Prison Officer - HMP Erlestoke

Prison Officer – HMP Erlestoke

Location: Bath, South West

Work Type: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working

Starting salary: £36,816 per year (39‑hour week inclusive of 20% unsocial). Initial training is 37 hours a week; after training you can choose 37, 39 or 41 hours a week.

Prison officers protect the public and help make a positive impact on prisoners’ lives. You will act as a peacekeeper, counsellor or teacher, building constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners and supporting colleagues. You will work various shifts, including weekends, and follow the prison’s changing shift pattern of 39 hours a week.

To become a prison officer you will need to:

• be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment
• meet the Civil Service nationality requirements (see details below)
• pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process
• meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes (with and without corrective lenses)
• have a suitable standard of hearing (without hearing aids)
• have visible tattoos that are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable, except for cultural, religious or medical reasons
• for a Category A (high security) prison you must have been a resident in the UK for the last three years

Some prison establishments are situated in rural locations with limited public transport. A driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not essential. Shift start and finish times are fixed, and it is your responsibility to get to and from your place of work on time. Consider the location and transport options before applying.

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

You don’t need qualifications to become a prison officer. Personal qualities are more important. You need to show:

• communication and influencing skills
• commitment to quality
• effective decision‑making
• care and understanding

After training you can select:

• 37 hours a week = £34,928 per year
• 39 hours a week = £36,816 per year
• 41 hours a week = £39,334 per year

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may have to cover shift patterns that include evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. Additional paid hours may be available.

• 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years of service)
• Paid time off for public holidays and one extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits

During the recruitment process you will be assessed on the behaviours, strengths and abilities required for an effective prison officer: communication and influencing, managing a quality service, making effective decisions, and caring. Your numerical, written and spoken English abilities will also be assessed.

After completing the online tests, you may be invited to an online assessment centre.

Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

Closing date: 23rd July 2026