Between them, Eugene Simons, Donald Norford and Gerald Bean have more than 75 years of experience behind the walls of Bermuda prisons.

The trio, all part of the 1989 trainee class, have worked in every facility, including Casemates, during long and distinguished careers.

Over the years the three divisional officers have worked with some of the Island’s most notorious killers and dangerous criminals.

They have learnt to build a rapport and foster respect with inmates, and this month were recognised for each completing 25 years in the service.

“I have always just tried to be fair, and if you are fair these guys know where you are coming from,” said Mr Norford, who joined Corrections at 27 from a job in a bank.

“These guys are humans, it’s not my job to judge them. When I have dealt with inmates one-on-one I have always been surprised by the response.

“One thing I’ve noticed about the recent generation of criminals, especially the gang members, is the lack of a father figure in their life.”

Mr Norford spent five years at the Co-Ed facility after completing his training before moving to Casemates in 1994, a few months before it closed.

“I was really apprehensive moving up to Casemates; it was like a run-down dungeon and there was one inmate everyone talked about,” he said.

“But there was a camaraderie among the officers, and even the inmates to an extent.

“The prisoners were older and they were more respectful for the job we had to do.”

Between 2009 and 2014, at the height of gun crime in Bermuda, Mr Norford was responsible for transporting those charged with shootings to and from court. “It was a very eventful five years,” he said. “I don’t think anyone expected what we saw.”

“We were getting armed escorts to court every day and it was the first time that Corrections officers had to wear bulletproof vests on a daily basis.”

The contribution of Mr Norford, Mr Simons and Mr Bean to the Department of Corrections was recently recognised during a ceremony at Government House.

Mr Simons, who was a baker before becoming a prison officer in 1989, cooked the first meal of peas and rice, barbecue chicken and broccoli when Westgate Correctional Facility opened.

Over the past 26 years he has moved up the ranks and has worked at all four correctional facilities.

“The prison population is much younger now, and you seldom see a Bible in the inmates’ rooms today,” he said.

“I have always enjoyed working with people and I am the kind of person to set myself goals every day. That is why I have found this job very rewarding.

“I’d like to think that my ability to build relationships with inmates and be fair with people has helped me do a good job over the last 26 years.”

Mr Bean was initially posted at Co-Ed for four years before moving to Casemates then Westgate, where he has spent the past 21 years. He is due to retire at the end of the year.

“I try and work with the inmates and instil what is right and what is wrong,” he told The Royal Gazette. “The courts have already punished them, it’s important for us to be empathetic and see where they are coming from.

“You have to test things and see if they work in this job, you cannot just go on logic. I have thoroughly enjoyed my whole time in the service.”