As National Fitness Day approaches on 24 September, HMP Feltham is shining a spotlight on the transformative power of sport and physical education within its walls. Far from being just a
gym, the prison’s fitness programmes are helping prisoners rebuild their lives, develop new skills, and ultimately, keep the public safe.
Physical Education Instructors (PEIs) at HMP Feltham play a pivotal role in this work. Through structured programmes in indoor rowing, football, yoga, and more, they encourage prisoners to set goals, build routines, and discover purpose.
Confidence through movement
For CJ White, a master trainer with British Rowing, coaching prisoners is about more than exercise. “Coaching prisoners in indoor rowing helps rebuild confidence,” he explains. “It’s about setting goals and seeing yourself differently.” PEIs celebrate progress, helping prisoners develop self-belief and resilience that extends far beyond the gym.
Discipline and routine
Indoor rowing, White notes, teaches rhythm, focus, and consistency—skills that translate into everyday life. At HMP Feltham, prisoners who demonstrate good behaviour can participate in extended fitness sessions, reinforcing discipline and healthy routines.
Finding purpose
Samy Ali, a PEI at HMP Feltham, sees the shift firsthand. “I’ve seen people go from withdrawn to mentoring others,” he says. “It starts with purpose.” PEIs guide prisoners in fitness, nutrition, teamwork, and personal development, giving them tools for a healthier, more constructive life.
Paths to a rewarding career
HMP Feltham is actively recruiting PEIs across the prison estate. Candidates start as prison officers and, after 12 months, can progress into PEI roles with full training, career development, and Civil Service benefits. The role combines leadership, coaching, and rehabilitation work, partnering with national programmes like British Rowing, parkrun, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Both CJ White and Samy Ali bring personal experience to their work. White credits rowing with keeping him away from a life of crime, while Ali, a former British Army soldier, now manages a local football team and has gained over ten sports qualifications since joining HMP Feltham’s gym team.
Sport with a wider purpose
The partnership between British Rowing and HMPPS has so far trained PEIs in indoor rowing at 21 prisons. By passing on their skills, PEIs help prisoners improve wellbeing, reduce reoffending, and regain confidence, complementing wider initiatives such as parkrun and DofE.
Becoming a PEI is not only a chance to build a career—it’s a chance to make a tangible difference. With competitive salaries, career progression, and the opportunity to transform lives from the inside out, the role offers rewards that go far beyond the gym.
For those ready to lead, inspire, and make a difference, HMP Feltham provides the platform—and the purpose—to do so. Photo by morebyless, Wikimedia commons.