What does it take to run a prison?
There’s much more to running a prison than might first meet the eye. From security, food and cleaning to nursing, education, maintenance and admin Sodexo delivers the total operation in our five prisons in England and Scotland.
Julie Patrick is head of the facilities management (FM) team at HMP Northumberland, responsible for a team of electricians, plumbers, technicians and other maintenance professionals all of whom work together to help keep the prison operating smoothly and safely.
Here she talks about how moving into a prison environment was ‘the best career move’ she ever made.
Tell us a little about your career before joining Sodexo:
From a young age I’d always wanted to be in the Police but it didn’t pan out that way. I went to college to study hotel management, worked as a head confectioner at a hotel, then was headhunted by Jarvis Accommodation Services, a PFI which built new schools. I stayed with them for 16 years and was involved from the early bidding process right through until the build finish, managing every aspect of the project in between.
What motivated you to come and work in this area?
It was mainly due to the amount of travel. I am really family orientated, and felt I needed to move closer to home, rather than travelling all over the country. So I submitted my CV online for a job here at the prison. Within 20 minutes of applying I received a phone call to attend an interview!
Any regrets? 
No. It was the best career move I have ever made. I never have the ‘Monday Morning Blues’ now.
Can you summarise your role?
I’m in at 6am every morning and use the quieter early morning time to prepare for the day ahead and organise the team’s workload. Every day we react to any overnight disruption and handle all facilities maintenance issues to ensure there is no threat to the fabric of the building or to life.
On a monthly basis this can see us carrying out 1,000 planned maintenance jobs, 800 small repairs and around 200 vandalism repairs. The team also supports the security department with locks, fires and incidents at height. I have five different departments to manage, responsible for 40 Sodexo staff and 50 residents who work alongside us as part of a meaningful work programme.
What are your favourite things about the job?
I really enjoy rolling my sleeves up and getting stuck in. Working with an excellent team is a real pleasure – every one of them is really professional and supportive of each other.
What are your least favourite things about the job?
Nothing really, maybe I get slightly frustrated here and there sometimes. I love my job and am really positive about it. My moto is ‘get up, get at it and get on with it’.
What is your proudest moment?
I’m the only female to manage FM in any of Sodexo’s five prisons, which I am very proud of. And I’ve met and shook hands with the Queen!
Any advice for people who might like to work in a prison?
It’s very challenging and demanding, but your hard work is certainly rewarded. I’d recommend it to anyone. I do think it takes a special kind of person to work in this environment no matter what role, but particularly those with direct contact with residents.
What is your relationship like with the residents?
The team and I work very closely with residents, especially as we have almost as many residents working within the department as staff. I always have time for our residents and always say thank you.
And looking to the future?
My career has recently developed further through hard work, commitment and support from the company. I am now the Regional Head of FM for the custodial estates of our five prisons, I am also an ambassador for women in FM as we continue to be more recognised and successful in the wider FM world, something that Sodexo fully support and encourage.
We offer a range of exciting and rewarding jobs. Please see http://sodexojobs.co.uk/ for our current vacancies in Sodexo Justice.
Do you want to find out more about Sodexo Justice? Contact our Business Development team.