Remember the play One Man, Two Guvnors starring James Cordon? Well, Sheppey can boast something similar. Because of the number of prisons, it can claim to be One Island, Three Governors.

We met with the leaders running the island's jails to hear first-hand what it’s like to be in charge of a prison on the Isle of Sheppey.

Dawn Mauldon, 57, is governor at HMP Elmley which houses men on remand while waiting court appearances. Before that, she was boss of the open prison HMP Standford Hill.

She said: "I’m so proud to be a female governor. When I became a prison officer at 21 years old, there were very few women in the service.

"Over the past 35 years that has changed and there are now many more women working at all levels.

"Despite what you often see in the media, you don’t need to be macho to do this job. As long as you are resilient, remain calm under pressure and have people skills you can succeed."

She added: "I grew up on Sheppey and went to school on the island. The prison and our staff have strong links to the local community but we also have staff travelling to work here from all over Kent including Thanet and Medway.

"We actively support Spurgeons, a charity which helps the children of our prisoners, with their fundraising."

She said: "People often think working in a prison is just about locking and unlocking doors but it is so much more than that.

"Prison officers are everything from teachers and counsellors to first-aiders and job advisors. It’s really varied. I am so proud that everything my officers do helps to resettle prisoners into stable, crime-free lives. Every day is different and a new challenge."

The government recently announced that, subject to planning permission, the prison will expand with more than 240 prison places.

She said: "Investing in our prison and our staff is so important. We want staff to know they are valued and hope they will have a long career in the prison service, just like me."

Gary Price is governor at HMP Standford Hill, an open prison helping men prepare for life on the outside through work and training. He was previously deputy governor.

He said: "When I joined the prison service 17 years ago as an officer, it was the rehabilitative side of the work that I found most interesting. That’s why I love being governor at HMP Standford Hill.

"It’s the only open prison on Sheppey. This means our prisoners are nearing the end of their sentences, having served anything from a few months to decades in prison. A key part of our job is to ensure they are ready for a fresh start on the outside."

After extensive risk assessment, the men are given the opportunity to start making a few more decisions about their own lives to help prepare for release.

Gary explained: "They have keys to their own rooms, can choose when they have their meals and have the opportunity to work outside the prison walls.

"We have partnerships with local businesses, including Recruit for Group, so the men can get the right experience.

"Having a steady job is life-changing for offenders, helping to reduce the annual £18bn cost of reoffending."

He added: "It's not just employment that’s important. Our staff also help the men to maintain and rebuild strong relationships with their loved ones via family visiting days and parenting courses run in conjunction with the children’s charity Spurgeons.

"We also help them to engage with education through a partnership with East Kent College."

He admitted: "This is a difficult but rewarding job and having the right team is vital. That’s why we’re always looking for new staff who want to make a real difference to prisoners lives, all while helping to keep the people of Kent safe."

Mark Icke, 46, is governor at HMP Swaleside, a high security prison where many of the men are serving long sentences.

He said: "I started off as a prison officer 23 years ago at HMP Rochester. I will never forget the first time I walked in. I was expecting it to look tired and dirty but, in fact, it was very light and clean. It really surprised me as it was completely at odds with what I’d seen on TV.

"Now I’m governor, I spend less time on the wings. Some days I’m using my accounting skills to work on a budget while other days I’m looking at new ways to support my staff with training and development.

"It can be challenging but I love it. It’s the team here which makes it all worthwhile."

He went on: "Working in a prison means you can be faced with difficult situations so it certainly isn’t the career for everyone. But there is lots of opportunity, whether you want to progress as a manager or specialise in working with vulnerable prisoners, become a dog-handler or train as a physical education instructor."

He added: "The pandemic has meant we’ve had to be adaptable in coming up with innovative ways to keep the prison running. I’ve been so impressed by how staff have continued to ensure safety standards remain high, while also helping prisoners on their path to resettlement.

"Working alongside the men and women who make up our team is a real privilege and I love celebrating their successes.

"Recently, two of our catering staff received a High Sheriff of Kent award and the wider team has done great work supporting prisoners with visual impairment and low literacy levels.

"I’d encourage anyone who is thinking of a new career to consider the prison service. We’d love you to join us."

Applications for prison officers at HMP Elmley, HMP Standford Hill and HMP Swaleside are open now here. Pay starts at £29,427 for a 39-hour week and comes with a Civil Service pension and "generous" annual leave allowance.