7 April 2025, 09:19

By Ed Cornmell

When I started working in prisons aged 23, I could never have imagined where it would take me - or how much the criminal justice system would evolve.

Not many people get to see behind prison walls, but I felt drawn to serve, to lead, and to make a difference. That sense of purpose has never left me.

Through a graduate leadership scheme, I progressed quickly - from prison officer to team leader to governor. I aspired to run a prison, but I could never have imagined I’d later be responsible for the entire youth custody estate or leading prisons through a global pandemic.

Today, we face significant and complex challenges - from new technology such as drones and new synthetic drugs to the sheer pressure on the system from the size of the prison population. But one thing remains........

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