The fact there's no interview for that job is massively crazy and screams desperation. I can't believe they passed that woman who was almost laughing when being assessed.

Um, I'm sorry, if you get highly upset by abusive language, probably being a prison guard is about the LAST career choice you should make. Good Lord.

Served for 34 years in all ranks and appointed to Governor grade for the last 9 years. Applied to join August 1962 and had to pass the Civil Service entrance exam, a full medical and several interviews before training starting at the Prison Service Training School. Had a 6 month and 12 months probation report and interview. Officers could (and regularly were) dismissed at any time during training and probation. I have a family member still in the Service and he is disgusted with both the selection, training and standard of the current recruits. I have been retired for 25 years and am proud to have served but feel sad at the way the Service has gone.

Prison officer: So what kind of skills do you need to join the prison service? Guy: Well i'am an... ethnic minority. Prison officer: When can you start?

I was a Prison Officer for nearly 30 years. I've seen a lot of changes, and a lot of things, people would only see in nightmares. The average life expectancy of a Prison Officer following retirement, is 18 months to 2 years. If that is the case, I have about 3 weeks to live. 😂 If anyone has watched this, and still think they could do this job, don't. If you have a family, are an easy going, laid back person, don't. The Prison Service will, change you as a person. I have, in 30 years, been involved in some horrific incidents, seen many dead bodies, of which, some have used the most horrendous ways imaginable, in which to kill themselves. I now suffer with severe PTSD, and find it difficult to trust, even my closest friends. Contrary to popular misconceptions, Prison Officers do have compassion and heart, and are not all bullies, who think the uniform is a Superman suit. There are many documentaries out there, but nothing, nothing will ever prepare you, for this job. If you value your sanity, stay well away.

If I were doing this job, and the short woman was supposed to have my back, I'd quit.

A prison officer once told me that the biggest problem he faced in the service is the small minority of staff that shouldn’t be in the job. After watching this I now understand what he means.

The title deceived me I was under the illusion this was gonna look into the prison

The older woman, who is not fit to be a prison officer, is of course the one that files charges of bullying against another trainee.

"Prison is not a fashion show" No one could ever portray it better

What's not being clearly stated here is that correctional officers who "can't cut it" are a danger to both themselves and their fellow employees. Diversity should never trump genuine fitness for the job.

I also served 30 years in this job working at various jails.I learnt not to over analyse incidents and left my work behind at the gate.Mostly I enjoyed my job,good colleges and job security,had about 30 days sick in the whole of my service,never assaulted and don’t regret joining,no ptsd and happy memories.

2 sizes: it fits or it doesnt 😂

Pure insanity. That older lady would be far better suited to being a school dinner lady. The kid's would get on well with her.

The woman filing charges for bullying is on a personal crusade for attention, she came across completely snobby and there's no way I would like to have someone so deluded working beside me in a dangerous job

Tbh, people with a criminal record would make good officers. They know what's going on, and given a chance to change their life. They would work damn hard!

Love the comment "this is not a fashion show, it comes in two sizes"

The guy at 0.50 who says "we gotta make prison officers outta this lot, thats whats scary" I laughed so hard & reminded multiple times.

I love the short haired blonde co.. she was gr8 acting as a prisoner lol “Ur holding every1 up..” “I’m doing 20 yrs u think igaf” 😂😂

Anyone in government should listen to everything the male trainer has to say. He speaks from experience and comes across as an articulate and reasonable man.

That female trainee is far too sensitive for this job! Offended by cursing, crying over a remark made by her teammate... She needs to go work at a kindergarten.

This is insanity, if someone can't take some feedback from other staff on their shortcomings in training, then how are they going to cope dealing with prisoners who will be taunting, insulting and all sorts of other scams and intimidation tactics?

No interview is absolutely insane.

No interviews for applicants. Dare I say, giving jobs to people based solely on their ethnicity & not on their skills, aptitude, & attitude, is disastrous

That lady was not cut out for this job. Nothing against her character, she seems sweet and nice but some people aren't just cut out for it. Some people just don't have a thick skin.

And thank you very much for the documentary Real Stories! Great One!

lmao "Cannabis has a very distinctive smell. It smells like sweaty socks" if ur weed smells like sweaty socks you got a problem

This was made in 2004 - 16 years ago. I'd like to see what the officers are doing now.

Can't stand ''abusive language ''?? What are you doing working in a prison ?? It's not a fucking church !!

