Mr De Carteret had previously worked in the private sector before joining the States civil service workforce in 2002.

He is said to have held 'a number of positions across the States, which has included roles in the Courts and Education' before making the move to Guernsey Prison in 2012. He started training locally then to reach the level of a UK prison operational manager and later progressed to the Senior Operational Managers course to gain Governing Governor’s accreditation.

Nine months ago he was appointed Acting Prison Governor, replacing Dave Matthews in the post.

Mr De Carteret was then officially appointed to the permanent position at the beginning of this month.

Pictured: As well as its well documented services, Guernsey's prison offers a number of educational facilities including the CLIP workshop, run by a charity, but on prison grounds which Mr De Carteret will now ultimately oversee. 

He said: “I am delighted and honoured to be the new Prison Governor. Obviously my first and overriding priority is ensuring the prison is best placed to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. Away from that I want to focus on the update of the prison healthcare department, improving the facilities and implementing the joint prison and probation operating model.”

Mr De Carteret will now oversee the running of the island's prison - which has a maximum capacity of 134 - on a permanent basis.

The most recently available statistics put the prison population at 93 - that was before the covid-19 pandemic, which has not stopped Guernsey's court systems operating meaning the prison population will have fluctuated since then.

Mr De Carteret has also acknowledged that taking on his new permanent role now, comes with additional pressures like other management roles in our community.

Pictured: Deputy Mary Lowe has political oversight of the prison and will therefore work closely with Mr De Carteret when necessary. 

“I am excited at starting this next chapter of my career as Prison Governor during this uniquely challenging time. I lead a group of dedicated professionals and I am confident that we will be successful in our endeavours.”

Home Affairs Committee President Deputy Mary Lowe welcomed Mr De Carteret's appointment:

“John has already proved how very capable an individual he is and I wish him the very best as he becomes the permanent prison governor at this challenging time.”

Pictured top: John De Carteret is the new permanent prison governor at Les Nicolles.