Whitemoor prison officer encourages veterans to join him

Mark, 57, has dedicated 27 years to HMP Whitemoor in March, after a decade in the British Army with the Royal Military Police.

His military service saw him in Northern Ireland, Germany, and Belize.

The prison officer said: “I joined the army at 16, following in my father and grandfathers’ footsteps.

"They were dangerous times, especially in Northern Ireland, but the experience was fantastic."

Having considered a career in the police force, Mark chose the prison service, believing it to be a safer option.

Royal British Legion member encourages ex military to join prison service (Image: Submitted) He said: “The best thing about the job is the people you work with – that's your motivation to keep coming back to work, to see that great group of people.

“It’s a great option for people leaving the military.

"There’s still a lot of structure and lots of opportunities for progression.”

Mark plays a vital role as a custodial manager at HMP Whitemoor, overseeing the operational control and CCTV systems, and managing a team of 44 staff.

He is also the chairperson of the March branch of the Royal British Legion and is involved in organising local Remembrance Sunday events and the March Armed Forces Fair.

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In 2023, the March Poppy Appeal raised £36,600, with £700 contributed by HMP Whitemoor staff.

Mark said: “Remembrance is a big, important event in the calendar. It is important to those of us working in the prison, and to the wider community, as there are a lot of ex and serving military people, both here at HMP Whitemoor and living locally. I’m proud to be involved in it. "

“We still see ex-military people coming to work at the prison, and it would be great to see even more.”