Metropolitan Remand Centre prison officer Lucille Sacco on what it’s like working in a prison

SHE gave up her corporate job for a male maximum security prison. As the Victorian government looks for 750 new prison officers, here’s what it’s really like on the inside.

BIG. Burly. Covered in tattoos.

At just five foot four with short blonde hair, Lucille Sacco doesn’t exactly fit the stereotype of a typical screw.

The former executive assistant works at Victoria’s Metropolitan Remand Centre (MRC), a maximum-security prison home to more than 700 offenders awaiting sentences, that can get “volatile” due to the mindset of the inmates.

“I’m not just talking about physical violence, they can become vulnerable, it’s the not knowing. They’ve been incarcerated and they’re waiting for someone to make decision on their lives. We try and make it as settled and structured as it can be,” Ms Sacco said.

Kate Atkinson plays Vera Bennett, the deputy Corrections officer in prison drama Wentworth.

She’s worked in the prison system for 12 years after becoming bored with her corporate 9-5. It was her daughter, who worked for the Justice Department at the time, who persuaded her to cover up “prison officer” on the job description and look at the skills involved.

“[The main misconception] is that you’re six foot tall, six foot wide, muscle bound and throwing people to the floor every five minutes. I’m not very big, but having said that I do train and keep myself fit. You need to respond to incidents if and when they do happen.

“I may not have the physical strength of someone six foot tall and six foot wide however I bring my strength to the table.”

Ms Sacco said being a prison officer is no longer about being the toughest guy in the room.

It’s more people like Ms Sacco the Victorian Government is hunting for. Corrections Minster Edward O’Donohue announced last night the state is about to embark on its largest expansion of the jail system ever, hiring 750 new prison and community corrections officers in the next year.

For Ms Sacco, a typical day on the job involves arriving at 7:30am to check prisoners’ cells for drug-related or dangerous contraband and supervising as they head off for the day’s activities.

“People that aren’t happy to be here can make others’ lives quite difficult as a result … It’s like on public transport you wouldn’t bounce yourself down on a seat on a train, you’re checking there’s nothing that can hurt you,” she said.

The prison contains three factories that inmates spend days working in.

Prisoners often work in factories or kitchens inside the jail — the idea being to keep them engaged and not dwelling on outside life. Officers spend their days observing their behaviour, making sure people are where they should be, receiving new prisoners and dealing with paperwork.

“We try to be a positive role model, that’s the main endeavour. What’s acceptable to these guys when they come in is not acceptable behaviour,” Ms Sacco said.

“It doesn’t always have to be raised voices, that environment. It’s more about a conversation basically. If you’ve got your conversation skills it’s a good place to be.”

Life inside a prison is nothing like the stereotype seen on TV, Ms Sacco said. Pictured, Wentworth Miller in Prison Break.

But isn’t it tough and terrifying to spend your working day among some of Australia’s most hardened criminals?

Ms Sacco said she’s personally not felt fear in the job — partly a product of training but also having a strong enough personality to take it on the chin.

“Having said that, it’s always nice to know your colleague is next to you. It can get a bit hairy, I’m not saying it doesn’t.” The main goal of each day is to make it through safely, and surprisingly, women can have a positive impact in an all-male environment.

“It definitely lowers the testosterone levels,” she said.

“If I step up he’s got nothing to prove if he has a go at me. They usually drop their voice, drop their arms. It’s not good to be aggressive towards a female … it does tend to calm things down. A female presence in a male jail is really a positive thing.”

Supervising activities and making sure everyone is where they should be is a large part of the job. Pictured, Shawshank Redemption.

The guards aren’t armed except for a “wit and sharp tongue”. New recruits are trained extensively and warned about keeping boundaries with inmates.

Acting staff development manager Kelly Bodsworth said it’s important to build a rapport but not at the expense of safety or security.

“We wouldn’t give away where we live, information about our children … that’s like most workplaces. We keep our private lives private, that’s for the mental wellness of an officer. It would be unhealthy for them and unhealthy for us,” she said.

Bad news Hot Mugshot Guy fans, relationships with inmates are a no-go.

Ms Bodsworth likened the environment to a boarding school where staff spend time watching and observing — albeit with regular sweeps for dangerous objects and a risk assessment for every situation.

“That’s second nature to everyone when they walk in. They will be looking at where they’re positioned, who they’re with, what items they could have on them.”

Ultimately, Ms Sacco said the most important skill is communication and she’s never felt too scared to turn up to work.

“I love the people I work with. I love that I do feel safe and secure and that everyday can be a little bit different. You come in hoping everyone will have another good day. You take each day as it comes.”

Originally published as Metropolitan Remand Centre prison officer Lucille Sacco on what it’s like working in a prison