202510:Prison Officer - HMP Swansea

Visa Eligibility

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place. If you are applying for this role and you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

About the Role

There is no typical prison officer. Our officers come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, have worked in retail, the armed forces or just feel like you are a natural people person, you will have the empathy, self‑confidence, great communication skills and resilience we want. No matter the challenge, you will take the time to build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners who could be at the lowest point in their lives.

Teamwork plays a vital role in this environment, so you will need to be fully committed to supporting your colleagues and understand the importance of acting as one team to keep the prison, and everyone who works here safe. You will be required to work various shifts and some weekends.

Responsibilities

• Peacekeeper, counsellor or teacher – you will work directly with prisoners in a unique environment, helping to protect the public and make a positive impact.
• Carry out many different roles in any one day – you will be a peacekeeper, the next you are a counsellor or a teacher.
• Build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners.
• Support colleagues and act as one team to keep the prison and everyone safe.

Qualifications & Experience

• 18 years old and above at the time of commencement of employment.
• Meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements.
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment – you must meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes (with and without corrective lenses) and a suitable standard of hearing (without hearing aids).
• Strong communication and influencing skills, commitment to quality, effective decision‑making, care and understanding.
• Prison officer role is physically active – you must be willing and able to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week.

Assessment Process

• Stage 1 – online test to assess basic judgement and numerical skills.
• Stage 2 – online test (task‑based assessment) to assess natural behaviours and qualities needed to be an effective prison officer.
• Online Assessment Centre (OAC) – test abilities, behaviours and strengths to be a prison officer.
• If you are unsuccessful at the sift/assessment stage, a six‑month waiting period will be applied during which time you will not be able to submit any further applications for prison officer positions.

What it’s like to work as a prison officer

Our interactive online activity gives you an insight into the situations prison officers may experience day‑to‑day in their work. It is to help you decide whether the prison officer role is right for you.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual holiday (increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service).
• Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day.
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%.
• Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits.

Pay

• 37 hours a week = £33,746 a year.
• 39 hours a week = £35,875 a year.
• 41 hours a week = £38,003 a year.
• All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances that are applicable to the role/location.

Security

• Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
• People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. We are a Disability Confident employer and we provide reasonable adjustment support to candidates when they apply for our jobs.

Contact & Further Information

Closing date: 27th October 2025.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please visit our Candidate Information Page at https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ.