Hi ScrewLoose,
To be allowed access to
http://www.prisonofficer.org.uk/view...php?f=2&t=1404 you first have to fit the required criteria set by the administrators to become a member and if suitable they will then grant you permission it is not an automatic process.
Regarding prison badges it depends how far back you want to start and do you want to collect all makers ? I'm afraid there aren't any books available on the subject to help either.There are a number of contributions on this site regarding various prison badges which should help you .
Besides metal badges there are also cloth,rank,specialist all in both metal and cloth available,what exactly are you hoping to achieve.
Bantam