Prison officer in Swansea

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom. Prison officers protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners' lives. 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.

There is no typical prison officer: our officers come from different backgrounds and will need empathy, self-confidence, great communication skills and resilience to build constructive, positive relationships with prisoners who could be at the lowest point in their lives. Teamwork is essential to keep the prison and everyone who works there safe. You will be required to work various shifts and some weekends.

Responsibilities

In this unique career, you may 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 will work directly with prisoners in a unique environment, helping to protect the public and make a positive impact. You will be involved in activities that require forming professional relationships and upholding safety and security within the establishment. The job also involves supporting your colleagues as part of a unified team to deliver a quality service and to maintain safe operations.

Requirements and Eligibility

Before applying, you must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role in English (or Welsh where specified in Wales). You must meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements and, for safety, pass a medical and fitness assessment and the required eyesight standard in both eyes (with and without corrective lenses). You must have suitable hearing (without hearing aids). Tattoos are permitted if not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable unless 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.

Other practical considerations include: a driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not essential (depending on location); shift start/finish times are fixed and you must arrange your transport to get to work on time. You will be assessed on behaviours and abilities relevant to the role, including communication, influencing, quality of service, decision-making and care. Your strengths and English abilities (numerical, written and spoken) will be assessed during recruitment.

Essential skills: you do not need formal qualifications; personal qualities matter. You should demonstrate communication and influencing skills, commitment to quality, effective decision-making and care. During recruitment you will be assessed on these behaviours and strengths as part of determining your fit for the role.

The initial training is 37 hours per week. After training, you can work 37, 39 or 41 hours per week. Salary varies by hours and location, and includes applicable allowances: 37 hours = £33,746; 39 hours = £35,875; 41 hours = £38,003 per year. Prisons operate 24/7 with various shift patterns including evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays (holiday allowance reflects this). There may be opportunities to work additional paid hours.

Benefits include: 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years), 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.

Additional Information

Redeployment Interview Scheme: Civil Service departments explore redeployment opportunities before redundancy. The MoJ offers interviews to eligible candidates who meet minimum criteria, with some campaign exceptions. Veterans' initiative: the Civil Service aims to provide a guaranteed interview to eligible former Armed Forces members who meet minimum criteria.