Michelle's Story

I did sociology at university and always knew I wanted to work in a social setting of some kind. In my last year I went to a careers fair - and just so happened to be working on a project about prisons at the time - so I picked up some literature and that's how I found out about the Prison service.

When I joined the service I started off by doing a stint as a Prison Officer at Birmingham Prison, and I think that hands-on experience was invaluable. The insight you get into how Prisoners feel and behave – and how officers think and feel and act – always stays with you and helps inform your opinions, and actions, as you move around the service.

I'm very happy working in the service. I've had every opportunity to do different things, and every encouragement to progress my career. There's a lot on offer here. You're always on the go, whatever role you're in, and there's a real buzz to it – and you're doing something that matters. If you join the service the one thing you can be guaranteed of is you'll never be bored.