This Armed Forces Day HMPPS is celebrating veterans across its services highlighting the vital role they play in rehabilitation and public protection.
Former forces personnel play an important role across the Prison Service, bringing with them the discipline, resilience and communication skills developed during their military careers.
HMP Feltham Prison Officer Francis Narh, 35, is a former Coldstream Guard who served in Afghanistan. He said it was a chance encounter that led him to join the Prison Service:
“What I find most rewarding is making sure people are heard. In my role at the prison, I support veterans coming into custody by sitting down with them, going through paperwork, and making sure the right help is in place. There’s a real level of mutual respect because we’ve both served.”
Craig Perry, 52, from Oxfordshire, served in the British Army for 24 years before joining the Probation Service. During his military career, Craig completed tours of Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Leaving the military can feel daunting because you lose that structure, identity and sense of belonging that comes with service life. When I first joined the Probation Service, I questioned whether I would fit in and whether I would be good enough.
“But the skills you gain in the Armed Forces absolutely transfer into this environment – communication, resilience, self-discipline and the ability to work calmly under pressure. If you can deal with challenging situations in the military, you can succeed in probation too. “
Custodial Manager at HMP Lowdham Grange, Lee‑Ann Taylor, 43, joined the military straight from school, serving for seven years in the army with the Royal Signals. She said:
“After leaving the military, I struggled to find civilian roles that felt rewarding. My husband recommended the Prison Service, and I’ve never looked back.
“Every day in this job is different there’s always something going on, and it’s never mundane. There are real opportunities to learn, develop and progress your career.”
Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Lord Timpson said:
“The skills and values that veterans bring from their time in service are genuinely second to none. Their sense of duty and discipline makes them outstanding colleagues in our prisons and probation service.
“I am proud that so many choose to begin new careers in justice, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the contribution they make in keeping our communities safe.”
The qualities developed through military service – calm leadership, sound judgement, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure – are the same attributes that make veterans exceptional colleagues across the Prison and Probation Service.
