Prison Custody Officer HMP

Please note:

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route in line with current UK immigration rules.

SECURE THE PRESENT, SHAPE THE FUTURE - Transform Livesas a Prison Custody Officer!

As a Prison Custody Officer, you’ll play a crucial role in maintaining safety, security, and order within our prison facilities.

This is more than just a job - it’s a meaningful opportunity to support rehabilitation, ensure justice, and contribute to the wider community.

Rehabilitation is at the heart of what we do - you will play a key role in helping individuals make positive changes while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

If you're pursuing a career with meaning, we welcome you to apply for the position of Prison Custody Officer at HMP Peterborough PE3 7PD

What You'll Do

Your responsibilities will include:

Maintaining a secure and disciplined prison environment

Supervising daily routines, prisoner movements, and scheduled activities

Escorting prisoners securely within and outside the facility

Responding calmly and professionally to challenging or high-pressure situations

Supporting rehabilitation initiatives and encouraging positive behaviours

Building respectful, professional relationships with prisoners to promote a safer, more supportive atmosphere

Who We're Looking For

There’s no such thing as a typical prison officer. Our team is made up of people from all walks of life – whether you’re a parent, former teacher, retail worker, member of the armed forces, or simply someone who thrives on helping others.

Whatever your background, if you’re a natural people person with strong communication skills, self-confidence, empathy, and resilience, we want to hear from you.

You’ll be working with individuals who may be at the lowest point in their lives.

No matter the challenge, you'll be expected to build constructive, positive, and professional relationships based on fairness, consistency, and respect.

You must also be comfortable enforcing rules, setting boundaries, and addressing challenging behaviour directly.

You must be emotionally resilient and able to manage exposure to difficult behaviours, including verbal aggression and confrontation.

Teamwork Matters

Teamwork plays a vital role in this environment. You’ll need to be fully committed to supporting your colleagues and understand the importance of acting as one team to keep the prison safe – for staff, visitors, and prisoners alike.

You must be confident in calling for support when required and supporting colleagues during incidents.

Trust, communication, and reliability are essential - your team will depend on you in high-pressure situations.

The Behaviours That Make a Great Officer

To thrive in this role, you’ll need to demonstrate:

Calm Under Pressure – Manage high-stress or unpredictable situations with a level head

Empathy & Respect – Treat everyone with dignity, regardless of their circumstances

Strong Ethics – Maintain fairness, professionalism, and integrity at all times

Resilience & Adaptability – Stay composed and effective, even when the job gets tough

Effective Communication – Listen actively and speak clearly and confidently

Conflict Resolution – Use de-escalation techniques to manage tension and disputes

Teamwork – Collaborate closely with colleagues for the safety and success of all

Vigilance – Remain observant, alert, and responsive to potential risks

Training and Development

You don’t need prior experience to apply. You’ll receive a comprehensive 8-week training programme, delivered locally, to fully prepare you for the role. This includes:

Classroom and practical learning

Conflict resolution and communication training

Shadowing experienced officers

Continued development and support throughout your career

You will be required to pass and maintain Control & Restraint certification as part of your ongoing role

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a position as a Prison Officer, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years of age at the time your employment begins

Be able to work shifts, including nights, weekends, and bank holidays
Be physically capable of performing control and restraint techniques, standing for long periods,…