Prison Officer

Overview

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas. From 22 July 2025, a new visa route applies. Applicants must have held a Skilled Worker visa before that date or have an alternative right to work in the UK. Successful candidates must maintain legal right to work in the Civil Service.

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

• Communicating and influencing.
• Managing a quality service.
• Making effective decisions.
• Caring.

Applicants will complete online tests, an assessment centre, medical and fitness testing, and a final interview.

• Stage 1: judgment and numerical skills test.
• Stage 2: task‑based assessment.
• Online Assessment Centre (OAC) testing behaviours and strengths.
• Medical and fitness assessment covering eyesight, hearing and basic health screening.

• At least 18 years old at commencement of employment.
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Pass the medical and fitness assessment; meet eyesight standards in both eyes.
• Suitable hearing standard; no use of hearing aids.
• Tattoos permissible if not offensive or violent; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious or medical reasons.
• For Category A prisons: resident in the UK for the last 3 years.
• Driving licence and own transport beneficial for rural prisons (not essential unless specified).

Initial training: 37 hours per week. After training, options to work 37, 39 or 41 hours per week. Shift pattern includes evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays.

• 37 hours: £33,746 per year.
• 39 hours: £35,875 per year.
• 41 hours: £38,003 per year.

• 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 28.97 % employer contributions.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme, travel loans and other benefits.

The Civil Service code sets the standards of behaviour expected. Recruitment is by merit. Applicants should contact Shared Services Connected Ltd, Ministry of Justice Resourcing or the Civil Service Commission if they feel the process has breached principles. The Civil Service is committed to diversity, inclusion and reasonable adjustment support for disabled candidates.

Applicants should use AI responsibly. All examples and statements must be truthful and taken from personal experience. Plagiarism or presentation of AI‑generated content as the applicant’s own may lead to application withdrawal.