Today, 29 September 2021, is the second Hidden Heroes Day. An initiative of The Butler Trust it aims be “a National Day of Thanks for our #HiddenHeroes across the UK”. As well as Hidden Heroes Day, there is a dedicated website http://www.hiddenheroes.uk and social media account.
“While most media coverage of the sector focuses on the negative, the @HiddenHeroes_uk Twitter account is used to share positive stories about prisons, IRCs, probation and youth justice services, and the #HiddenHeroes who work in them.”
Why is it that our prisons, IRCs, probation, and youth justice services is apparently full of hidden heroes?
It is one thing calling them heroes, but why are they hidden?
Who has made them hidden and what is keeping them hidden?
Are they hiding and if so what from?
Are they hiding something or from something?
Are they hidden because they don’t want a fuss or hidden because they don’t want people to know?
In this day and age, why is the harsh reality of prisons so well hidden?
How can it be that the average person still knows so little about what is happening behind prison walls?
Direct experience
It has been more than 10 years since I first stepped into a prison. The unfamiliar surroundings can quickly intimidate and unsettle you, and the smell can be nauseating.
Back then, I had to hide my job role. Some of my thoughts on my way to do my monitoring rota at a prison once were: “I need to get petrol for the journey to work, so I had better put my belt and key chain in my bag this morning as I don’t think I am supposed to let anyone see it. No one has said anything, and I haven’t read any rules about it, but I’ve got a feeling that it should stay hidden until I get to the prison car park. That’s the thing about being a prison monitor, there seems to be so many unwritten rules and regulations.”
How many paid staff feel that they too must hide the job they do from others?
I remember visiting a high security prison, for an Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) tour of the prison. We walked together as a small group and headed into a workshop. It was an example of one of those mind-numbingly boring workshops found in nearly every prison where they perform so-called “purposeful activity”.
As we entered escorted by IMB volunteers I was told by a member of staff that within that large room there were two blind spots. In a hushed voice they said:
“We are not responsible for your safety if you walk into a blind spot.”
The problem was that they avoided telling us where the blind spots were, for fear of being overheard.
Is that what is meant by hidden?
Yes, it can be a dangerous for staff but so too for those living inside.
Prisoner-on-staff attacks are counted, and stats reported. And they should be. Prisoner-on-prisoner attacks are also counted, and stats reported and they should be too. But have you ever tried to get stats for staff-on-prisoner attacks?
Along with others, perhaps yourself included, I took the time to review the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons report in August 2021 on HMP Chelmsford. The report said:
“Almost half of the prisoners said they had been victimised by staff, and those with disabilities and mental health problems were significantly more negative.”
How can you call them hidden heroes when reading something like this?
Should that be hidden too?
Can those who do such things really be heroes?
Opinions differ
Whilst preparing this blog, I decided to ask people for their views on Hidden Heroes.
Dita Saliuka told me:
“Prison staff get the good coverage in the media most of the time anyway and the public praise them for ‘doing a difficult job’. It’s more the prisoners that are labelled all sorts whether they committed a horrendous crime or not people just say all sorts just because they are a prisoner. I hate the word ‘hidden heroes’ so much as PPO (Prison and Probation Ombudsman) and Inquest clearly state that most deaths are due to staff failures so how is that a heroic thing? It’s disrespectful to us families that have lost a loved one in prison due to their neglect, failures and staff abuse.”
Phil O’Brien, who has a 40-year career in the Prison system, told me:
“I think it’s an excellent initiative. It quite rightly concentrates on the positives. But sometimes doing the dirty stuff can be equally effective and necessary but can’t be ‘celebrated’ because it’s not as easy to explain, not as attractive or appealing.”
Tough at the top
We have probably all read in the media this past week that there is a new Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab MP, appointed on 15 September in the reshuffle. But did you also see that he has been quite vocal on what he really thinks about prisons.
Mr. Raab has said: “We are not ashamed to say that prisons should be tough, unpleasant and uncomfortable places. That’s the point of them”
Compare that with the official line that Ministry of Justice takes: “We work to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.” And, according to its 4 strategic priorities, “a prison and probation service that reforms offenders”
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about
We are yet to learn the full extent of who is hiding what from whom at Petty France.
Mr. Raab will have to confront a few bastions of power there which prefer things to be properly hidden.
