Andrew Cromie hasn’t looked back since embarking on a career with the Prison Service. He shares his career journey with us and recounts how he became a Prison Governor within the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
The post: Governor at Magilligan Prison, Northern Ireland Prison Service
The post holder: Andrew Cromie
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
My first job in prisons was as a Prison Custody Officer where I escorted people in custody to and from prisons from the Courts which gave me a good understanding of what it was like for people in the justice system.
I was then given the opponunity to become a Custody Prison Officer. I jumped at the opportunity and I haven’t looked back. I worked in visits which helps prisoners to keep in contact with their families. From there I worked in a residential area which dealt with predominantly remand prisoners. After three years as a Custody Prison Officer I was promoted to Senior Officer which meant I was responsible for the staff and people in custody in residential areas.
Recently I applied for the Future Leaders scheme, which is like a Governor Development programme. I managed to get through the selection process and have been promoted to what is known as Governor, Head of Unit.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Business Studies would have been my favourite as that’s where I thought my life was leading me. I was sure that a career in HR was my future until I joined the Prison Service.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I studied Criminology and Sociology at Ulster University. In my third year I applied to work for the Prison Service, however I still managed to complete my degree.
How did you get into your area of work?
I can remember quite clearly when the recruitment advert came on the radio. I decided then that was the challenge I wanted, so I parked up the car and rang the number there and then. Up to that advert I hadn’t really thought about a career in prisons but I knew it was something I could do and a place where I could make a difference.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
I don’t think anyone who knows me would say it was the career path for me, but I always wanted to give something back to the community as I am definitely a people person. Some people search their lives for their niche and mine just came out of the blue. I can honestly say I haven’t looked back.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
You had to have five GCSEs including Maths and English. There was no requirement for any experience and I was 21 years old when I stepped into that uniform. All the knowledge and experience you need is given to you through a nine week training programme and by your colleagues on the landings. It is all a little daunting at first but I really love my job.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
Not that I am aware of, I think the only way to become a Prison Officer is through open recruitment.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
The main skill is being an effective communicator. Being supportive and giving non-judgmental support is also important. I have to engage with people from a range of backgrounds who all have very specific needs. Some of those people can be challenging and others will be vulnerable but if you treat each person as the individual they are, then lives can be changed.
You also have to be compassionate. People in our care have made mistakes and committed criminal offences. But they are in prison as punishment and not for punishment – that is very important to me.
Be patient, those who end up in prison are not always ready to address their issues and fully engage in rehabilitation, but with patience and determination you will help them to better themselves and prepare them for reintegration back into our community.
Resilience would be my final skill that an officer should have. You will have some challenging days, days that you just think what’s the point but that’s when your new family in the Prison Service will help you. The people you work with will pick you up and give you a good instalment of humour that will make even the toughest day seem manageable.
What does a typical day entail?
One of the great things is that no two days are the same. At the start of each day an officer would report to the assigned work area and receive their detail from the senior officer. The first and most important duty is to make sure people are unlocked on time and know what appointments or work are in their diary for that day. The officer is also responsible for maintaining the security of their area and for engaging with the people on the landings – building those relationships is a key part of rehabilitation.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best part is the staff and I have made lifelong friends. As for challenging, that’s a tricky one. I guess you could say it’s challenging when you invest time into an individual and it doesn’t go the way you planned, but now I have learnt that you alone can’t make an individual change, you can only guide them and it’s ultimately their decision. I believe a Prison Officer must never give up on people. We must believe anyone can change and I have seen people in our care transform their lives.
Why is what you do important?
It is the aim of the Prison Service to play a vital part in building a safer community. We do so by supporting and challenging the people in our care to change. It allows individuals a second chance in life.
No one is beyond help and as a service we work, along with our partner organisations, with each and every one as an individual to reduce their risk of re-offending after they are released.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
I would tell them to go for it. It is a great place to work, so if you like a challenge and want to make a real difference to the people in custody and the wider community, then give it a go.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I guess I would have liked to have been a teacher or I would have travelled more, I was definitely bitten by the travel bug.
If you could go back, what is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Be yourself, don’t try to be anyone else and listen to your peers.
Describe your ideal day off?
My ideal day off would be disconnecting from the world, packing a rucksack and heading off with my Labrador and just walking until I clear my head. I also love spending time with family, as I don’t get as much time with them as I would like.
View all available jobs within the Northern Ireland Prison Service
Still searching for your next career move?