Prisoner Escort Officer

A day in the life of a Prisoner Escort Officer (PEO) starts whenever and wherever a route is scheduled to go out. When we arrive at the base, we are briefed by the Senior Escort Officer (SEO) and get our instructions for the day. We then collect our paperwork, ensuring that it is correct and identifies vital information such as the prisons that we’re due to visit along with our arrival and departure times.

The next task is to carry out vehicle checks, making sure that the vehicle is roadworthy, conducting cell searches and making sure that we have everything needed for the journey. Our routes are planned by the team at the Operational Control Centre (OCC). They make sure that we know where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. Efficiency and punctuality are essential in this job to avoid any delays.

Upon arrival at the first prison, either myself or my colleague will book in at the gate house. The prison staff will then undertake their required checks which may involve searching our vehicle before allowing us entry to their establishment. Once inside the prison, we then go to prisoner reception where we check all paperwork and confirm that the prisoner is fit for transfer. We also check the prisoner’s property, ensuring that it is placed in the appropriate property bag and that all serial numbers are correct. It is then placed in the purpose-built property cupboard inside the vehicle.

Although each prisoner will have already been fully searched by prison staff, we also carry out a further search and then escort them to the vehicle one by one, where they are secured in individual cells.

Our route for the day may require us to visit between two and five different prisons depending on the schedule. Once we have transferred all the prisoners, we return to the base where we ensure that the vehicle is clean, refuelled and fully operational for the next day, before handing in our paperwork to the SEO and confirming our return with the OCC.

Professional, calm and unflappable. This job goes from routine to moments of intense concentration, instant decisions and action in seconds so expect the unexpected at all times. We always have to be observant and aware as well as confident when talking to prisoners too. But the most important thing is to be non-judgmental and treat everyone as you would like to be treated yourself.