End of the day
#HiddenHeroesDay will come and go. Some people burst with enthusiasm for it, raising lots of money for great causes and all that is, of course, to be commended.
But at the end of the day the fact remains that the enduring problem of the criminal justice system, and daily for frontline workers in particular, is the pervading culture which dictates that everything remains hidden.
If we are to celebrate anything, wouldn’t it be better to celebrate openness rather than that which is hidden?
But within the justice arena so many tragedies stay hidden. Too many lives ruined, too many suicides, too many people suffering with mental health issues. And it is worsening by the day. That is the stark reality. And the reason things are hidden.
The Butler Trust, in creating the initiative, no doubt has the best of intentions.
In celebrating Hidden Heroes Day are we not in fact perpetuating the very problem it is trying to solve?
~ ends ~
The Criminal Justice Blog 
This is a fascinating position to take up on the Butler Trust initiative, Faith. One that I have never really considered previously, even though I agree with much of what you outline in this article.
Suicide rates in prison are too high (Howard League, 2016), mental health deterioration and substance misuse in prison is continuously reported on year on year. Not withstanding the high reoffending rates post custody (PFT, 2021) which inevitably means the CJS places strain on vulnerable individuals, families and communities whilst failing to meet its own standards and expectations.
The interesting question you raise is ‘why are those that work in Probation, Youth Justice and Prison hidden’ and are they really ‘heroes?’
I suppose the answer to these fascinating questions you raise will very much depend on the vantage point you have of the CJS itself. If you are a professional working in this sector, you are likely to feel undervalued and possibly not recognised for the hard work you put in to a difficult job. This is not exclusive to justice organisations, simply ask those that work in the NHS after the pandemic when everyone had finished clapping at their doorsteps. Maybe even the Lorry Drivers would say the same now that we have a shortage of petrol and the media is inevitably discussing how the drivers in that sector have felt undervalued for several decades. Therefore, it could be that the Butler Trust simply wants to recognise the hard work of those working in the CJS, and believes that rewarding individuals for their commitment and showcasing this for positive media shines a light on a difficult job.
On the contrary, if someone has spent time in a prison and finds themselves in the reoffending rates highlighted above, or experienced violence, substance misuse or a mental health challenges whilst in custody, they may well believe that being paid is enough recognition and being called a hero sits a little uncomfortable with them.
Likewise, victims of crime may well believe that professionals within the CJS are too soft on those that enter it (not all it has to be said), whist those with family members in prison who could not spend time with them throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic may believe that the professionals are too harsh.
After having a 15 year career in Youth Justice and knowing a dear friend and mentor win the Butler Trust Lifetime Achievement Award, I understand the thought behind celebrating those that commit their life to the CJS in a positive way.
As a former repeat prisoner within the youth and prison estate prior to my youth justice career, I understand all too well how damaging the justice experience (in particular prison) can be when resettlement does not meet need, or the offer from services upon release fails to rebuild what the prison system has broken.
My final thoughts after this response which has become far longer than intended is that ‘people’ on both sides of the justice fence are often lost in this complex competing dynamic of the CJS. I agree that we should not be hiding anything and if we do, this will contribute to the poor outcomes of the system itself. We should always be as open about challenges of the system and how that impacts on the individuals that both experience it personally, and also those that work in it as we are at celebrating success.
However, in my humble opinion, we must also celebrate those that commit their careers to the CJS and can evidence that they have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of victims, communities and offenders. Maybe, we could stop using the words ‘hidden’, but continue to celebrate the those heroes like my mentor and friend? Let’s try our hardest to not allow good people to get lost, and I mean for everyone, no matter their vantage point of the system. Great blog, Faith. Keep asking those questions!! Always Be Critical….
The problem i see is that with every report, review, statement everyone has a different view, often conflicting leaving the reader somewhat confused. We only have to compare IMB reports and the inspection reports to see that the true picture is often hidden. Who is correct?
In our society appreciation has been lost, respect is often nowhere to be seen. So much is disjointed and those with the loudest voice is not only heard but believed too. Reading around a subject and posting questions is something I enjoy. I want to learn more and understand but my questions are seen as criticism and people block their ears and close their eyes.
Yes I fo challenge, but its not just for the sake of it but to help bring about much needed change.
I appreciate your feedback and hope we can openly discuss and learn from each other again.
Best regards. Faith.