This was a really interesting watch. Not sure I could do that. I would be constantly paranoid surrounded by that many dangerous criminals. Kudos to the staff that carrry out this job keeping everyone safe!

"Oh no they're bullying me" Just pathetic, people like that are not fit to be prison guards

I worked in prisons as a nurse, we had to go through extensive training too - including C&R, I still remember my first class of my first day "what to do in a hostage situation", so yeah, we got chucked in at the deep end!

6:31 " Ian Huntley, Ronnie Biggs, Jeffrey Archer & Abu Hamza"..😅. Bet Archer loved being in that sentence..

As dangerous as these men are, hearing the man speak at his hearing about the broken TV and watching the guards handle the men on the yard, it reminds me of dealing with small kids. It seems almost like a high security, extremely dangerous preschool.

I did ten years as a Prison officer and I just caught the end of the old school method. The standard of people they’re recruiting now is an utter embarrassment. The turnover of staff is astronomical, proof in itself that the recruitment focus on ethnics and women is a disaster.

>Prisons short on staff >Sack people for offensive jokes Hmmmmm

Swearing in prison .... NO WAY

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn’t always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned, but overbearing, regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teenagers suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they had themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer paracetamol, sun lotion or plaster to a pupil, but could not inform the parents when a pupil became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home, but the burglar could sue you for assault because you protected yourself and your own. Common Sense finally passed away after a 7-year-old child was suspended from school for chewing a Pop Tart into the shape of a gun. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I’m A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized that he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

By watching this documentary I felt that it isn't them guarding prisoners, it's the few prisoners guarding them from violent prisoners

“The Quran says “the employer comes first” “. LMFAO wtf did this guy just make up?

Norman Stanley fletcher would be laughing doing porridge here

I worked in HMP Brixton with that young black female officer, she did not last long, was under investigation as she knew quite a few inmates, turns out she was recruited by some kind of gang to infiltrate the prison system, from the first day I met her in Induction and she was talking to a fellow officer in earshot of prisoners that she was about to have breast augmentation and that her father was paying for it I knew she would not last long, the African officer is a lovely guy still working at HMP Brixton, so glad to have got out of the prison service after 11 years in 2015!

Diversity is great. But when it's prioritized over qualification and suitability, we have a problem. The older lady who started by saying she wasn't happy with non-elasticated waistbands and is hugely offended by abusive language for, she for instance is NOT qualified nor suitable. How she got so far through the process is frightening.

Worked as a Prisoner Custody Officer (15 years )for a private company, awful pay, awful conditions, awful job. It definitely changes your outlook on life. I would advise to avoid any job involving prisoners. Just a lot of aggro, it makes you tougher, but it’s a very negative and toxic atmosphere to work in. Just avoid at all costs.

a prison officer should be really well trained. 9 week training is an outrage. Give them a chance. Inmates can be some of the most challenging people in society today.

This country & it's criminal justice system is a joke. Absolute embarrasment.

This is like the prison version of 'On the Buses'.... 😂

''Not happy with the unregulated waist and the colour''. The blond ladies' face and comments were absolutely hilarious!

I CANNOT BELIEVE that they passed that woman and let her become a prison guard! Haha

Who the hell is still robbing trains in the millennium???

Two sizes it fits or it doesn’t! Sounds like my wardrobe!

Lady in Tan outfit seams a bit high maintenance and in the wrong field of work. Doesn't like bad language out of all place in a prison... LOL bless her heart. She is out of her element for sure.

I worked in Belmarsh between 1990 and 1995 as a Senior Officer, I was there when it was a building site and when we got our first prisoners from Brixton, eventually it had 840 inmates and a staffing of 650 Prison Officers, however when you put in shift systems, and take out leave , training, and sick leave staffing levels are always tight, now it appearss they have reduced staffing to 450 and upped the inmates to 1000 , very sensible especially as most of the staff haven`t a clue.

"This is Mr Savage" first potential officer through the door is the middle age woman beaming a smile to him like he's the local shopkeeper. I'm thinking, omg? Also she's not even tall enough to reach the viewing window???

Well done. Wish the new recruits a safe and rewarding career.

"I said shut up!" "Shut me up then." i think i just lost five years of my lifespan

would be nice to see a follow up! Great doc thanks

Many seem to fail to realise that going to prison is meant to be the punishment. One is *NOT* meant to actually be punished whilst inside, unless they have done something wrong whilst inside.

Apparently, the woman who went to work at a prison who didn't like swearing left the prison service to become a chef, despite being petrified of food.

