A former soldier who joined the prison service after almost 25 years in the army, is encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.

Mick Jefcoate, 51, joined HMP Stocken in 2020 having previously served in the Army in The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

Veterans who opt into the Government's Great Place to Work scheme and meet the minimum criteria will secure an interview for most vacancies across the Civil Service. Around 500 veterans joined the prison service between the start of 2022 and early 2023 through the scheme.

Mick served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia with NATO and did two tours of Afghanistan. He finished his army career when based at the Kendrew Barracks in Cottesmore, just six miles from HMP Stocken. Mick says there are many transferrable skills that make the transition from the military to prison officer a smooth one, especially communicating and people skills.

Mick said: "I had no plans other than being soldier. The prison service came up when I was looking for a career after the army. I always said it wasn't a job I could do and I wouldn't be interested in it, but when I read into the profiles of the role and saw there were a lot of ex-forces in the job, I decided to apply. And here I am, four years later!

"I took part in a Remembrance Sunday parade in Oakham with my former comrades. It's important to remember and it is nice to get together.

"I find it very emotional and I always toast to absent friends. There's quite a few of my former colleagues in the Rutland area so Armistice Day is something of a reunion."

Mick is encouraging other armed forces leavers to join him at HMP Stocken. Image credit: Chris Kirk.

In his role as a prison officer, Mick is an ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) assessor, so he takes actions to reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm amongst prisoners. He's also a trauma risk management (TRIM) practitioner, meaning he's trained to spot signs of distress in people that may go unnoticed.

Mick added: "As ex-military, we understand the importance of instilling discipline. Generally, people who have been in the forces are okay with sparking up a conversation and are good at getting to know people.

"The team here at HMP Stocken is close-knit and the camaraderie and teamwork helps us to overcome the more challenging days. We shouldn't sugar-coat the challenges of the job but you absolutely can and do change people's lives.

"The advice I would give someone who is thinking of joining the prison service is to be open minded. Prisons are not what you see in the films! The prison service can offer you the work-life balance you are looking for: interesting and busy, with a great comradeship."

Working within prison or probation is not your average job. From putting out cell fires to helping improve the literacy of prisoners, taking the time to listen or rehabilitating some of the hardest-to-reach members of society, the everyday of this job is extraordinary.

No two shifts are the same, and officers have to make on-the-spot decisions to keep themselves and those around them safe.

A good prison officer is able to strike up a natural rapport and act as a positive influence and is willing to support their fellow officers and colleagues. Able to think on their feet, they can keep calm under pressure and make quick & effective decisions.

There is no typical day on the job – and there's also no such thing as a typical prison officer. They come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with, to form one team in the prison service.

With no specific qualifications required to become a prison officer, the most important qualities are being able to communicate and be team players.

HMP Stocken is looking for officers to join Mick and their team. New prison officer recruits start on a salary of £32,902 and full training will be given. Find out more online.