Overview
This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department cannot sponsor you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place. If you are applying for this role and you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.
The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.
About the role
There is no single typical prison officer. Our officers come from different walks of life, and you will need empathy, self-confidence, strong communication skills and resilience. You will build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners who could be at the lowest point in their lives. Teamwork is vital, so you must be committed to supporting colleagues and working as one team to keep the prison and everyone who works there safe. You will be required to work various shifts and some weekends.
What you’ll do
* Carry out a variety of roles in a day, including being a peacekeeper, a counsellor or a teacher, while working directly with prisoners in a unique environment.
* Be assessed on your natural strengths to determine what motivates and energises you; we also assess numerical, written English and spoken English abilities.
* Complete online tests (stage 1: basic judgement and numerical skills) and stage 2 (task-based assessment) if successful.
* Attend an online assessment centre to test abilities, behaviours and strengths for the role.
* Oversee the merit vacancy process and potential progression to an Operational Support Grade (OSG) if not selected as a prison officer.
Application process
* Read more about the application process and the online tests.
* Job offers are made based on merit after the online assessment centre; you may stay on the merit list for 12 months.
* If unsuccessful at the sift/assessment stage, a six-month waiting period applies before you can submit further applications for prison officer positions.
Medical, fitness and location
* Medical and fitness tests will be required, including eyesight and hearing checks and basic health screening.
* Medical and fitness assessments must be completed at a UK-based centre; we cannot facilitate assessments outside the UK.
* Travel to work may require a driving licence and own transport; shift start/finish times are fixed.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets the standards of behaviour for Civil Servants. We recruit by merit and fair competition. If you feel recruitment principles were breached, you can raise a formal complaint in the following order: Shared Services Connected Ltd, Ministry of Justice Resourcing, The Civil Service Commission.
Diversity, inclusion and support
The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent. Reasonable adjustment support is available for candidates who need it; please arrange in advance of online tests or assessment centre.
Essential requirements
The following are essential for this role (text kept as originally stated):
* Able to work in English (and Welsh where specified in Wales).
* Physically active; must pass a medical and fitness assessment.
* Eyesight standard in both eyes (with or without correction).
* Suitable hearing without hearing aids for safety reasons.
* Tattoos permitted if non-offensive, non-discriminatory and not intimidating; facial tattoos generally not acceptable unless for cultural, religious or medical reasons.
* For high-security prisons, residency in the UK for the last 3 years.
* Driving licence and transport beneficial but not always essential; location and transport options should be considered.
* Criminal record check and baseline personnel security checks are required.
Pay, hours and benefits
* Salary varies by hours per week (e.g., 37, 39, or 41 hours per week); all figures include applicable allowances.
* 37 hours: £33,746; 39 hours: £35,875; 41 hours: £38,003 per year
* Shift patterns include evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays; 39-hour average is common.
* Benefits include 25 days holiday (rising to 30), public holidays, pension contributions, cycle to work and other benefits.
Additional information
Use of Artificial Intelligence in the application process is allowed, with emphasis on truthful and accurate disclosures from your own experience; plagiarism or misrepresentation may lead to withdrawal of applications.
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