HMP Berwyn is calling on jobseekers to consider some hidden roles in the service that play an important role in reducing reoffending.   

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.

The prison in Wrexham is looking for qualified staff to join as a prison industry instructor. 

Paul Allen, 41, alongside other hard working prison staff, is playing a crucial role in supporting the prison system through challenging times, with prisons until recently close to full.

Staff will play a key role in rebuilding the prison system so that it is more effective at cutting reoffending rates among those leaving prison.

Paul 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. 

He said: “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. 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.” 

In 2018 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.

MOST READ:

On the instructor role he said: “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.”

Prison staff at HMP Berwyn and across the country are doing an extraordinary job in challenging conditions. The focus of their work is to keep the prisoners and public safe, and staff help by being role models for prisoners and someone they can talk to. 

Paul added: “When you aren’t in the prison service, you tend to think that the only jobs available are on the Wings. But there are so many other roles available which I didn’t know existed before coming to HMP Berwyn. If someone wants to work hard, there are so many opportunities out there for them.

“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.”

More information can be found on the prison and probation website.