‘When the school bell goes, it’s fight or flight’ – the PTSD faced by NI’s prison guards

When the school bell goes, it’s fight or flight’ – the PTSD faced by NI’s prison guards

The Impact of Trauma on Everyday Life

When the school bell goes it s – For Rebecca, the simple act of dropping her children off at school has become a source of profound stress. The sound of the bell, she explains, “instinctively plunges me into a state of alarm.” This reaction is eerily similar to the alarm that once echoed through the prison walls where she was attacked as part of her decade-long career as a guard. Now, she lives with complex PTSD, a condition that has reshaped her perception of safety and trust. “I’ll flinch, I’ll sprint. In my job, when that alarm rings, I’m not fleeing from danger—I’m racing toward it. It’s utterly draining,” she says.

“I’ll flinch, I’ll go to run. In my job when that alarm is hit. I’m not running away from the danger, I’m running to the danger. It’s completely exhausting.”

Rebecca, who chose to use a pseudonym, is one of two former prison officers who shared their experiences with BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme. Her colleague, Simon, also known by his first name, described how his time behind bars in Northern Ireland left him haunted by memories of violence and chaos. Together, they painted a picture of a profession where the line between duty and danger often blurs, and where the lack of institutional support has left lasting scars.

Exposure to Violence and Danger

Simon, who medically retired in 2013, began his career in the now-closed Maze prison in 1988. At that time, the Maze was emblematic of the Troubles, a conflict that gripped Northern Ireland for over three decades. The H-block wing, in particular, became infamous for housing paramilitary prisoners during the height of the unrest. “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” Simon admitted. “It was a world of drug-filled cells, violent confrontations, and prisoners who operated like warriors.”

“Before starting the job, Simon said he did ‘not know what I was going into’ but found a career of ‘drug-filled prisons, jail and bays run by terrorists and prisoners.'”

Simon’s trauma extended beyond the prison gates. He recalled being shadowed by dissident republicans in Belfast city centre, a reminder that the dangers he faced were not confined to the walls of the institution. “It was a constant battle. You were always under threat, with no support from the government,” he said. The emotional toll of this environment has left him struggling with triggers, including flashbacks that transport him back to the heat of conflict.

The Department of Justice has countered claims of a hostile work environment, asserting that “the situation is not as dire as some suggest.” In a statement, they emphasized the challenges of prison work but also reiterated their commitment to staff safety and the effectiveness of existing safeguards. “We will always acknowledge the difficulties of the role,” the department said, “but we stand firmly behind our personnel and the systems they rely on.”

Living with the Aftermath

Simon’s experience has left him with a deep sense of disillusionment. “I’ve seen evil in my job,” he said. “It felt like working with the devil face to face.” His current life is marked by anxiety and a fear of the unknown. “I wake up with headaches, and my stomach is in knots every day,” he explained. The psychological burden has strained his personal relationships, even affecting his marriage. “I don’t trust anyone fully. Even my husband is a question mark in my mind,” he said.

Rebecca’s journey has been equally transformative. She described how her work with sex offenders left her in a perpetual state of vigilance. “Reading about the crimes they’ve committed was enough to send me into a spiral,” she said. The constant threat of violence became a norm, and she often questioned whether she had done her job if she wasn’t attacked. “If I didn’t face danger, I’d feel like I’d failed,” she reflected. Her complex PTSD, which manifests in panic attacks, has made her question her own survival. “Sometimes I think I’m dying, and I end up in hospital because of it,” she said.

Prison Overcrowding and Its Effects

In 2025, data from the 2023-24 period revealed that Northern Ireland’s prisons face severe overcrowding, with cell-sharing increasing at Maghaberry jail to manage space shortages. The region’s prison population density stands at 109 inmates per 100,000 residents, a figure that contrasts with Scotland’s 149 and England and Wales’ 140. This high concentration of prisoners has created an environment where stress and tension are almost inevitable, compounding the psychological strain on staff.

Dr. Michael Duffy, director of Queen’s University Belfast’s Research Centre for Stress, Trauma and Related Conditions (STARC), explained how PTSD develops in response to traumatic events. “The condition is triggered by situations that remind individuals of their past experiences, leading to intrusive memories and intense emotional responses,” he said. He highlighted that people often use coping mechanisms like alcohol to suppress these memories, but the effort can be exhausting. “The mind tries to push the trauma away, but it always resurfaces,” he noted.

Both Rebecca and Simon describe how their trauma has seeped into every aspect of life. For Rebecca, the school run is a reminder of the chaos she once endured. For Simon, even mundane moments feel like a return to the frontlines. Their stories underscore the long-term effects of working in environments where violence is a constant companion. “I’m only here because of my grandchildren,” Rebecca said, hinting at the sacrifices she’s made to maintain stability in her life.

Their accounts also reveal a shared sense of isolation. Simon, who once felt confident in his role, now describes his relationships as tenuous. “I don’t have friends as I would call them. I have a few from childhood, but even they feel distant,” he said. Rebecca echoes this sentiment, noting that trust is a rare commodity. “I can’t rely on anyone. Not even my husband,” she admitted. Their experiences highlight how the trauma of the job can fracture personal connections and reshape identities.

Challenges and Resilience

Despite the hardships, both officers remain resilient. They emphasize the importance of their roles in maintaining order, even as they grapple with the mental toll. Simon, reflecting on his time in the Maze, said the prison was a microcosm of the broader conflict. “It was like a war zone, with prisoners on both sides fighting for their causes,” he said. Rebecca, meanwhile, sees her work as a necessary part of society, even if it has cost her peace of mind.

Dr. Duffy added that the pressure to perform in such environments can lead to chronic stress, which, if left unaddressed, exacerbates PTSD symptoms. “The constant fear and exposure to violence leave lasting impressions,” he said. For those in the profession, the battle is not just against criminals but against the invisible weight of trauma that lingers long after the job is done.

As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the psychological impact of their work is as significant as the physical dangers they faced. Their stories are a testament to the human cost of maintaining security in one of the most volatile regions in the UK. The question remains: how much longer can staff endure without adequate support, and what does this mean for the future of prison services in Northern Ireland?