Our analysis
We interviewed 33 ex-prison officers throughout 2020 – 2022. We additionally interviewed one another (as ex-prison officers) and anonymised ourselves within the knowledge set, which we hope will display creativity in methodological approaches in direction of criminological analysis. We each perceive the method of leaving HMPPS and our lived experiences have formed each facet of our analysis design.
We used Ebaugh’s (1988) sociological mannequin of position exit as our theoretical framework.
The 4 levels of her mannequin are as follows:
Experiencing doubt, frustration and burnoutSearching for alternativesReaching a turning level (which we tailored to creating plans to exit HMPPs – bodily and emotionally)Creating a brand new (post-prison) identification
We requested ex-prison officers questions that aligned with Ebaugh’s 4 levels of position exit and our goals are listed beneath:
Establish causes for wanting to go away the jail serviceExplore how motivation, behaviours and actions are formed by each private and institutional components (and intersections)Establish what ex-prison officers discovered constructive throughout their employment with HMPPSExplore each the constructive and damaging components related to leaving the jail serviceExamine the extent to which ex-prison officers maintain their former identification alive or discard it
We don’t declare to generalise our findings to each ex-prison officer – nonetheless, we discovered adequate consistency to determine reoccurring patterns in why persons are leaving/have left HMPPS.
Findings
Earlier than acknowledging the processes of position exit, we recognized many constructive facets of working as a jail officer:
Job satisfaction – making a small distinction to the custodial lives of prisonersPride at representing HMPPSCamaraderie, loyalty and dealing as a part of a teamNostalgic recollections of working with prisoners/staffDeveloping lasting friendships with different officersIdentifying transferable expertise relevant to different domains
Stage 1: Doubt, burnout and frustration
Bodily capabilities of the job – age of retirement and well being scaresMental well being of jail officersBurnout – demoralisation, desensitisation and tedium with the jobFrustrations expressed with new/current staffCivilianisation of jail officer rolesBureaucracy- remedy from senior managementAusterityCovid-19
Stage 2: ‘looking for alternate options’
Pure retirement (age graded variations relying upon level of entry/schemes when becoming a member of the jail service)Medical retirement- on grounds of bodily/psychological healthContemplation of a change of careerVEDS‘Simply had sufficient’Negotiated settlement to go away HMPPSApplying for a brand new profession – the liminality of being ‘betwixt and between’
Stage 3: Departure from the jail service
Biding time till the final shiftMixed feelings about leaving/strolling via the gates for the final time (as a jail officer)Poor or non-existent exit interview strategiesLack of formal acknowledgement for time spent in serviceLack of comply with up for ex-prison officers leaving the service
Stage 4: New position/identification put up jail officer
Our ultimate stage identifies the extent to which ex-prison officers both ‘amputate’ or ‘reconstruct’ their identification. Apparently, we had 3 ex-prison officers who contemplated participating in our analysis however then determined that ‘this chapter of their life is over’- which is a major contribution to understanding processes of transition:
Constructive facets of leaving HMPPS:
Enhanced psychological and bodily well-beingIncreased household timeNormal working patternsNew careers – transferable expertise recognised/ utilized on return to ‘civvy avenue’Retention of networks with different jail officersPositive objectives for the long run
Detrimental facets of leaving HMPPS:
Triggers – environmental cues that retraumatisePTSD and lasting psychological well being conditionsWho you may meet ‘on street’ (exterior of jail)Struggles with reintegration – (eg autonomy in new job roles)Extent to which ex-prison officer identification is discarded/utilised
By means of drawing upon the Authorities’s 2023-2025 technique, we current suggestions from our analysis on how HMPPS may re-incentivise their workforce
Recruitment. The completely different pathways supplied to recruit jail officers from various backgrounds are acknowledged and the 2023-2025 technique seems to current a extra inclusive and holistic strategy in direction of supporting jail officersPrison officer coaching Analysis knowledgeable coaching and supply from ‘pracademics’ (practitioners with tutorial analysis backgrounds in prisons/penology/desistance) could result in larger job satisfaction outcomes, enhanced working relationships with prisoners and finally affect positively on recruitment and retention charges.Decreasing the age of retirement A reconsideration of the bodily capabilities of the position of jail officer is required, and a coverage shift in direction of reducing the age of retirement for jail officers is crucial.Trauma-informed apply You possibly can by no means ‘un-see’ what you have got seen inside the position of jail officer- and a larger focus upon supporting ex-officers upon departure and reintegration may incentivise new recruits to trust that the service will take care of them.
Conclusion
HMPPS generally is a good place to work, however there must be important enhancements made to reinforce the longevity of careers for jail officers going forwards. Recognition of trauma, co-production/ higher working alliances with prisoners, supported via a proactive senior administration crew are constructive methods that may assist to keep away from burnout, demoralisation and different components linked to poor attrition charges inside jail officers. In abstract, Sarah and Darren conclude:
“There are such a lot of positives to working in HMPPS as a jail officer…and the job satisfaction, objective and contributions to creating a distinction to the custodial lives of prisoners are indicators of an esteem that’s unrivalled in lots of different occupations”
Due to Andy Aitchison for variety permission to make use of the header picture on this put up. You possibly can see Andy’s work right here
