Governor Jones raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips on hearing Shazza’s name. ‘I see. Yes, we had a lot of trouble with that prisoner last time she was in here, didn’t we?’

‘The pair of them are nothing but trouble, if you ask me,’ said Officer Fox, scowling and folding her arms beneath her voluminous breasts.

‘I didn’t ask you,’ said Governor Jones, her tone measured and firm.

‘Well, I was just saying so you know—’

Governor Jones cut in again. ‘Officer Roberts, would you like to tell me your version of events?’

Her patience with Prison Officer Fox was wearing thin and she wasn’t in the mood for her negative opinions of the prisoners. What she needed was a fair, objective account and it seemed that, yet again, Prison Officer Fox was incapable of giving it.

Governor Jones surveyed her over the rim of her glasses, noticing how she had puffed herself up and her scowl had developed into a grimace. She was obviously affronted that her version of events wasn’t sufficient. The woman was a menace! With her biased point of view, it was no wonder the women called her Sly.

She was just as bad with the other staff. Governor Jones was all too familiar with her sort: the type who would do anyone a bad turn if they thought it would further their own ambitions.

Judy Roberts was a different kettle of fish altogether. Governor Jones had taken to her from the moment she had employed her, six years ago. Fair and honest, with the prisoners’ best interests always at heart, she was just the sort of officer that Governor Jones liked on her staff.

The other officer, Alice, was new to the job and Governor Jones didn’t have much knowledge of her up to now. Nevertheless, she would listen to each officer’s version of events before she decided how to handle the situation.

‘We were across from them when it all started,’ said Prison Officer Roberts. ‘So, the two women were already fighting before we could react. However, listening to what the prisoners had to say, it seems that Bamford deliberately attacked Robinson.’

‘You can’t trust what they have to say,’ Sly cut in. ‘Liars and thieves, the lot of them.’

‘Prison Officer Fox, could you please let officer Roberts finish telling her version of events?’ said the governor, her voice now taking on a sterner tone.

Sly sniffed in response, then puffed up her breasts and shook her shoulders.

‘Robinson retaliated,’ Officer Roberts continued, ‘then Bamford attacked Robinson again, who hit back.’

‘Hit back? She was like a lunatic!’ said Sly.

The governor ignored her and turned to the third officer. ‘Do you agree with Prison Officer Roberts’ version of events?’ she asked.

‘Yes,’ said Alice. ‘That sounds about right.’

‘Very well. Thank you, ladies,’ said Governor Jones, dismissing the officers, who then filed out of her office.