The 'hidden heroes' of the Isle of Wight's prison service have been celebrated today (Tuesday).
The governor of HMP Isle of Wight was present as a flag - recognising the efforts of staff - was raised outside Albany House for Hidden Heroes Day.
The country-wide campaign aims to acknowledge the efforts of staff in prisons, IRCs, probation and youth justice services.
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, governor Dougie Graham praised his Island team for their work during what has been a "challenging time".
He said:
"Prison staff and probation staff are often not well recognised for the work they do throughout the community and during the covid pandemic I think it's been important to recognise that work among the work of lots of other people.
"Today is about recognising them as hidden heroes because of the work they do and the extraordinary work they've done during the last seven months really."
As Isle of Wight Radio exclusively reported, symptoms of coronavirus in the prison have been kept to a minimum.
Mr Graham says staff have done "remarkably well", despite understandable anxiety. He said:
"It's been a challenging time for staff. Like everybody we're worried about our families and how it's going to impact upon them. The staff here work in very close proximity to each other. Its often an area which you might expect any kind of infection to potentially go through the prison quite quickly. And so there are additional risks for them and obviously that anxiety will equally be felt by their families when they come into work.
"So I think it has been a challenging time. Challenging for prisoners as well and the staff here are having to manage those concern while running quite a different regime. I have to say they have really stepped up... I couldn't be much more prouder of them. And that comes from all departments as well."
Like most places across the country, the virus has forced the prison - and its staff - to adapt.
A number of innovative new measures have been put in place to protect both inmates and employees. Prisoners now spend the vast majority of time in their cells, apart from an hours exercise or to have meals.
In-cell phones have also been installed - with the usual security measures in place - meaning inmates can phone family members without the assistance of staff.
Visits via video call have also been made possible, to keep the number of visits to the prison down to a minimum.
In implementing the changes, Dougie Graham says staff have been - and continue to be - "absolutely extraordinary".
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