long ago.

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If you could make any drastic changes what would they be?

Water charges for prisoners :P

Is there a time limit after 7.30 when lights and telly are shut down or can they go all night?

hawkwind23 wrote: »

What size are the cells?
How many in each?
Do prisoners prefer a single cell or to share?

Are you allowed to spend time alone with a prisoner? for example go into his cell to check on him etc?
What happens when a prisoner is sick? Is there a sick wing?

Cells are 8 foot wide and 12 foot long as far as I know. Single cells are far more desirable because you have time to chill out and be alone with your true self rather than the pumped up gangster version of yourself that you portray in in general population (in some case IMO).

I've often spent a bit of time with a prisoner helping him to write a letter or that, a lot of them are semi literate or can't write at all. I'd do this in my office though rather than his cell. Office is a place of professionalism, cell is basically his bedroom.

We have medical staff on site. Nurse officers, medics and doctors. If needs be, an escort can be arranged to take a prisoner to hospital.

Starokan wrote: »

I've often read about Mountjoy not having proper toilet facilities for inmates. Not asking are you working there but what would be your take on that.

If you think its archaic etc has there been any impetus amongst the officers unions to solve?

Thankfully, Mountjoy in 2014 is all single cells and all those cells have in cell sanitation. Scandalous that the multiman slop out cells existed in this century at all. If you treat people like animals, don't be shocked if they act like them. Urine and faecal matter was often used as a weapon against staff during these days.

yipeeeee wrote: »

Do sexual assaults actually happen?

I've never encountered any thankfully. If I did, I hope to God that the staff and other prisoners would be decent enough to treat the victim accordingly.

mikemac1 wrote: »

How do you address a prisoner?

Is it come with me 24601 or come with me prisoner Murphy? Maybe something else?

These are the questions I love. The simple ones that I'd often wonder but never get to ask. We call all prisoners by their first names. They call us either 'Officer' or 'Mr.Davis' or whatever your surname is. I would call my colleagues by their surname too so I would address him as Mr. Smyth. Female staff are generally called 'Miss' by prisoners or 'Ms. Davis'.

Great question.