Mike Newman, who is third in command at Magilligan Prison also managed to raise more than £1,000 for the annual appeal.

The jail boss said it was the first time he had ever been on the other side of the bars.

“It was interesting – certainly very different and definitely a taste of my own medicine.”

He said his own staff made sure he got the full treatment and he was also shackled in arm and leg irons for a time.

“I was on bread and water and had little or no privileges and had to earn every privilege I got.”

Did his incarceration give him a new outlook on prison life?

“It did. It was the first time I’d experienced prison life from the other side of the bars and my staff gave me the full prisoner experience.

“I was locked up for 23 out of the 24 hours I spent and even to the fact that I had to clean the cell before they let me leave it.

“I think the staff enjoyed it but the prisoners even more so, as they gave me half an hour’s exercise and while I was in the exercise yard some of the prisoners passing saw me and were yelling support along with some other things you couldn’t print in your newspaper,” he laughed.

“Some of the prisoners also donated money from their own private incomes.”

He said his time in the cells reinforced his determination to stay on the straight and narrow.

“Indeed it has. I think any one else who had that experience would think twice about committing an offence.

“The main thing is we managed to raise more than £1,000 for Children In need and with pledges, including some from the public who phoned in when they saw the News Letter publicity, I’m hopeful that could rise even more.”