Prison officer

Your primary responsibilities as a prison officer are to maintain a safe, secure and decent environment by supervising prisoners and managing day-to-day routines. This includes locking and unlocking doors, supervising movement around the establishment, carrying out security checks and searches, and accounting for prisoners at key points during the day.

You'll also build professional working relationships with prisoners, balancing authority with fairness, respect and clear boundaries. This helps support rehabilitation and protects prisoner welfare, for example by encouraging engagement with work, education and other activities, and by signposting people to specialist support when needed.

The nature of the role demands the ability to stay calm under pressure, think on your feet, make sound decisions and respond effectively to unexpected situations, working with colleagues to de-escalate incidents and resolve problems safely.

Responsibilities

As a prison officer, you'll need to:

• supervise, manage and control prisoners lawfully, safely and securely
• act as a first point of contact in reception/induction, explaining routines, rules and expectations
• account for prisoners, maintain good order, and manage safe movement around the establishment
• carry out security checks, including search procedures (in line with policy) for prisoners, staff and visitors
• supervise visits and carry out patrols, including checks of designated areas and security points
• escort prisoners to external appointments, for example to court or hospital
• contribute to case management, including risk assessments, sentence planning and reviews, sharing relevant observations
• support welfare by listening, offering practical guidance, and signposting or referring prisoners to specialist help when needed
• respond to incidents as first on scene, using communication and teamwork to de-escalate and resolve situations
• use approved control and restraint techniques only when necessary, proportionate and authorised
• receive, record, store and return prisoners’ property in line with procedures
• treat prisoners with dignity and respect, and apply boundaries and decisions fairly and consistently
• provide additional support for people in custody who are vulnerable or at risk of self-harm, following safer custody procedures
• support violence reduction, anti-bullying and suicide/self-harm prevention practices
• promote rehabilitation by encouraging engagement with work, education and training, and supporting family contact where appropriate
• work closely with colleagues and partner agencies (for example healthcare, education, psychology and probation)
• keep accurate records and write reports, including incident and intelligence reports where required
• support resettlement activity, including preparation for release and signposting to services
• comply with national and local policy, legal requirements and professional standards.

Salary

• Trainee prison officers start on a 37-hour week and are paid between £33,746 and £39,493 (including 20% unsocial hours allowance) according to location. Some sites may pay an additional market allowance.
• When you start your first job (after initial training) as a prison officer in England or Wales, you'll be paid between £33,746 to £44,474, depending on the number of hours you choose to work and the location of the prison.
• In Scotland, operations officers (security/movements with minimal contact with prisoners) start on £29,634 and progress to £33,569. Residential officers (day-to-day management of people in custody) start on £36,268 and progress to £42,587. Progression to the top end of the salary range is typically achievable within three years, subject to pay progression.
• Salaries may vary according to whether you're employed by His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) or a private prison. Overtime may also be available. Pension schemes may also vary in private prisons.

You’ll also be entitled to a Civil Service pension and further benefits, which may include a cycle to work scheme and travel loans.

Income data from Prison and Probation Jobs. Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll be required to work regular unsocial hours, including nights, weekends and bank holidays. During your training period, you'll work 37hours per week.

After this, you can choose for your standard working hours to be either 39 or 41 hours per week.

Salary and working hours can vary between prisons, so check the terms and conditions before applying.

There are opportunities for part-time or job-share work. Flexible working may be available once you have successfully completed your probation period.

What to expect

• Most of the work is indoors, some duties (such as patrols, escorts, and supervising outdoor areas) involve spending time outside.
• Working as a prison officer is varied and fast-paced, and involves maintaining safety and security, supervising day-to-day routines, supporting rehabilitation, and dealing with challenging behaviour.
• The work can be challenging and requires a calm and flexible approach, as difficult, confrontational, and sometimes violent situations may arise.
• You'll be supported in your role by your team who understand the day-to-day challenges you may encounter.
• Jobs are available throughout the UK in prisons and young offender institutions (and other custodial settings), although employers and job titles vary between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Working hours usually include shifts, which may involve nights, weekends and public holidays.

Qualifications

You don't need specific qualifications to apply for the role of a prison officer, and you also don't need to have had any specific experience. Personal qualities, values and life experience are key and full training is provided. However, you must meet eligibility and selection requirements.

In England and Wales, with HMPPS, you'll generally need to:

• be 18 or over when you start work
• have the right to work in the UK and meet relevant nationality/eligibility requirements
• pass security and identity checks, plus health screening and fitness testing
• meet the required eyesight standard and a suitable hearing standard.

If you're applying to work in a high security prison (Category A), you'll usually need CTC (Counter Terrorist Check) security clearance - and to be eligible for this you must have been resident in the UK for the last three years.

The application process is in-depth and has various stages, which may include:

• a short online application to confirm eligibility and right to work
• online tests, typically including a scenario-based judgement test and a numeracy test
• an online assessment centre (around 2 hours 30 minutes) completed on a laptop with a webcam, usually including an interview, a role play, and a written test
• medical and fitness assessments, including eyesight and hearing checks
• vetting and background checks.

