Working in prison is much more than just locking and unlocking cell doors. It's about keeping inmates and the public safe, says Frankie and her brother Jake.

The pair work together at HMP Swaleside, a category B jail looking after more than 1,000 men at Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey.

Engineering instructor Frankie, 26, teaches prisoners metalwork and welding so they have a trade when they seek employment on the outside.

She said: “I used to work in insurance so this was quite a career change.

"My brother had been working at the prison for a while so I knew it would be an interesting place to work. I initially joined in an admin role but was really fascinated by what went on in the workshops. One of the qualified instructors, who has been a welder all his career, offered to train me up so I could get my qualifications and now I teach the prisoners.

“In the workshops, we offer prisoners the opportunity to work and earn money while also getting the experience and skills they need to get a job when they leave. We know getting offenders into stable work helps reduce the chance of them reoffending. At the prison, we have around 25 staff delivering workshops on carpentry, bike and tv repair and recycling waste, too. There’s a real variety.

“Most days I have around 20 men in my workshop. Going to work is seen as a privilege in jail so it’s only the low-risk prisoners who are given the opportunity. They are vetted and searched each day. At the moment, the men are working with metal to produce products needed by prisons across the country. That could be beds, tables, chairs or even fire escape stairs. If they want to, we can help the prisoners work towards their Level 2 NVQ in welding.

“The best bit about my job is when I see my teaching really impact someone’s life. Recently, one of our prisoners got his qualifications and was released. He is now employed and has really turned his life around.

“Of course, there aren’t always good news stories in a prison. Lots of the men we work with are complex and have had difficult lives. You do need to be resilient but I find trying to communicate with prisoners on a human level is what works best.

“People are always quite surprised by my job. I don’t think working in a prison or teaching welding are generally seen as female roles but gender really doesn’t matter. Being a woman has never held me back.

“Working in a prison is daunting at first but you soon get used to it. You have to learn to leave your worries at work.

"I’ve always felt safe because I know there are staff around to support me. The staff are what make this job great. We’re a community. And in the workshop, people come from a range of backgrounds, including some who started off as prison officers on the wings.

"Once you start a career in the prison service, there are lots of opportunities to move around into different roles and progress. There are so many interesting jobs no one outside these walls knows about."

She added: “Friends and family always ask me what it’s like working with my brother. Luckily, we do quite different jobs. He’s mainly based on the wings so we don’t work together closely. But we always end up talking about the job at family events, which can be quite boring for everyone else."

Her brother Jacob, 33, known as Jake, has been in the prison service for seven years and has risen from a support staff role to custodial manager overseeing a team of 15. Before joining, he worked as a factory operator and in door security.

He admitted: “The job was challenging at first. The environment is so different to the outside world. And it’s very loud. It can be a shock. But you soon get used to it and now it’s the norm.

"I’ve worked in a range of areas within the prison but I’m now in charge of one of the most challenging residential wings. The men are complex individuals.

"My team support them with the practicalities of the regime, making sure they’re in the right place at the right time. But we also to provide wider support to help their rehabilitation. One of the most important things is to get them into education or work in the prison like the workshops Frankie works in. It can really help their mental health and give them hope for a good life when they leave prison."

He said: "As a father myself, one of the most difficult parts of the job is seeing young children visiting their parents in prison. It’s why I think it’s so important we try to give prisoners the opportunity to turn their lives around. It feels really good when you see a change in someone’s behaviour because of your support."

He added: “The team is very close-knit. We really help each other. It can be a hard job but there is loads of help on offer if you need it. Now I’m a manager, there’s a lot more responsibility. But I still try to leave the job behind at the end of the day. Having young kids certainly helps as there’s no time to think of anything else."

He said: "Working with my sister is really positive. It’s great knowing I always have someone I can completely rely on when working in a difficult environment. Even though we do quite different roles, we support each other. I helped her out when she first started in terms of the procedures and what to expect. She knows I’m always here if she needs me."

He didn’t leave school with many qualifications but says he is proud he has found a stable career.

"Knowing I’m playing a crucial role in keeping the public safe is important. I feel valued when I know I’m making a difference. I’d encourage anyone considering a career in the prison service to look into it. As long as you have an open mind, you’re personable and can keep a level head, I think you can do well.”

The prison is currently on a recruitment drive after a damning report revealed a crippling shortage of staff.

For details of jobs behind the bars visit here.

Prison officer roles start at £30,880 for a 39-hour week and come with a civil service pension and annual leave allowance.