Operational Support Grade - HMP Prison Support

Responsibilities

• Ensure secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, and vehicles.
• Carry out searches of staff, prisoners, visitors and vehicles.
• Walk around the prison site escorting vehicles and contractors.
• Issue and collect staff keys and radios.
• Patrol and search perimeter fence areas.

• Operate the prison radio system.
• Monitor CCTV and report suspicious activity.

• Welcome visitors on arrival and escort them if needed.
• Monitor and log mail entering the prison.
• Report contraband items and preserve evidence.
• Ensure prison doors are locked and all prisoners are accounted for.
• Photograph prisoners and process their property and parcels.
• Supervise prisoners, exchange clothing and property, assist officers, deliver and collect food via trolleys or electric tug vehicles.

• Collect mail from the local sorting office, often lifting heavy sacks.
• Monitor the prison’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) phone system.
• Maintain logs of PIN phone requests from prisoners.

• Understand and conform to national and local policies, responding appropriately to incidents and emergencies.

Ability to lift and carry heavy items, stand and walk for long periods, and work both day and night shifts, including lone working.

No qualifications are required. Applicants must demonstrate good judgment, common sense, responsibility, and teamwork.

You must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English (or Welsh in Wales, where specified).

Travel to work:
Some establishments are in rural areas with limited public transport; a driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not essential.

Average of 37 hours per week, including nights, evenings, weekends and bank/public holidays on a rolling shift pattern. Night shift frequency varies by establishment and can be discussed at interview.

• Salary covers a 37‑hour week, includes a 20% unsocial hours allowance.
• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment (increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service, pro‑rata).
• Bank, public and privilege holidays: 9 days.
• Paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service.
• Generous Civil Service pension scheme.
• Season ticket loans, retail discounts, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work scheme.

All staff receive security and diversity training, an individual induction programme, and various professional development opportunities.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's guidelines.

The MoJ is a Disability Confident employer and is committed to providing reasonable adjustment support to candidates with disabilities.

Open to nationals of the Republic of Ireland, Commonwealth (right to work in UK), EU and other specified groups.