Before taking up a position as a prison officer, you'll need to complete vetting and pre-employment checks. This can take a few months, so start dates may depend on checks being completed.

You don't need specific knowledge or particular academic qualifications to apply, but if you're applying to HMPPS in England and Wales you'll need the right to work in the UK and 5 GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths.

New prison officers in England and Wales work towards a Level 3 Custody and Detention Professional apprenticeship as part of their training and development.

There is also an opportunity for graduates and career changers to join via Unlocked, a two-year leadership development programme for prison officers.

In Scotland, recruitment and training are run by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and selection stages can vary - check SPS for the latest details. For Northern Ireland, see the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS).

If you're applying to a privately run prison, check the employer's website for their entry requirements, selection process and training, as these can vary.

Skills

You will need to have:

• empathy and the ability to build professional, trusting relationships
• strong communication and people skills, with the capacity to work with a range of people
• professional confidence and assertiveness, with emotional awareness and the ability to maintain clear boundaries
• cultural awareness and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• integrity, discretion and resilience
• teamwork skills and willingness to learn from others
• the ability to think on your feet, make sound decisions and stay calm under pressure
• good organisational skills and attention to detail
• physical fitness and stamina
• willingness to learn and follow security procedures, prison rules and legal requirements
• commitment to rehabilitation and maintaining a safe, decent environment.

Work experience

Getting relevant experience before applying can be helpful, and learning about the justice sector can support your training and professional development.

You can find useful paid or voluntary opportunities in settings such as:

• probation services (for example, approved premises/probation hostels, where available)
• prison visiting services and family support
• victim support services
• youth offending services/teams
• community sentences programmes (for example, Community Payback, where available)
• related roles outside justice, such as support work, homelessness services, mental health or substance misuse services, or other public-facing roles where you de-escalate conflict and apply procedures

The quality of your experience is more important than the quantity.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Prison officer roles are available across different types of establishments, including men's prisons, women's prisons, closed prisons, open/resettlement prisons and young offender institutions/young people's units (depending on the nation and employer).

The main employers of prison officers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are:

• HMPPS (England and Wales) - runs 105 of the 122 prisons in England and Wales, the remainder are run by private companies
• Scottish Prison Service (SPS) - includes 16 publicly managed prisons and one privately operated prison under contract to SPS
• Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) - manages three prison establishments: Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood College and Women's Prison
• prisons run by private companies under contract - these employers manage their own recruitment within agreed contractual and regulatory standards.

Look for vacancies at:

• Ministry of Justice
• Northern Ireland Civil Service Recruitment
• Prison and Probation Jobs
• Scottish Prison Service

Private prison operators such as Sodexo, Serco and G4S also advertise prison officer vacancies on their websites.

Professional development

Prison officer training in England and Wales (HMPPS) begins with a 10-day (weeks one and two) induction at your 'home' prison learning the layout, routines and key duties. After this, you'll complete a seven-week (weeks three to nine) foundation training programme at a designated learning centre, which will usually be close to your 'home' prison.

Once you have completed your foundation training, you'll return to your 'home' prison where you'll continue on-the-job learning.

In England and Wales, prison officers complete a 12-month probationary period, with ongoing support and development as you build competence in the role.

Graduates on the Unlocked Leadership Development Programme begin with Summer Institute, a bespoke five-week residential training course, and receive ongoing support from Mentoring Prison Officers throughout the programme. Participants also undertake a fully funded Masters degree (MSc) as part of the two-year programme.

Opportunities for training and development in private prisons vary depending on the employer. Contact individual companies for details.

In Scotland, new officers enter as Operations Officers and complete the SVQ in Custodial Care at SCQF Level 7 during their first two years.

Prison officers can access a range of training and development opportunities throughout their careers, for example in equality and diversity, dealing with challenging behaviour, suicide prevention and anti-bullying, as well as routes into specialist and promotion pathways.

Career prospects

Posts involving greater responsibility and staff management are a common promotion route. In HMPPS (England and Wales), prison officers typically start as Band 3 and can progress into supervisory and management roles, including custodial manager positions, through a combination of experience, selection and accreditation. From there, opportunities exist to move into senior management roles leading areas such as residential, security or reducing reoffending.

As you gain experience you may be able to specialise in areas such as dog handling, searching, safer custody, programmes, corruption prevention, training roles, or other operational specialisms (depending on the establishment).

Officers who feel ready can apply for promotion when opportunities arise. Promotion usually involves a competitive process designed to assess whether you have the skills and behaviours needed for the next level.

You may also be able to take up temporary promotions, detached duty or secondments, including roles in other establishments or in headquarters/regional teams, and specialist projects such as work focused on rehabilitation, family support or particular groups within the prison population.

With further management experience, you can progress into senior leadership roles and, potentially, towards deputy governor and governing governor posts. Alternatively, experienced staff may move into wider HMPPS, Ministry of Justice or criminal justice roles - for example, policy, commissioning, partnership work, or work with voluntary and community organisations.

In Scotland (SPS), progression routes include moving from operations officer into roles such as residential officer, officer instructor/vocational training officer, and first line and senior management posts. After completing probation, you can apply for promotion and will be assessed on merit, performance and suitability for the role.