HMP Berwyn looking for staff in behind-the-scenes jobs in prison service

HMP Berwyn is on the lookout for staff to take on some of the lesser known roles within the prison service.

The prison, on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, is looking for qualified staff to join as a prison industry instructor.

Prison industries cover more than 300 workshops and provide goods and services in every category from textiles and laundry, to woodwork, engineering and even injection moulding.

Paul Allen, 41, joined the prison service seven years ago having previously worked in printing.

He initially started at HMP Berwyn as a prison officer when it opened in 2017.

A year later Paul moved from the landings into a prison instructor role in waste management. Since then, he has progressed through the ranks and is now an industry manager, overseeing a range of workshops.

“Before joining the prison service, I worked locally on an industrial estate and started to see the signs go up about the new prison in Wrexham being built,” explained Paul.

“Having spent a long time in printing I decided that I needed a new challenge and working in the prison service seemed like the perfect opportunity.

“When you first join the prison environment it can be daunting, and you rely on the support of colleagues to get you through it.

“On TV prison officers are often portrayed as the villains, but I quickly realised that quite the opposite is true. Prison officers are there to support the prisoners.”

On the instructor role he says: “I think it’s brilliant. You are working with prisoners over a long period of time, so you get to know them well and can build some really good professional relationships.

“You can tell when the prisoners have an issue, and I enjoy working with them to help them solve it.

“Our role is also about developing prisoners as people as well. You are dealing with some prisoners who have never had a job before, so it’s very rewarding to see them develop. It can be as basic as getting them to arrive to work on time to deliver the task in hand.

“As well as waste management, we teach the prisoners textiles and metal fabrication, and all manner of other things. If a prisoner wants to use their time here productively, they can come out with so many skills and qualifications.”

Instructors are trained to work safely and effectively with prisoners and can also study for an apprenticeship.

Paul added: “To be an instructor or an officer, above all else, you need good people skills.

“In the prison service you deal with people from all walks of life, so you’ve got to be able to process people’s views and find a way to get the best from that person.”

To take your career in a rewarding new direction you can apply or find out more here.