Location
Norwich Law Courts, NR3 1UR
Role
Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) within Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS). The PCO helps keep the justice system safe and secure by escorting detainees between prisons, police stations, and courts.
Salary & Working Hours
Initial Training Salary: £24,596 (35 hrs per week). Graduated Base Salary: £28,109 (40 hrs per week), rising to £29,205 from 1 September 2026. Overtime (8 hrs per week) may bring first‑year income between £34,805 and £36,905.
Shifts are 24/6 and may run beyond contracted hours. Rotas are provided 12 weeks in advance. Part‑time work may be considered on a full‑day basis.
Benefits
- Holidays: 20 days (increasing to 25 after 7 years) plus bank holidays (pro‑rated).
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory, matched by Serco.
- Training & Development: 5½‑week paid induction, ongoing training and internal progression.
- Health & Well‑being: Employee Assistance Programme, access to MIND, health and dental plans, support resources, gym discounts.
- Discounts: Savings with major retailers, entertainment, leisure, mobile plans and more.
Responsibilities
- Attend briefings and receive detainee, route, and risk details.
- Carry out vehicle and equipment checks.
- Collect, search, and transport detainees safely.
- Monitor welfare during transport, including checks and comfort stops.
- Deliver detainees to courts or between establishments.
- Complete end‑of‑shift checks, reporting, and documentation.
- Work flexibly, including extended hours and incident response.
Requirements
- Full UK driving licence (B1/C1/D) – C1/D holders ideally have a valid CPC/Tachograph.
- Reasonable fitness for the physical demands.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to stay calm and make decisions under pressure.
- Confidence managing behaviour and de‑escalating conflict.
- Teamwork and ability to follow processes accurately.
- Professionalism, integrity, and respect for confidentiality.
Legal & Equality
All roles are subject to random alcohol and drug testing. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is open to all candidates regardless of gender, race, disability or other protected characteristics. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
