A GROUP of newly-trained prison officers – including some from Fenland – have started their new jobs after completing a training course at Whitemoor Prison. Fifteen prison officers were presented with their graduation certificates in a ceremony held at th

A GROUP of newly-trained prison officers - including some from Fenland - have started their new jobs after completing a training course at Whitemoor Prison.

Fifteen prison officers were presented with their graduation certificates in a ceremony held at the March prison's training centre on Friday.

They are the first to complete the eight-week course, which was reintroduced after a four-year exile, as the Prison Service looks to recruit more prison officers.

Senior officer and trainer Warren Jarvis said: "We gave them a basic grounding in what they need to do in their new jobs, and they are now going to their allocated prison."

Certificates were presented to the new officers by number one governor for Whitemoor, Steve Rodford. They marked the completion of the course, as well as completion of the Heart Start first aid course and of the control and restraint course.

There was also a certificate for the most improved officer, awarded to Steven Archer.

The 15 graduates are stationed at Whitemoor Prison, Norwich Prison, Highpoint Prison near Newmarket and Wayland Prison near Thetford.

The next crop of trainees start their training later this month, and will complete the course before Christmas.