A prisoner DID escape about 20 years ago---he just walked out of the visitors room with the other visitors and solicitors and went home,thats where he was arrested the next day watching Coronation st !!! FACT !

that female trainer, has missed her vocation in life, she should be in Eastenders!!

"There used to be a height restriction in the prison service but that was heightest really" No, it was sensible. There's a reason there are wight categories in boxing

Thanks for the video, REAL STORIES

What happened to graduation based upon merit ? No interviewing. ? This should be first. Massive mistake.

Yeah that older lady is just not suited she gets all giggly whenever she gets nervous and if she does that to the wrong person it won't go well especially if they have nothing to lose already. She's just far too timid, I haven't finished watching yet but if she makes it through training I would be surprised if she stayed long at all.

Enjoyed it !!

"We haven't lowered anything, we just look at things with a new perspective"- 😂😂😳 *buwlshyt*

Diversity? Is this a prison or just a new type of council housing?

This documentary is a brilliant example of how political correctness is doing more harm than good when inflicted on institutions.

I don't think bring a prison officer is for you, if you get easily offended. You get so many individuals in prison, who don't are about religion or where your from. You have to have a strong stomach and no be so easily offended. Fantastic insight into prison life

The days you could smoke in prison with HMP branded lighters and rizlas. Good old days.

The prison service is accused of racism, but yet they go out of their way to provide religious books, religious sermons etc. 90 percent of the time, it's the prisoners who because of political correctness, push it as far as they can. Human rights is not about getting everything you want all the time, it's about the right being treated fairly, adequate living conditions and the right to fair representation in a court of law. It's not about having a soft sentence I.e on holiday

The judge was totally playing up for the cameras.

Thankyou great presentation very informative

Well I enjoyed that as I'm thinking of going into the prison service so an insight into the training was good

I feel that these prison guards need to have some sort of physical and or test not an academic test but something so you can have staff that are fit and capable to handle the criminals. Most staff in jails are not like that maybe even really extensive training programs like what the army/marines do just not to extensive.

Who's here after our man Tommy! 👍 ❤️

You know what I can say about this whole motley crew? They all, from what I saw, displayed the absolute most important quality as a c/o and in life in general, empathy. Bravo and Cheers!

"We haven't lowered anything" lol

“Cannabis smells like sweaty socks” lmfao!!!!

HMP Belmarsh is a Category A jail

I've played Rugby against a prison team.....they play all of their matches at "home"!!...highly sereal experience!!

If this young lady thinks it’s funny, you’re sourly mistaken. Make no mistake, this are prisoners

The Officers do an amazing Job under staffed ive had a few problems in my life the guys are brilliant take care guys

Lol the guy who finds it hard to stop saying please and thank you and said u have to care about the cons to do that job. Perfect guy for the job in my book.

Great documentary.. would love to see one on Wakefield next..

Man, I felt so bad watching the older lady doing the training....but then I felt cringe when she accused the other trainee of bullying...I have 10 minutes left, let's see if she passes

What was Jiha Korea expecting. She seems so naive. This is the prison service for goodness sake. Unreal!

I would love to see a "where are they now" done on the people in this video. I'm sure much has changed in the 15 plus years that went by since the filming.

Interesting, and, this is titled: 'Inside Britain's Toughest Prison'.. Except.. It's about officer recruitment+training. Perhaps a new title is due. Thx 4 all the great content!

some one who spent a few years inside i thought jaya was never going to stand a chance but she is soready for jail and u need every sort of personality as u come across all sorts of diffrent people well done love

Great video, really interesting, honest and frank. Very insightful to hear views from both sides, only thing to ruin it was one moment, dealing with a very serious, dramatic situation and then the next, there's a flowery, light-hearted advert, and the problem is the adverts are every four or five minutes.

Back in the old days of the 80s and 90s prison officers stuck together and watched each other’s back on shifts to be a good prison officer your best chance if your ex army forces ect , you need to be able to look after yourself in a violent situation, I’ve met some real nice prison officers from my 26 years in prison I’ve heard belmarsh is a tough place ,

the fact that those guys might be backing me up has def put me off this job for life lol

10:56 marjory doors🤣"sorry say that again!" dust anybody no? Dust anybody no? Dust! 🤣🤣🤣

the trainers love themselves don't they

OOOhhhhh. Is that where that Little Britain sketch comes from?! 10:46

I did training for a mental health hospital and honestly it’s so similar to this.

Great documentary 👍🏻

Some prisons should be run like oldschool boot camps ,especially the young offenders