Gareth Cheetham
Wigan,Lancashire
Summary
- Dedicated professional with extensive expertise in Prison operations and inmate rehabilitation. Demonstrates proficiency in drug abuse control measures, suicide prevention strategies, and recidivism reduction. Skilled in law enforcement knowledge, prisons act familiarity, and prison security systems operation. Adept at promoting racial equality and advocating for prisoner welfare while maintaining safety compliance and confidentiality. Proven leadership aptitude with a focus on staff motivation, crisis resolution, and strategic planning. Committed to enhancing community outreach initiatives and improving service quality standards through effective policy implementation and process improvement.
- Seasoned professional with focus on prison administration and leadership. Achieves transformative improvements in inmate rehabilitation and staff performance through strategic planning and strong interpersonal skills. Enhances security measures and operational efficiency by fostering culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Offering strong leadership and conflict resolution skills with background in managing teams in challenging environments. Knowledgeable about staff training, operational oversight, and ensuring safety and security standards. Ready to use and develop communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills in Public facing roles.
- Engaging leader with proven success applying project management techniques to execute plans. Talented at resource management, budget governance and staff development. Evaluates processes critically to identify areas of improvement and implement detailed action plans for positive results.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work history
HM Prison and Probation Service Prison Governor
HMPPS - HMP Wymott
Leyland, Lancashire
02.2014 - 08.2021
- Coordinated emergency response drills; improved preparedness amongst staff during crisis situations.
- Ensured adherence to legal standards for maintaining high standard of operation.
- Led team development initiatives; improved coordination and efficiency among staff.
- Streamlined administrative processes for faster response times.
- Security Incident Management
- Investigations accredited
- Use of Force Management and Monitoring
- Security Intelligence Analysis and Implementation
- Violence Reduction and Self-Harm Management
- Healthcare Provider Liaison and Joint Working
Prison Governor
HMPPS - HMP Preston
Preston, Lancashire
02.2004 - 02.2014
- Allocated budgets to govern sensible decision-making with maximum Return On Investment (ROI).
- Coordinated consistent, high quality provision of Public service.
- Forged partnerships with other service providers to boost signposting capabilities and diversify services.
- Oversaw maintenance of organisation's facilities to guarantee compliance with national regulations.
- Led and inspired team of 230 staff to uphold brand standards and demonstrate professionalism.
- Managed inventory of resources necessary for service provision.
- Identified service gaps, developing plans to strengthen or expand offerings.
- Supervised and evaluated employee performance, providing construction feedback and identifying staff talent.
- Identified training needs and opportunities to provide Continued Professional Development (CPD) for staff.
- Managed daily operations to ensure efficient running of the prison facility.
- Implemented effective risk assessment procedures, minimising potential threats.
Prison Governor
HMPPS North West Area Manager's Office
Chorley, Lancashire
01.2003 - 02.2004
- Streamlined administrative processes for faster response times.
- Facilitated conflict resolution workshops, promoting a more harmonious environment.
- Formulated policy changes that enhanced overall prison management efficiency.
- Ensured adherence to legal standards for maintaining high standard of operation.
- Developed safety protocols for reduced instances of prison violence.
- Enhanced staff morale with regular training and support sessions.
- Promoted transparency with regular communication updates to all stakeholder groups.
- Advocated for prisoners' rights; resulted in more fair and humane treatment.
Prison Officer
HMPPS
London / Leyland, Greater London / Lancashire
03.1992 - 01.2004
- Organised daily routines, achieving smooth running of operations.
- Assisted in the development of inmate educational programmes for improved behaviour modification.
- Responded effectively to emergencies by utilising established protocols.
- Managed conflict situations between inmates, maintaining a harmonious environment.
- Ensured prisoner safety with regular cell checks.
- Assisted in preparation of parole reports for successful offender transition planning.
- Cooperated with multi-disciplinary team members, contributing to effective management strategies.
- Supported inmates with personal issues, assisting their emotional well-being.
- Provided counselling for prisoners to encourage rehabilitation.
- Conducted security checks, enhancing overall prison security.
- Reported any suspicious behaviour to superiors promptly, aiding in threat mitigation.
- Handled administrative tasks efficiently, facilitating streamlined record keeping.
- Handled difficult situations calmly, ensuring minimal disruption within the facility.
- Fostered positive relationships with inmates through consistent communication and respect.
- Maintained order within prison environment by enforcing rules and regulations.
- Improved prisoner attitudes by promoting positive behavioural change programmes.
- Provided first aid treatment when required, ensuring inmate health and wellness.
- Suppressed disturbances whilst adhering to strict safety regulations.
