head of operations, HMP Five Wells
Rick has had 38 years’ experience working within prisons with a diverse range of prisoners and has served in seven different establishments.
Having joined the Prison service in 1988 as an Officer at Wormwood Scrubs, Rick has seen the basic services for prisoners progress over the years and many of these are mandatory requirements today. These changes have improved living and working conditions for both staff and prisoners, and improved safety within our jails, including the introduction of in-cell showers and general sanitation to replace ‘slopping out’, the introduction of the Cell Bell call system, prisoners being able to wear their own clothes as well as allowing TVs and kettles in prisoners’ cells.
The introduction of the digital OASys Sentence Planning process that provides a multi-agency planning tool as assisted in effectively managing and supporting prisoners’ resettlement and reintegration into society. The introduction of ACCT documents has helped to support prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm. The introduction of a Control and Restraint training package has provided staff with the skills and competence to manage violence within prisons, in addition to the introduction of CCTV, Body Worn Cameras and the list goes on…
These considerable systems of change have allowed Rick the opportunity to grow and develop as a person since joining the service as a young 24 yr old man to now as a ‘not so young man’!
Rick’s personal ethos is one of developing positive relationships, built on ‘mutual respect’.