ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some specific factors affecting prison work – in particular, the role of stress and the vulnerability of officers to assault. We explore some of the diversities of role, some international differences, the introduction of female staff into male prisons (no research exists as far as we are aware to date on the deployment of male officers in female prisons). We end with a return to officers ‘at their best’ and their ‘wishes for the prison’. Our conclusions draw together the experiences we have had with prison staff at many establishments over recent years, and in particular our forays into appreciative inquiry at Wandsworth, Belmarsh, Manchester, Holme House and Risley.
