While most media coverage of the sector focuses on the negative, the @HiddenHeroes_uk Twitter account is used to share positive stories about prisons, IRCs, probation and youth justice services, and the #HiddenHeroes who work in them.
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WATCH: Librarian Marie Ayoola from @HMP_Brixton talk about the key roles prison libraries and librarians play in engaging prisoners with reading. "Sooner or later, I'll get you picking up a book."
This week we’ve been hosting various sessions to celebrate Neurodiversity Week. Lots of prisoners and staff have attended and so far the feedback has been excellent!! #hmpps #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek2023
Only a week to go before staff from Hmp Bristol jump with these magnificent men from the Red Devils @HMPBristol @hmpps @vanessa98307389 @RedDevilsOnline @TheParachuteReg @CEOHMPPS
Have a look at this video filmed in HMP Downview! Starring are just a handful of our amazing officers and all of the brilliant work they do, as well as career progressions available within the prison service⭐️‼️ https://twitter.com/hmpps/status/1636369708177039361
📢Did you know most prison senior leaders started their careers working on a wing?
There are many different ways you can progress in your career & you don't need experience or qualifications as we'll give you the training you need.
Hear more & apply ⬇️
https://prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/
We're proud to support Neurodiversity Celebration Week here at HMP Aylesbury! 🎉
Staff and residents at HMP Castle Huntly held a bake sale to raise money for #RedNoseDay. A selection of delicious cakes, cookies, and fudge were made by one of @prisonlearning's Life Skills students. Their efforts raised almost £70 in just one hour for @comicrelief!
Our staff and prisoners are fundraising for those in Turkey and Syria who've been affected by the earthquakes. We're holding a competition on our field to see which prison wing can run the total distance from HMP Maidstone to where the devastation hit.
➡️ https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hmp-maidstone?newPage=True
This is what greets all who go to the Gym after Prisoners collaborated with artists from @INYBB_ to create murals on HMP The Mount's wings. One man said “I tended to work on my own before. This project showed me how to collaborate and work as a team which I’ve never done before.”
Staff and prisoners at @HMYOISwinfenHall are proud to be participating in the celebrations of neurodiversity week. Below is our display as you walk through the gate. The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project celebrates the intelligence, ability, and talent of every human being.
1 in 3 private sector UK businesses don’t currently employ any ex-offenders, despite 62% struggling to fill roles.
Many prisoners leave prison job-ready with formal qualifications, so our Starting Fresh campaign aims to help employers access this untapped talent pool.
Yesterday we said a huge thank you to Dai Jones as well as wishing him all the best for his exciting new promotion. Dai, who started here at HMP Cardiff in August 1995 will become the new Deputy Governor of Usk/Prescoed- We will miss you!
The man, the legend, Officer Powell retires from @HMPHuntercombe after 30 years of service, of which 27 were at our site. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as staff lined the route to say goodbye & wish him all the very best. We are privileged to say you were one of our own!
HMP Onley residents displayed their generosity and compassion by raising £485.50 in charity donations for those affected by the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. A big thank you to the Chaplaincy Team who facilitated this and the men for their donations⭐️
A positive start to the month with five young people and young adults successfully achieving their Bronze @DofE Award. Over the past six months they have worked hard to upskill and complete their volunteering hours in order to gain this highly regarded award #awardsforall
More remarkable images & reactions from Prisoners working with artists from @INYBB_ to create murals on their wings. “It has made the space more human, more civilised, more beautiful” & “Taking part helped me get to know the other men. I didn’t know their names, but I do now.”
Following this, the Chaplaincy team have delivered services to all prisoners who attend the chapel, encouraging them to do what they can at this sad time. As a result, prisoners have donated £854 through charities working to provide shelter, food, and support to those affected. https://twitter.com/HMPDurham/status/1628000275930685444
At Friday prayers, an Imam at HMP Durham appealed to his congregation to support those who've been affected by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria through prayer and almsgiving. As a result, prisoners prayed together and have also raised £684 in donations to be sent to aid agencies.
Following discussions for a 'Hope Event', the Doggy Day Committee was formed. Staff from different departments planned 'Bring your dog to work' day. Resulting in 30 dogs coming into the establishment on 17th February with an itinerary of engagement with staff and prisoners.
The impact the day had on prisoner and staff well-being was felt throughout the establishment and staff have consistently spoken about the day as 'just smiles everywhere' without a single incident of violence and significantly reduced levels of self-harm.
We held a dog show at lunchtime (judged by a small prisoner committee), hot drinks and baked goods donated by staff encouraging all staff to attend the event, involvement of a local business and a local charity. There was a real 'buzz' around the prison in the weeks prior...
Big thank you to Pam @ Morrisons for the donation to our new Departure Lounge. These products will support women being released into the community
@HMPBuckleyHall's Head of Reducing Reoffending Andy Mielczarski is pleased to announce an online family forum this evening in partnership with @POPSFamilies & supported by our Independent Monitoring Board. Join Andy & others to voice your experience of visits at @HMPBuckleyHall
Sure things can be tough, make no mistake about that, but if you join, you’ll be working alongside some of the best people. Its great to be seeing more of our #HiddeHeroes https://twitter.com/hmpps/status/1628016741723824129
💬“It’s not one size fits all as a prison officer.”
Staff come from a variety of backgrounds in the Prison Service. If you are empathetic & have good self-discipline you can implement these attributes within a prison.
🎥Watch to hear more.
Apply⬇️
https://prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/prison-officer/
Another of our children was granted DofE Release On Temporary Licence and did some map reading on a walk down to the river, where he did some litter picking and fishing 🙂🎣🗺️ @DofE @hmpps
Looking for a new podcast? 🎙️
‘A prison’s guide to…’ from @hmpps and @acast offers up life advice that isn’t from CEOs or celebrities, but from the brave and fascinating staff of the prison service.
Give it a listen ⬇️
https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/a-prisons-guide-to
Some @BunburyHouse staff are doing a 5 mile walk this weekend to raise money for @WhitechapelLiv if you feel like you're able to donate or share please do! Anything will be appreciated! 😁💛
https://www.justgiving.com/team/TeamBunbury?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_transactional_--_team_created_--_team&utm_content=89c47d71-3c50-47e9-a09d-5795ab281c7e&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1674920409371
Despite it being -4C, some of our latest recruits walked from the prison to @altontowers to raise money for @RainbowsHospice, all dressed up as movie characters! Despite walking miles in the wrong direction they made it and raised a huge sum of £683!
February hosts #TimeToTalkDay, its so important to talk about mental health and try to reduce the stigma around this!
#Monthlyfocus
@BunburyHouse
A small conversation around mental health has the power to make a big difference. Our governor encouraged staff to make space in their day to listen and speak to each other about mental health
👇 Check out the VR training session held as part of our recruitment drive, Unlocking Construction, which enabled prisoners to experience the world of construction from the inside.
Equipping prisoners with job opportunities post release helps break the cycle of reoffending. https://twitter.com/MoJGovUK/status/1621501421026791424
How do you build a skyscraper in prison?
As part of @NewFutrsNet's Unlocking Construction event, @NASCscaffolding hosted a VR training session in HMP Wormwood Scrubs, allowing prisoners to experience the world of construction from the inside.
Learn more: https://newfuturesnetwork.gov.uk/
Last week Nathan from @HMPYOI_Hindley handed over a cheque for £360 from @OfficialPSCF as a boost to his fundraising for @embracewandl. Well done Nathan 😊
