Rutland veteran reveals 'best parts' of working at HMP Stocken
A veteran turned prison officer is recommending the job to his former Armed Forces friends
A Rutland veteran who now works at HMP Stocken says having "banter" with the prisoners is a highlight of the job, and is encouraging other former forces members to consider joining the prison service.
Prison officer Mick Jefcoate joined staff at the Rutland prison in 2020, after serving in the army for nearly 25 years:
'I had absolutely no plans, other than being a soldier. I was scrolling through pro-forces jobs and HMP Stocken came up. I always said to myself for years that I couldn't do that job, but I read through the description and said, "yeah", and here I am four years later.'
Mr. Jefcoate, who was stationed in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Bosnia, before finishing his army career at Kendrew Barracks in Cottesmore, said there are lots of transferable skills between the jobs:
'Even the youngest soldiers, from day one in training, they're taught to engage with people. That is a big one in this job. If you can't talk to someone, you're up against it straight away.'
'Discipline is transferable because, being forces, we understand discipline and sometimes you have to install it on the wings.'
He added: 'The best parts of the job? Dealing with some of the prisoners. To be honest there are days that I've come in and I've spent almost the whole day laughing and joking...
...You're doing everything you should be doing, but you can generally have some good banter with the guys. I'm a firm believer that if we can unlock them and have a bit of banter throughout the day, we've achieved our aim because they've not caused any problems.'