Have worked inside prisons for many years and worked for the prison service itself for a while, they have the stricktest security measures for any where in the country.
They are directly governed by the home office, even if they ask a few basic questions they will do their homework on you that's for sure. They can turn you down & give no reason.
It's not unusual for them to check your family and friends as well. - If you were asked a just a few questions then you got off lightly, but probably will be likley you will be escorted to where you have to work and watched rather than be free to come and go.
Steve
I,ill say they are strict, 3/4 of an hour to get in , through 1 main gate stuck in the middle of 2 gates where they go through the van , remove any thing electrical , ie. laptops, battery chargers memory sticks and yes not allowed your phone, tools they think are not needed, fAgs lighter ,then you are assigned 2 officer they escort you and van through more gates to area that need cleaning.
Then every thing you need for job is taken off van , logged where another officer then lets you in , he is full time on the door, another inside to be with you, Oh and van keys are never with you an officer has them .
So all in all a load of red tape and rules, still I,m not complaining their money for my time messing around.
What I did find interesting though talking to one of the female officers, they are not allowed to call the inmates, "inmates " or cons or any thing else apart from their name or if they are referring to a group of them they must address them as " men "
Geoff