202510:Prison Officer - HMP Bristol

Overview

This is a prison officer role with the Civil Service and HM Prison & Probation Service. The job involves working with prisoners, building constructive relationships, and supporting colleagues as part of a team to keep the prison and its staff and prisoners safe. The role requires various shifts, including weekends, and may include different daily responsibilities.

Visa and right to work

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas under current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, changes to the Skilled Worker visa route require prior holding of a Skilled Worker visa before the changes for sponsorship consideration. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during vetting checks for eligibility assessment under the transitional provisions. If you have not held a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025, consider options for obtaining or maintaining the right to work in the UK. Successful applicants must have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom. More information about Skilled Worker visas and eligibility criteria can be read here.

Role characteristics

• No typical background required; applicants from all walks of life may apply. Qualities include empathy, communication, resilience and professionalism.
• Teamwork is essential; you will support colleagues and work as one team to maintain safety.

Responsibilities and day-to-day life

• Carry out a variety of duties in a dynamic environment, including acting as peacekeeper, counsellor, or teacher as needed.
• Work directly with prisoners in a unique environment to protect the public and have a positive impact.
• Assess and develop natural strengths and language abilities (numerical, written and spoken English) during the process.
• Participate in online tests and an online assessment centre to evaluate judgement, numerical skills, behaviours and suitability.
• Attend an online assessment centre to test abilities, behaviours and strengths for appointment as a prison officer.

Application and assessment process

• Online tests: Stage 1 assesses basic judgement and numerical skills; Stage 2 is a task-based assessment of behaviours and qualities.
• Online Assessment Centre (OAC) conducts further assessments after successful tests.
• Read more about the application process and the candidate information page linked by the employer.

Merit vacancy and progression

• This is a merit vacancy; successful candidates are placed on a merit list based on assessment scores.
• Offers are made to the highest-scoring applicants when positions become available.
• Eligible candidates may remain on the merit list for 12 months; after this, reapplication is required.
• If unsuccessful at the sift/assessment stage, a six-month waiting period applies before submitting further applications for prison officer positions.

Operational Support Grade (OSG) and redeployment

• Our Online Assessment Centre also assesses suitability for appointment as an OSG. If unsuccessful for prison officer, alternative OSG opportunities may be offered.

Medical, fitness and travel

• A medical and fitness test will be required, including eyesight, hearing, and basic health screening.
• Medical assessments are UK-based; applicants must attend a UK-based centre.
• Driving licence and own transport may be beneficial for some locations; shift times are fixed and planning transport is important.

Working for the Civil Service

• The Civil Service Code applies; recruitment is merit-based and open competition is used. If you feel the recruitment process breached recruitment principles, you can raise a formal complaint via the listed channels.

Diversity, inclusion and adjustments

• The Civil Service is committed to diversity and inclusion. Reasonable adjustment support is available for online tests and assessment centres; please request adjustments well in advance of the assessments.

Essential information

• You must be able to communicate confidently in English (and Welsh where specified in Wales).
• Prior service requirements include age (18+), nationality rules, and certain security checks.
• Tattoos are permitted if not offensive or intimidating; facial tattoos generally not acceptable unless for cultural, religious or medical reasons. For high-security prisons, UK residency for the last 3 years may be required.

Salary and hours

• Initial training is 37 hours per week. After training, you may work 37, 39, or 41 hours per week, with salary reflecting hours: 37h = £33,746; 39h = £35,875; 41h = £38,003 per year. Salaries include applicable allowances.
• Prisons operate 24/7 with shift patterns including evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays; additional paid hours may be available.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years), plus public holidays and a privilege day
• Civil Service Pension with employer contributions around 28.97%
• Cycle to work scheme, travel loans, and other benefits

Additional information

• What it’s like to work as a prison officer: interactive activity available online for insights (not part of the application scoring).
• Use of Artificial Intelligence: honesty and accuracy required; plagiarism policies apply.
• Review the candidate information page for more details.

Closing date: 17 October 2025