A nurse is breaking free from prison as he begins a well-earned retirement.
Charlie Hoggitt, from Erskine, has been treating inmates at Greenock Prison for the past 11 years, rounding off an incredible career caring for people all across the region.
Charlie, who has been a nurse for 54 years, will, his colleagues say, be sorely missed by inmates who found his calm demeanour reassuring.
The 73-year-old said: “These years at the prison have been amongst the happiest of my career.
“Yes, it’s challenging, but I was accepted very early and the prisoners seemed to take to me.
“The officers are great too and you always know they are just outside the door.”
Charlie works for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as healthcare within prisons became an NHS responsibility in 2011.
He said: “I have been very proud to work for the NHS, especially this year.
“I’m also delighted that my son Steven, 23, has followed in my footsteps and is now a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow. That means a lot to me and I know he has a great career in nursing ahead of him.”
Charlie started his training in 1966 and before moving to Greenock Prison, he working in Ailsa Hospital in Ayrshire and also Erskine Hospital, caring for veterans.
Charlie added: “I know the time is right for me to retire, but I will miss all of my colleagues very much.
“I just love them and they treat me so well, honestly.
“I joke and call them my angels – Charlie’s Angels!”
Charlie’s manager is nurse team lead Gordon Hannah.
He said: “Charlie came to prison healthcare later in his career.
“He has been a great asset to the team here.
“He was well liked and respected by his peers and other prison staff.
“Charlie had a very calming manner with our patient group, even the most challenging patient responded well to his manner.
“He was able to de-escalate a situation with a kind word or humour.
“Charlie will be missed by us all, but we wish him well for long, healthy and happy retirement. He deserves it.”
