Prison Officer

Overview

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. The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.

\”Someone like you\” There’s no such thing as a typical prison officer. Our officers come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, have worked in retail, the armed forces, or just feel like you’re a natural people person, you’ll have the empathy, self-confidence, great communication skills and resilience we want. You’ll take the time to build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners who could be at the lowest point in their lives. Teamwork is essential, so you’ll 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.

An extraordinary job In this unique career, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day. One minute you’re a peacekeeper, the next you’re a counsellor or a teacher. You’ll work directly with prisoners in a unique environment, helping to protect the public and make a positive impact.

Responsibilities

• communicating and influencing
• managing a quality service
• making effective decisions
• caring

Qualifications and requirements

• be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment
• meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements
• as this is a physically active job, you will need to pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process
• meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes (with and without corrective lenses)
• suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids)
• tattoo policy: tattoos allowed but must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious, or medical reasons
• to work in a high security prison (category A) you must have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years
• driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not essential (location dependent)

Working details: shift patterns include evenings, some nights, weekends; need to plan transport to site. This role requires good English language skills, and where applicable in Wales, Welsh.

Application and selection process

• The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week. Salary varies by hours: 37 h/week = £39,525; 39 h/week = £41,892; 41 h/week = £44,258. All salary figures include applicable allowances. Prisons operate 24/7 with shift patterns and additional paid hours possible.
• Online Tests: stage 1 assesses basic judgement and numerical skills; stage 2 assesses behaviours and qualities via task-based assessment.
• Online Assessment Centre (OAC) evaluates abilities, behaviours and strengths. Read more about the application process.
• Merit vacancy: successful candidates are placed on a merit list; vacancies filled by highest scores first; merit list lasts 12 months.
• If not successful at the sift/assessment stage, a six-month waiting period applies before reapplying.
• Operational Support Grade (OSG): for those not selected as prison officers, an OSG path may be offered after the OAC.
• Medical and fitness: UK-based medical and fitness assessment required; assessors cannot accommodate on the day at other locations.

Additional information

• Working for the Civil Service: role is merit-based and open competition; inform you can raise concerns if recruitment principles are breached.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Civil Service commitment; see Civil Service Diversity & Inclusion Strategy.
• Reasonable adjustments: Disability Confident employer; arrange adjustments in advance of online tests or the OAC.
• Veterans initiative: guaranteed interview for eligible former Armed Forces members; details at gov.uk.
• Redeployment Interview Scheme: opportunities for candidates at risk of redundancy; eligibility varies by campaign.

If you have the integrity, skills and strength of character we’re looking for, this fast-paced role could be the start of a successful career.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 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