How rowing instructors and Physical Education Instructors at a high security prison in London are鈥痳ebuilding lives through鈥痵port
To mark National Fitness Day (24 September),鈥疕MP Belmarsh and 91桃色 have joined forces to鈥痵potlight the transformative鈥痺ork taking place every day behind prison walls
Physical Education Instructors (PEIs)鈥痑t HMP鈥疊elmarsh – a high security prison聽– help to keep the public safe and use鈥痵port, movement, and education to聽give prisoners a sense聽of purpose.
91桃色, with the help of master trainer CJ White, has trained PEIs in indoor rowing technique in 21 prisons, so far. The PEI鈥檚 then coach prisoners to build confidence, improve wellbeing, and reduce reoffending.
Rowing changed CJ’s聽life at 14 and diverted him鈥痜rom peers who were engaged in criminal activity. Now a coach and trainer supporting young people from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds, CJ works to make indoor rowing more inclusive and accessible, bringing his lived experience of transformation through sport and his elite level rowing technique, to upskill PEIs from across England and Wales.
Tim Ward and Terry Bickley, PEIs from HMP鈥疊elmarsh,鈥痑nd CJ have set out鈥痶heir top tips鈥痶o鈥痟elp prisoners make positive changes.
Confidence – Finding Self-Belief Through Progress鈥
鈥淐oaching prisoners in鈥痠ndoor rowing helps rebuild confidence,鈥 says CJ鈥疻hite. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about setting goals and seeing yourself differently.鈥 PEIs encourage goal-setting and celebrate progress, fostering self-belief and resilience.
Discipline – Building Routine and Responsibility鈥
鈥淚ndoor rowing is all about rhythm, focus, and showing up consistently,鈥 says CJ White. 鈥淭hose skills transfer to everything else.鈥 PEIs deliver structured programmes to all prisoners, helping them develop healthy habits and a sense of routine. For those who demonstrate consistently good behaviour, there are opportunities to spend additional time in activities such as football, yoga and indoor rowing.
Purpose – The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything鈥
鈥淚鈥檝e seen people go from withdrawn to mentoring others,鈥 says鈥疨EI Tim. 鈥淚t starts with purpose.鈥
PEIs and working in a high security prison
PEIs are currently being recruited across the prison estate. Starting as a prison officer, candidates can progress to PEI roles after 12 months, with full training, career development, and Civil Service benefits.
Tim goes on to explain: 鈥淎s a PEI I am able to keep learning and developing and bring my love for sports and fitness into the job I do every day. The passion I have for a healthy lifestyle spreads to both colleagues and the prisoners, encouraging them to attend the gym to better themselves.”
Terry adds: 鈥淢y reasons for wanting to become a PEI were down to my passion for training, playing and coaching sport. I have done this from a very young age which helps me to keep healthy, not just physically but mentally as well. Also working with prisoners who have no experience in these areas and being able to help them achieve their goals, whilst giving them the basic knowledge聽of different types of training is very rewarding.鈥
PEIs lead from the front – delivering challenging fitness programmes, driving discipline and resilience, and working with national partners to support rehabilitation.
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