91Èȱ¬

A woman who joined the prison service after leaving college has said she has "grown so much as a person".

Brittany Bent said that while other students at her college were applying to go to university she applied to work at HMP Hewell in Worcestershire.

She is sharing her story as part of a Ministry of Justice recruitment campaign.

The 23-year-old, originally from Lancashire, started work four years ago and said: "It was a big challenge."

Ms Bent was inspired by her college tutor, who was a former prison officer.

She explained: "On my college course I studied different parts of public service, including policing and other custodial environments."

Speaking to her tutor during that time "planted the idea of becoming one myself," she said.

She said: "I have grown so much as a person. At first, my family thought I was so young and I wouldn't last and come home - but I can't be a quitter.

"There's never been a time when I thought I can't do this."

Speaking about her work there, she said: "We are like a family and without them I wouldn't be in the same situation."

Ralph Lubkowski, governor of HMP Hewell, said: "She was only young when she joined us but has already learned so much and is a great influence on her fellow officers and prisoners alike."

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