Prisoner Custody Officer - Peterborough Vehicle Base

Overview

Prisoner Custody Officer – Peterborough Vehicle Base. This permanent role with Serco, based in Peterborough, England, United Kingdom, forms part of Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS). You will be part of a professional team delivering safe and secure court transportation and custody services, supporting the justice system on a day-to-day basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Start the day early and attend briefings to receive assignments, including prisoner details, pick-up and drop-off locations, and awareness of risks.
• Check handheld devices for schedules and prisoner information and complete vehicle checks.
• Collect prisoners from various locations, verify paperwork and property, search detainees, and load them onto the vehicle.
• Monitor prisoners\’ welfare during transport, conduct cell checks, and provide water; arrange comfort stops for long journeys.
• Transport prisoners to courts and handle inter-prison transfers for reasons such as bed-space management or educational needs.
• Return to base, perform end-of-use checks, report defects, and submit required documentation.
• Be prepared to work beyond contracted hours due to job demands (often exceeding 50 hours per week) and to stay with detainees admitted to hospital or manage emergency transfers as required.

What you need to do the job

• Hold a current driver\’s licence, with B1 or C1 licence (valid CPC card desirable).
• Complete a 5 1/2-week training course; prior experience is not required.
• Interest in criminology or psychology can be beneficial.
• Ability to understand and respond to the emotional needs of detainees.
• Ability to handle stressful and emotionally demanding situations with calmness and composure.
• Ability to think on your feet and make quick, effective decisions.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees.
• Meticulous in following protocols, conducting searches, and completing paperwork accurately.
• Adequate physical fitness to perform duties that may involve restraining detainees and long hours.
• Skilled in de-escalating conflicts and managing challenging behaviour effectively.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to always maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and needs of detainees, ensuring respectful and fair treatment.

Assessment Process

• Briefing call to assess eligibility.
• Competency-based virtual interview.
• Short role-play and written exercise.

Additional Information and Eligibility

• All roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and offers of employment are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced DBS (Adult & Child Barring) and satisfactory employment references.
• This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules. Applicants must meet minimum eligibility criteria: Have at least two years remaining on your current visa; Have lived in the UK for at least one year (vetting requires a counter-signatory from a recognised professional who has known you for that duration).
• For general right-to-work guidance, please visit the UK Home Office website.
• Serco supports fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the Ban the Box pledge; please contact our recruitment team to discuss.

About Serco

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work important, but everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone. By joining Serco you will have access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire, SercoEmbrace, SercoUnlimited and In@Serco. Our employee networks are led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Apply

Please click the apply button to submit your application. Serco is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation and will make reasonable adjustments at interview and employment for candidates. We support flexible and hybrid working where possible. We are Disability Confident Leaders and hold the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. For help with your application please contact j&icareersUK@serco.com.

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