202606: Prison Officer - HMP Leicester Futures

Sponsorship is not guaranteed, and applicants are responsible for ensuring they have, and can maintain, the appropriate right to work in the UK. Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available for this role, subject to eligibility and in line with the UK Immigration Rules in force at the time of application. However, due to current immigration requirements and recruitment timescales, candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored if applying to this campaign. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider their right to work in the UK carefully before applying.

The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. We are recruiting prison officers for future vacancies at HMP Leicester. The first 23 months of service will be at HMP Wayland, after which you will transfer to HMP Leicester permanently. You will receive accommodation costs up to £750 per month for up to 2–3 months, a recruitment and retention bonus of £1,500 after 12 and 23 months, and a paid monthly trip home to support relocation.

Prison officers protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners’ lives. This fast‑paced role requires integrity, skills and resilience. Working shifts may include evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays.

To become a prison officer, you will need to:

• be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment
• meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements
• pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process, including an eyesight test and hearing test (without hearing aids)
• have suitable standard hearing and eyesight in both eyes, with and without corrective lenses
• have tattoos that are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable unless they are cultural, religious or medical

Some prison establishments are in rural locations with limited public transport. A driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not essential unless specified. You must arrive on time for your shift.

Nationality requirements:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Personal qualities are more important than formal qualifications. You need to demonstrate:

• communication and influencing skills
• effective decision‑making
• care and understanding

Your pay will depend on the prison you work at and your weekly shift hours. The figures below are based on a 37‑hour contract until the end of initial training, after which you may increase to 39 or 41 hours per week.

Accommodation costs paid (up to £750 per month) for up to 2–3 months. Reclaim the cost of a monthly trip from your deployed prison to a prison closest to your home. A recruitment and retention bonus of £1,500 after the first 12 and 23 months.

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so duties will include evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays (included in holiday allowance). Additional paid hours may be available. Total length of deployment: 23 months, after which you will return to HMP Leicester, your permanent prison.

25 days annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years of service)

Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day

Civil Service pension of up to 20% of your salary

Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits

During recruitment you will be assessed on the behaviours, strengths and abilities required for an effective prison officer, including:

• communicating and influencing
• managing a quality service
• caring

Your natural strengths are assessed to find what motivates and energises you. You will also be tested on numerical, written English and spoken English skills.

Online Tests:

• Stage 1: Basic judgement and numerical skills. If successful, you will be invited to Stage 2: a values‑based assessment to understand how you demonstrate the values needed for an effective prison officer. If you were unsuccessful at Stage 2 in the last 6 months, you can re‑apply.

Assessment Centre:

Successful completion of the online tests will invite you to an online assessment centre to evaluate your behaviours, strengths and abilities. Following this, you will undertake a medical and fitness test covering eyesight, hearing and basic health screening.

The vacancy will be filled based on scores from the assessment centre. Those with the highest scores receive offers first. The merit list is valid for 12 months; after this you must re‑apply.

As a Disability Confident employer, the Ministry of Justice will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace where needed. The jobholder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or Welsh (where specified).

Artificial Intelligence can support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful and original. Plagiarism may result in withdrawal of application and disciplinary action for internal candidates.