The first thing I do when getting in is pick up my gear. Your belt is pretty heavy when keys, radio and the (rarely used) baton are in place. We also have body-worn cameras, which can be a great de-escalation tool.

We get together regularly to discuss issues on the wing. Meetings include officers as well as psychologists, nurses and others. I might present a new idea for the wing – our mentors regularly challenge us to trial new ideas and try to improve things that don’t work.

I’m responsible for the people on my wing, so the day starts with unlocking. Greeting them all individually might seem small, but it makes a big difference – and it’s my first chance to get a sense for how everyone is feeling.

Prisoners can access a range of purposeful activities, usually work or education. Sometimes they might need encouragement to stick with it – but it’s really satisfying when someone discovers a skill, or learns how to read and write.

We do regular searches, checking for contraband like drugs and phones – looking to build up a bigger picture from little details. From changing power dynamics between prisoners to new nicknames, this intelligence-gathering is essential to spot problems early and keep everyone safe.

This is free time for the prisoners. It’s a chance for them to relax – and for us to get to know them a bit better. Building effective relationships is critical if we are going to support them to change offending behaviour.

About three times a year I have night shifts. Most of the time it’s quieter than during the day, but if a cell bell rings, I have to be ready to assist a prisoner, no matter how late. On the plus side, a week on nights is always followed by a week of leave which is great if I have an assignment due!