A RECRUITMENT drive is taking place for staff at Wrexham's prison and those who feel they have what it takes are invited to apply.

HMP Berwyn has a number of prison officer vacancies which need to be filled and Governor Russ Trent, says it could be an "amazing opportunity" for the right people.

Mr Trent began his own career in the criminal justice system as a prison officer and has worked in prisons from Dorset, to London and the West Midlands before arriving in Wrexham.

He said: "We are having a recruitment drive at the moment.

"I loved my time as a prison officer and found it very challenging to start with.

"We are looking for officers who believe they have the capacity to make people's lives better and have the desire to do so, and the courage to have challenging conversations, to let people know when they are behaving poorly.

"We want prison officers who understand the importance of teamwork and have the ability to learn their new role quickly and effectively.

"Being a prison officer is a very rewarding job but also hugely challenging, some days are really difficult and others are amazingly good. No two days are the same."

Mr Trent said one of the huge positives of the prison's arrival in Wrexham was the boost to employment and the economy, but also the talent drawn from the area to work there.

He said: "The social-economic benefits are huge.

"We've recruited professionals to deliver health services, education services, facilities management as well as prison officers and managers.

"Berwyn is like a community in itself with all the things you would imagine in a community, but within a prison wall.

"Some of the best people we have got across all areas are the people who have been locally recruited, locally educated at places like Coleg Cambria or Glyndwr University, and who have family ties to the area.

"Prior to the opening of Berwyn (in February 2017) they would have had to move to other areas to fulfil their capacity in the criminal justice system."

Mr Trent said his own experience, starting out as a prison officer, has helped shape the way he runs HMP Berwyn.

He said: "I've been working in a number of prisons for nearly two decades.

"I still learn lessons every day about how to make the prison work better.

"The reason I joined the job in 1998 was because I wanted to help people make better lives for themselves and that is still the reason I do the job now.

"I believe to work in a prison you have a fundamental responsibility to enable social reform and social transformation."

HMP Berwyn is recruiting prison officers who are interested in a career that both protects the public and can help transform lives.

Prison officers provide an incredibly important public service, as essential as the police, the military or the fire service. They help rehabilitate offenders to lead crime-free lives upon release - meaning fewer victims and safer streets.

Officers play a key part in providing a safe prison environment for staff and prisoners alike. In return, they have the satisfaction of a secure job, fantastic training opportunities and a supportive team.

All new prison officers gain a Level 3 diploma after completing 10-weeks of training.

There are various learning and specialisation opportunities available to officers, starting on a salary of £22,396 (based on 39 hour contract). They can go on to train for a role in a prison healthcare unit, or progress to work as dog handlers, personal education instructors or negotiation specialists.

To find out more about the life of a prison officer, visit bit.ly/HMPBerwynJobs