Operational Support Grade - HMP Prison Support

Job Overview

Operational Support Grade – a key role within the prison support team that ensures smooth and safe day‑to‑day prison operations. The role involves a range of physical tasks, including lifting, carrying, standing, walking and lone working across day and night shifts.

• Secure entry and exit of staff, visitors and vehicles.
• Carry out searches of staff, prisoners, visitors and vehicles.
• Escort vehicles and contractors around the prison site.
• Issue and collect staff keys and radios.
• Patrol and search perimeter fence areas.
• Operate the prison radio system and monitor CCTV.
• Welcome visitors, escort them if needed and manage mail arrival.
• Record and report contraband, preserve evidence, and ensure all prisoners are accounted for.
• Photograph prisoners, process parcels and property, and supervise prisoners when required.
• Assist prison officers with escorting prisoners and deliver/collect food trollies or use an electric tug vehicle.
• Collect mail from the local sorting office, which may involve lifting heavy sacks.
• Monitor the prison’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) phone system and maintain logs.
• Understand and conform to national and local policies, responding appropriately to incidents and emergencies.

No formal qualifications required. Essential qualities include good judgment, common sense, responsibility, strong teamwork skills and the ability to work safely and efficiently in a demanding environment.

Must be able to speak English fluently and, where required in Wales, have Welsh language skills.

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after ten years of service (calculated on a pro‑rata basis).
• 9 bank, public and privilege holidays included in the annual leave.
• Access to a paid Level 2 customer service apprenticeship.
• Participation in the generous Civil Service pension scheme.
• Season ticket loans, retail discounts and a Cycle to Work scheme.

Average of 37 hours per week, including night, evening, weekend and bank/public holiday shifts on a rolling pattern. The role involves substantial physical activity: lifting, carrying, standing and walking for extended periods, and lone work on day and night shifts.

All candidates must undergo security and identity checks. External candidates are subject to a six‑month probationary period. Internal candidates are required to have completed the requisite probation within HMPPS.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. All applicants have the right to raise formal complaints if they feel the recruitment process has breached the required principles.

Driving licence and personal transport are beneficial for rural locations but not essential unless specified. Accommodation is not provided. The role can only be performed within the UK.

For EERE perspectives and equal opportunity statements, please refer to the Civil Service commission guidelines and the Equal Opportunities Act.