At first glance, Danny, Dan and Helen don’t have much in common. Danny spends his days teaching physical education, Dan works with dogs and Helen helps build computers.

Despite their differences, all three play a crucial role in rehabilitating inmates and keeping the public safe at HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey.

Earlier this month, the prison was criticised by inspectors for failing to improve after it was labelled "poor" a year ago.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said "staffing was now at crisis point" and "more is needed to be done to retain staff".

However, there are some who work there who feel it's the best decision they ever made.

Danny, 42, joined the prison service as a support staff member over two decades ago. Before that, he had been making furniture. Since then, he’s risen through the ranks and is now in charge of physical education at Sheppey jail.

He said: "Sport has always been my passion. I used to play a lot of football so I feel very lucky to have turned my hobby into a career.

"I run the gym and oversee any other physical education offerings taking place in the prison such as football matches and organised runs. I’m responsible for nine staff but I still have to do prison officer duties such as patrolling the area, carrying out risk assessments and ensuring offenders follow the rules."

The prison helps pay for the PE staff to get a teaching qualification and go on accredited courses. Danny added: "Ensuring prisoners get access to exercise is crucial. It helps them not only to stay physically healthy but also helps their mental health. It’s a change of scenery and allows them to release stress.

"I’ve seen first-hand the difference it can make to someone’s behaviour. Recently, there was a young man who was facing quite a few issues on the wing and getting into trouble. I gave him a job in the gym and now he’s completely turned his behaviour around. I trust him to perform his duties and that’s given him confidence."

Danny grew up locally but still admits he had no idea what to expect when he joined the prison service. He said: "It was strange working with prisoners who had been serving longer sentences than I’d been alive.

"I took a career break and travelled to America to work with disadvantaged children a few years ago. But I missed the prison. I’d like to stay in this current role for as long as I can.

"No day is ever the same which keeps it interesting, even after all this time. And the team camaraderie is great. It’s not full of the doom and gloom you see on the TV. I’ve lots of plans to improve what we do. We recently organised our first Park Run for the prisoners. It was great to see them out in the fresh air. I’d like to make it a regular event.

"I’m also looking into running a Duke of Edinburgh Award for some of the younger inmates. It can be hard for them to transition from youth custody to an adult prison so I hope it will help them to find their place."

He added: “If anyone is considering a career in the prison service, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s stressful but worth it. You just need to be confident, personable and learn how not to take the job home. People with all different personalities can progress here, there really isn’t a one size fits all.”

Married father-of-one Dan, 39, joined the prison service 13 years ago and now works at HMP Swaleside as a dog handler.

He said: “I left school at 16 and started working as a chef. But I always knew I wanted to eventually end up in the prison service. After 10 years in hospitality, I felt I had the right life experience to join and I’ve never looked back.

"My first role was on a drugs dependency unit on the wings. It was a lot better than I expected. Everything you see on TV and in films makes prisons look so frightening but it wasn’t like that at all.

“Around four years ago I became one of three dog handlers at the prison. We work with the dogs to search the prison and ensure it is safe. It’s quite a unique role; the dogs are my colleagues but they also come home with me at night. They live with me and are part of my family.

"They are a black labrador called Jack and a springer spaniel-cross called Rusty. Jack is what we call a 'passive dog' which searches people including staff and visitors when they enter the establishment.

"Rusty is an 'active dog' which means she searches areas of the prison including the post room, cells and workshops. They are trained quite differently and are experts in what they specialise in."

He said: “Every day is different when you’re working with dogs. They help us achieve so much more than we could without them. But you do have to be really strict with them, too. They love what they do so they’d keep working 24 hours a day if you let them."

He added: “I didn’t have a dog as a child but now I couldn’t imagine life without them. They’re great at helping you switch off from the day. I’ve genuinely always enjoyed working at the prison and have never not wanted to come into work.

"Working with prisoners can be tough, especially when you see young men coming in who are stuck in a pattern of offending. But it is really worthwhile and the staff are great. We’re a real family. If you have a bad day, they are the people who will pick you up and guide you.

"There are also loads of great opportunities. I love being outdoors so have been on some fantastic trips with other staff including doing the Three Peaks challenge, white water rafting and canyoning."

Grandmother-of-six Helen, 62, began her career in the prison service almost 30 years ago in a support staff role. She’s now part of the team setting up a new Employability Hub at HMP Swaleside which aims to ensure prisoners have access to the right skills and experience so they have the best chance of rehabilitation when they leave.

She said: "I started off helping to cover gate duties, visits and correspondence but I knew I was really passionate about the rehabilitative side of the prison.

"I quickly moved into the industries team which helps ensure prisoners get access to training and skills that will help them on the outside.

"In my time, I’ve taught men how to build computers and web pages and also run a production workshop on packaging for a well-known card company. It’s quite varied.

“My latest role is helping to set up the new Employability Hub. It brings together teams from across the prison to ensure men have the best chance of getting a stable job when they leave. We know that’s important for their rehabilitation.

"When every prisoner joins, they come to the hub so we can assess them for the type of support they might need while they’re here, for example, education courses or family support.

"We also help every prisoner for the last six months of their sentence, ensuring they have help to set up bank accounts and look for jobs or housing. My role is the face of the hub. I coordinate every prisoner to ensure they are in the right place at the right time and meeting specialists to get the help they need.

“It’s a really fulfilling role. I love getting to meet people from all walks of life. I’m a qualified counsellor so I find the prisoners really respond to me.

"I talk to them how I would want to be spoken to. Many of them haven’t experienced positive relationships with older people in their lives.

"But the job can also be tough. Some of the men have challenging behaviour and you have to be calm but firm when dealing with them. My friends and family always wonder if it’s hard being a female in a male prison but it’s never bothered me.

“What’s great is that a prison service career is so stable. I managed to juggle it around family life when my children were younger and I was even able to take a six-year career break in Turkey before returning to the prison."

But she added: "It’s not for everyone, though. I think it’s helpful to have some life experience and strong communication skills. You also have to learn to not take the job home with you."

When not at the prison, she enjoys playing World of Warcraft. She admitted: "It helps me relax after a busy day talking to people. I’m due to retire in three years. I’ll miss some elements of the prison but I’m also looking forward to spending more time with my grandkids.”

To find out about more about the jobs at HMP Swaleside, HMP Standford Hill and HMP Elmley by clicking here. Salaries for a prison officer start at £30,880.

Dan added: “There are so many jobs in a prison that the public aren’t aware of so I’d encourage people to take a look. As long as you have the right attitude, a bit of empathy and the ability to talk to people on a human level you will be fine."