Prison officers are in a unique position. What they do is more than just a job role, it is a career path, and a challenging one at that. They require specialist training and work with some of the most vulnerable, and in some cases, most dangerous individuals in the UK. It is a position of power, with officers having direct influence on the lives of those in their care. 

There are many concerns around prison officer training, the quality of candidates and corruption with the system - giving prison officers a professional title and registration would not only allow them accountability for attitudes and behaviours, but also give them the rights and respect they deserve. It is time prison officers feel pride in their role once more.

Public provisions such as Local Authorities and hospitals have registered professionals adhering to professional standards and conduct policies, it's time our prisons recognise officers as professionals and support them by offering regular supervision and reflective practice - embedding person centred training and improving development opportunities.

At a time when key working is coming into play across the estates, the quality of officers is even more important than ever before. This professional status would in turn improve the prison environment and rehabilitation for prisoners, and offer protection to prisoners and staff from corruption and poor conduct. In the same way as doctors, nurses, physios, social workers, teachers and counsellors are held to account for their behaviour and actions at work, prison officers breaching expected standards as set out by the regulatory body would lose their registration and therefore their privileged job role.

NB: This petition also suggests governors register as professionals, as although they will have progressed from being an officer they are a separate entity and have a different trade union.