A SELECTION of Wrexham Rugby Club players have had their chance to experience the limelight by featuring in new TV adverts about prison jobs.

The new Ministry of Justice (MoJ) ads aim to attract more talent into the prison service.

The “An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you” campaign was launched in September across TV, radio and online to tackle recruitment and retention by showing the reality of life in prison and probation roles.

Members from the Wrexham Rugby Club took part in filming a scene involving prisoners exercising outside at HMP Berwyn.

Nick Partington, chairman of Wrexham Rugby Club, says: “We decided to take part as we wanted to help the prison service and more specifically, our local prison, HMP Berwyn. The team had a great day and it was fascinating to see the production and effort that goes into making film."

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Mr Partington added: “HMP Berwyn is a big employer in the town. People are always curious about what goes on in prisons, so it was a brilliant opportunity for the club to have the chance to go in and get involved. Hopefully we’ve also played a part in helping them to recruit even more brilliant people to their team.”

Working within prison or probation is not your average job. From putting out cell fires to helping improve the literacy of prisoners, taking the time to listen or rehabilitating some of the hardest-to-reach members of society, the every day of this job is extraordinary.

With no specific qualifications required to become a prison officer, the most important qualities are being able to communicate and be team players.

HMP Berwyn is hiring. New recruits start on a salary of £30,902 and full training will be given. To find out more click here.

Wrexham Rugby Club member, Tom Robinson, is both a keen rugby player but also a production instructor in waste management at HMP Berwyn.

The 29-year-old runs workshops with prisoners on how to dispose of waste alongside running, recycling and refurbishment classes.

The Leader: Wrexham rugby players at HMP Berwyn. PIC: Ministry of Justice.

Tom, who is from Wrexham, said: “Taking part in the filming wasn’t as alien to me as others in the club as I work in the prison. However, I was blown away by the sheer size of the operation and how much time and effort went into the scenes being shot.

“I joined the prison service over five years ago as I wanted a stable job with the possibility for progression, which is something that wasn’t possible in retail. Once I found my feet at HMP Berwyn, I started to embrace the rehabilitative culture rather than just managing the prisoner’s day to day and wanted to help make a difference in their outlook on work and life.”

He adds: “There are a lot of similarities between work and my rugby team such as the camaraderie and working hard to sometimes gain the tiniest bit of ground. But teamwork and having each other’s backs applies in both prison and my rugby team. It really does help knowing I have the backing of my team when things sometimes become difficult.”