Michael Spurr joined the Prison Service as an Officer back in 1983, governed Aylesbury, Wayland, and Norwich,
before becoming an Area Manager, and served as Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service from 2010 to 2019.
Prison Officers deal, on a daily basis, with some of the most
challenging, dangerous and vulnerable people in society.
They have a duty to treat prisoners with humanity, enforce
legitimate authority fairly and consistently, and provide
guidance and practical help to motivate and support them
to reform. It’s a complex role requiring a ‘level head’,
strong people skills and resilience.
Prison Officers at their best are unseen heroes – I have
been humbled time and again by officers demonstrating
remarkable levels of professionalism, care and dedication
working behind bars.