202604: Prison Officer - HMP Erlestoke in Devizes

Key Responsibilities

• Protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners’ lives.
• Act as a peacekeeper, counsellor, teacher or any other required role in a single day.
• Build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners who may be at the lowest point in their lives.
• Work with a team, supporting colleagues and acting as one team to keep the prison, and everyone who works here, safe.
• Work various shifts – evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays (these days are added to your holiday allowance).

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment.
• Meet the Civil Service nationality and right‑to‑work requirements.
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment, including eyesight and hearing tests.
• Have the necessary communication, influencing, caring and self‑confidence skills.
• Possess a valid UK driving licence if you are offered an Operational Support Grade (OSG) role.
• Be willing to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week (with a 39‑hour week the default training schedule) and be flexible with shift patterns.

Salary & Benefits

• Initial training – 37 hours a week (£33,746 a year).
• Full‑time 39 hours a week – £35,875 a year (includes 20% unsocial allowance).
• High‑security 41 hours a week – £38,003 a year.
• 25 days annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years of service).
• Pay for public holidays and one extra privilege day.
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme, travel loans and other benefits.
• Additional paid hours may be available.

Recruitment Process

• Stage 1 – Online test for basic judgement and numerical skills.
• Stage 2 – Values‑based online assessment.
• Online Assessment Centre (OAC) to evaluate behaviours, strengths and abilities.
• Medical and fitness test after a vacancy is identified.
• Assessment pass valid for 12 months; if no vacancies, you are placed on the reserve list.
• Unsuccessful applicants may be offered an OSG role (if holding a valid driving licence).

Equality, Diversity & Reasonable Adjustments

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and are committed to providing reasonable adjustment support for applicants with disabilities, veterans and other eligible groups. All applicants are assessed fairly and openly, in line with Civil Service recruitment principles.

Legal Statements

All salaries and benefits are inclusive of applicable allowances. Applicants must ensure they have the right to live and work in the UK and in the Civil Service.