Peterborough Vehicle Base

Location: Peterborough Vehicle Base, PE3 7PR

Permanent roles offering job stability & security.

Role: Working as a Prisoner Escort Custody Driver (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) is more than just a role—it’s an opportunity to be part of a professional team that plays a vital role in the justice system, ensuring safety and security every day.

In addition to a rewarding career, we also offer the following:

• Compensation & Benefits: Salary of £26,745 for a 40-hour week; training salary of £23,402 for a 35-hour week. Additional driving allowance earnings for Category B1/C1 License holders: B1 = £600 per year; C1 = £2,400 per year (C1 holders must drive 6‑cell vehicles, subject to further terms). Potential first‑year income between £32,345 and £34,145, depending on license type and overtime (average 8 hours per week). Annual salary increments: Year 2 £27,411; Year 3 £27,927; Year 4 £28,446. Pension matched up to 6%. Life insurance. 20 days annual leave rising to 25 after 7 years, plus bank holidays. Discounts on Merlin Attractions, mobile phones, cinema, leisure, retail and hospitality. Health and wellbeing support: Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care and dental plans. A supportive team and culture passionate about diversity and inclusion.

Working Hours & Schedule: We are operational 24/6 with a 12‑week rota. You’ll cover various early and late shifts, with a minimum of 40 hours per week. Flexibility is essential as the role can involve unpredictable finishing times and additional hours up to 50 per week.

About The Role: As a PCO at our base, you’ll work as part of a crew to provide safe and secure court transportation and custody services. You’ll collect adult male and female detainees between prisons, police stations and courts, ensuring their well‑being. Depending on requirements you may remain at court, caring for detainees until they return to custody or release.

Duties include:

• Accompanying defendants in courtrooms, searching property and people, ensuring food and drink are available, and completing paperwork and data entry.

Key Responsibilities:

• Start the day early, attend briefings to receive assignments, including details on prisoners, pick‑up and drop‑off locations, and specific risks.
• Check handheld devices for schedules and prisoner information; complete vehicle checks.
• Collect prisoners from various locations, verify paperwork and property, search prisoners and load them onto the vehicle.
• Monitor prisoners’ welfare during transport, conduct cell checks and provide water if needed; arrange comfort stops for long journeys.
• Transport prisoners to courts and handle inter‑prison transfers for bed‑space management or educational needs.
• Return to the vehicle base, perform end‑of‑use checks, report defects and hand in documentation.
• Work beyond contracted hours due to job demands, sometimes exceeding 50 hours a week; stay with prisoners admitted to hospitals and handle emergency transfers during incidents such as prison riots.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to understand and respond to the emotional needs of detainees.
• Calm and composed demeanour in stressful and emotionally demanding situations.
• Quick, effective decision‑making in challenging situations.
• Strong teamwork to ensure safety and well‑being of detainees.
• Meticulous following of protocols, conducting searches, and completing paperwork accurately.
• Adequate physical fitness for restraining detainees and long hours.
• Skilled in de‑escalating conflicts and managing challenging behaviour.
• High ethical standards and commitment to confidentiality and professionalism.
• Sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and needs of detainees, ensuring respectful and fair treatment.

Assessment Process: Briefing call → Competency‑based virtual interview → Short role‑play and written exercise.

Additional Information: All roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and offers are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced DBS (Adult & Child Barring) and satisfactory employment references.

Visa & Eligibility: Not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules. Candidates must already have a valid right to work in the UK via other immigration routes and meet the minimum eligibility criteria. At least two years remaining on your current visa. Have lived in the UK for at least one year with a recognisable professional counter‑signatory for that duration.

Apply: Please click the apply button to complete your application. We receive many applications, so apply promptly to avoid disappointment. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation. We offer reasonable adjustments at interview and during employment and are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We are a Disability Confident Leader and hold the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard.