"Ladies!" she called "Can I have your attention please?"

Some of the women started to gather in the hall, but many of them paid no attention.

"Come on guys! Listen up!" Officer McAllister yelled.

The officers rounded up the women until they were all gathered within hearing distance of Helen.

"Right, I have some news for you all. I feel that it is right to inform both officers and inmates of this development at the same time"

The noise amongst the women started to pick up again as they tried to work out what was going on. It wasn’t often that they were kept in the loop, and none of them could recall a time when they had been treated on the same level as the officers.

"I am here to inform you that Principal Officer Fenner has been dismissed from his duties here at Larkhall. I’m telling you this because I believe you have a right to know, and because I don’t want a load of rumours going round the wing"

There was a flurry of activity as everyone reacted to the news. A cheer went up from the majority of the inmates who began celebrating. They didn’t care about any details, all they cared about was the fact that their most hated jailer was gone. Even most of the officers were having to repress their pleasure at Fenner’s departure. However, not everyone was overjoyed at the news.

"What? What the fuck are you on about?" Shell Dockley yelled from her position up on a balcony.

"This is ludicrous. Jim’s the best officer in this place!" Officer Hollamby exclaimed.

There a few cries of ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’ from amongst the inmates, and Helen decided that she could inform them of elements of the circumstances in which Jim was dismissed.

"If you’d listen to me for one more moment please!" she called, causing the wing to fall silent once again "Officer Fenner has been dismissed following an investigation into the improper treatment of inmates. I want you all to know that I put your safety at the forefront of my agenda and will continue to do so"

Helen was met by a round of applause and a few cheers from the women. Even Nikki couldn’t have anticipated how popular the announcement would be. The Wing Governor smiled to herself as she made her way back to her office. Things were on the up.