Prison Officer - HMP Channings Wood

Prison Officer – HMP Channings Wood

Location:

Newton Abbot, South West.

Starting salary: £35,875 (for a 39‑hour week inc 20% unsocial)

Prison officers protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners’ lives. This fast‑paced role could be the start of a successful career.

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Pass medical, fitness, eyesight and hearing assessments.
• Have a suitable standard of hearing without hearing aids.
• Tattoos must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating (except cultural, religious or medical).
• Must have lived in the UK for 3 years to work in a Category A prison.
• Legal right to live and work in the UK/Civil Service.

• Communication and influencing.
• Commitment to quality.
• Care and understanding.

Initial training is 37 hours a week. You can later work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week, with corresponding annual salary:

• 37 hours = £33,746
• 39 hours = £35,875
• 41 hours = £38,003

Benefits include:

• 25 days annual holiday (30 days after 10 years).
• Paid time off for public holidays and one extra privilege day.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Travel loans.
• Employer contributions to Civil Service pension %.

Prisons operate 24/7. You will cover various shifts including evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. Shift patterns usually involve 39 hours per week.

The process includes:

• Initial application form.
• Stage 1 online test: judgement and numerical skills.
• Stage 2 online test: values‑based assessment.
• Online assessment centre (OAC) – assessment of behaviours, strengths, written and spoken English.
• Merit list: highest scores receive job offers. Merit list remains valid for 12 months.
• After the assessment centre you may be offered a Prison Officer role or an operational support grade (OSG) role, which requires a valid full UK driving licence.

All applicants must undergo a UK‑based medical and fitness assessment covering eyesight, hearing, blood pressure and basic health screening.

As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ is committed to providing reasonable adjustment support. Please indicate any adjustments needed in the application form. The role requires confidence in English, or Welsh in Wales.

See attached file:
Band-3-PO-Safe-Decent-and-Secure-JD048-v8.0.pdf.

Closing date: 25 June 2026.