Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support rehabilitation and maintain safety in a dynamic prison environment.
- Company: HMP Cardiff, part of the Civil Service with a commitment to diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and additional perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+, pass medical and fitness assessments, and meet eyesight standards.
- Other info: Join a merit-based recruitment process with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 33500 - 38500 £ per year.
Prison officer – HMP Cardiff
Prison officer – HMP Cardiff
HMP Cardiff, Knox Rd, Cardiff, CF24 0UG
Starting salary: £35,875 (for a 39 hour week inc 20% unsocial)
City/Town: Cardiff
Region: Wales
Vacancy type: Merit
During the recruitment process you will be assessed on:
- communicating and influencing
- managing a quality service
- making effective decisions
- caring
To become a prison officer, you will need to:
- be at least 18 years old at the commencement of employment
- meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements
- pass a medical and fitness assessment
- meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes
- for safety reasons, meet a suitable standard of hearing.
- Whilst tattoos are permitted, including those that are visible, they must not be deemed as offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating in any way. Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable, except where this is for cultural, religious, or medical reasons.
How to apply
Once you have completed your initial application form you will be invited to complete stage 1 of the online test, to see if you have the basic judgement and numerical skills. If you pass, we will invite you to complete stage 2 of the online tests, which is a task-based assessment.
If you pass the online tests we will invite you to an online assessment centre (OAC). Once you’ve successfully completed the OAC and you are allocated to a vacancy we will invite you to complete a medical and fitness test. This will cover an eyesight test, hearing test and basic health screening, including a blood pressure check.
Pay
The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training you can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week. Your annual salary will reflect your weekly hours.
- 37 hours a week = £33,746 a year
- 39 hours a week = £35,875 a year
- 41 hours a week = £38,003 a year
Benefits
All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances. The standard working week of a prison officer is based on a 39 hours per week shift pattern.
- 25 days’ annual holiday (rising 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
Job offers: merit vacancy
This is a merit job vacancy. If you are successful at the online assessment centre you will be added to a merit list based on your score. When all applicants have completed the assessment centre the prison will make job offers to individuals with the highest scores first when positions become available. You can stay on the merit list for 12 months. After this you’ll need to apply again.
Operational Support Grade Role
Our Online Assessment Centre (OAC) will not only assess you against the key criteria to become a prison officer but will also determine your suitability for appointment as an operational support grade (OSG). If following attendance at your OAC you are unsuccessful in your application to become a prison officer we may instead offer you an alternative role as an OSG.
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of Civil Servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\’s recruitment principles. If you feel the recruitment process has breached the principles you can raise a complaint by contacting Shared Services Connected Ltd.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Reasonable adjustment support
Just tick ‘yes’ when it asks if you think you might need a reasonable adjustment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
202510:Prison Officer - HMP Cardiff employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 202510:Prison Officer - HMP Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Get familiar with the role of a prison officer. Research what it’s like day-to-day at HMP Cardiff and think about how your skills in communication and decision-making can shine through. This will help you stand out during the online assessment centre.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice those online tests! They’re a big part of the process, so find some sample questions online to get comfortable with the format. The more prepared we are, the better we’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Reach out to current or former prison officers on LinkedIn or local community groups. They can provide insights that could give us an edge in our application.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people. Plus, we often have tips and resources available that can help us throughout the process.
We think you need these skills to ace 202510:Prison Officer - HMP Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you unique.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the role of a prison officer. Highlight your skills in communication, decision-making, and caring for others, as these are key traits we’re looking for.
Check Your Details: Before hitting that submit button, double-check all your details. Spelling mistakes or missing information can make a bad impression, and we want you to put your best foot forward!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and you’ll find all the info you need about the process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand what being a prison officer entails. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as managing a quality service and making effective decisions. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
As a prison officer, strong communication and influencing skills are crucial. Try to practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to do mock interviews with a friend or family member to get comfortable with discussing your experiences and how they relate to the job.
✨Prepare for the Online Assessment Centre
The OAC is a significant part of the recruitment process. Brush up on your judgement and numerical skills, as well as any task-based assessments you might face. There are plenty of resources online that can help you prepare, so don’t skip this step!
✨Showcase Your Caring Nature
Caring is one of the key attributes needed for this role. Think of examples from your past where you've demonstrated empathy and support for others. Be ready to share these stories during your interview to highlight your suitability for the position.