06/09/2026
It’s 5:15am and I’m walking the prison wings…
My hands are just about defrosted as I hold the one super key that unlocks every cell.
This was my life for 365 days.
I was working as a PTI within HMPS, in the prison next door to Belmarsh.
My days started by unlocking enhanced prisoners early so they could train in the gym before starting work as orderlies around the prison.
But no two days were the same.
One day I was calling a code blue because a prisoner had a seizure from spice.
The day before, I was breaking up a fight involving two gang members armed with blades made from melted Bic razors and toothbrushes.
Another day, we had to “kit up” because a prisoner refused to go to court.
Helmet. Gloves. Overalls. Shield.
Three of us entering the cell to restrain and remove a very angry 6ft 4 male.
Sometimes three people wasn’t enough.
That was prison life.
Long days. Constant noise.
“Gov… gov…”
Open my door.
Lock my door.
What time is gym?
Open the laundry.
You never quite knew what you were walking into.
One thing I’m incredibly grateful for?
I was extremely fit.
I played rugby, squatted 215kg, ran sub-20-minute 5Ks and loved competing.
Looking back, I realise how much harder that job would have been without a strong level of fitness.
12–13 hour shifts.
Walking, sprinting, shouting, grappling and standing for hours in steel-toe boots.
Fitness wasn’t about aesthetics.
It helped me cope with the physical demands of my life.
And that’s no different to the people I work with now.
If pain, injury or poor movement stops you doing your job, enjoying your life or staying active, the consequences can be huge.
Health and fitness isn’t something you can buy instantly.
It’s built through conscious effort, consistency and the right strategy.
My days still involve working with people.
Only now, I’m privileged to help people overcome movement limitations, build stronger bodies and improve their quality of life.
So when life places physical demands on them, their body is ready.
Kit up and fight for your health and fitness.
Ex-HMPS PTI
Now Chartered Personal Trainer & Biomechanics Specialist🔥
Harry