- Stayed calm and poised during heated, difficult or stressful situations, alleviating conflicts.
- Resolved incidents calmly, maintaining best-possible safety and security of prison staff and offenders.
- Established meaningful working relationships to encourage positive approach to rehabilitation and personal development.
- Acted as professional role model to other staff and those within prison care.
- Built respectful but assertive relationships with prisoners, utilising innate negotiation abilities to maintain peace and promote positive environments.
- Kept accurate and timely data in prisoner records and carried out other administrative duties.
- Expertly communicated with people from diverse backgrounds to provide best-possible safe, secure prison care.
- Supported offenders with rehabilitation programmes for positive prisoner outcomes and optimum public safety.
- Performed thorough searches of prisoners and cells to reduce contraband items.
- Performed internal and external escort duties of prisoners with meticulous attention to detail to avoid incidents.
- Maintained comprehensive understanding of all rules, policies and laws that govern Prison Officer practice.
- Supervised prisoners during mealtimes and recreation time to prevent safety issues.
- Encouraged prisoners to participate in work and education programmes.
- Anticipated misconduct and misbehaviour of prisoners to maintain control, discipline and security within correctional centres.
- Identified security and safety issues, immediately notifying supervisors of concerns.
- Understood underlying security issues within designated working areas, successfully managing issues.
- Received, inducted and discharged prisoners following established procedures.
- Managed prisoner grievances and complaints to conclusion or upward referral.
- De-escalated threatening behaviours, using restraint techniques when necessary.
- Observed prisoner conduct to detect suspicious behaviour.
- Searched arriving prisoners for contraband and placing valuables for safekeeping.
- Patrolled prison areas to prevent escapes and unauthorised access for secure premises.
- Recognised signs of bullying and blackmail, taking immediate action to prevent escalation.
- Identified and neutralised security threats in line with official policy.
- Conducted periodic cell inspections to assess prison standards and identify rule breaches.
- Performed spot checks to assess compliance to regulations and provide deterrence.
- Inspected integrity of locks, windows, doors and gates for security purposes.
- Escorted new prisoners to designated cells and locked them in.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences -Politics
Wolverhampton University (formerly Polytechnic)
Wolverhampton 09.1988 - 06.1991
A-Levels - Geology, Geography, General Studies
Winstanley College
Winstanley 09.1985 - 05.1988
'O' Levels - English, French, Maths, Physics, Computer Studies, Geography, Biology,
Park High School, Hindley
Hindley 09.1980 - 06.1985
Skills
- Inmate rehabilitation
- Drug abuse control measures
- Prisons act familiarity
- Law enforcement knowledge
- Interpersonal diplomacy
- Suicide prevention strategies
- Mental resilience
- Disciplinary action execution
- Community outreach initiatives
- Racial equality promotion
- Correctional facility operations understanding
- Threat mitigation
- Investigation conducting
- Inmate supervision techniques
- Leadership aptitude
- Records keeping accuracy
- Operational procedures expertise
- Prison security systems operation
- Prison law knowledge
- Recidivism reduction strategies
- Inmate rehabilitation strategies
- Empathy and understanding
- Prisoner welfare advocacy
- Safety compliance
- Confidentiality maintenance
- Policy implementation
- Staff motivation
- Incident report writing
- First aid training
- Budgeting and financial management
- Staff development
- Crisis resolution
- Initiative taking
- Negotiation tactics
- Service quality standards
- Resilience under pressure
- Communication proficiency
- Time efficiency
- Safety consciousness
- Profession-Specific regulatory knowledge
- Critical evaluation
- Customer Service
- Cultural awareness
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Strategic planning
- Resourcefulness
- Financial reporting
- Project Management
- Quality Assurance
- Process Improvement
- Public relations proficiency
Affiliations
- Rugby League, Motorcycles, Literature and Cinema
Accomplishments
HMPPS Area Manager's commendation in 1998 in respect of response to an act of concerted Indiscipline at HMP Wymott.
Timeline
HM Prison and Probation Service Prison Governor
HMPPS - HMP Wymott
02.2014 - 08.2021
Prison Governor
HMPPS - HMP Preston
02.2004 - 02.2014
Prison Governor
HMPPS North West Area Manager's Office
01.2003 - 02.2004
Prison Officer
HMPPS
03.1992 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences -Politics
Wolverhampton University (formerly Polytechnic)
09.1988 - 06.1991
A-Levels - Geology, Geography, General Studies
Winstanley College
09.1985 - 05.1988
'O' Levels - English, French, Maths, Physics, Computer Studies, Geography, Biology,
Park High School, Hindley
09.1980 - 06.1985