The Job

Prison officers supervise inmates in prisons, remand centres and young offenders' institutions. Their work will vary according to the type of prison, its level of security and the age of the prisoners. The duties of a prison officer are likely to include:

• keeping inmates secure
• assessing prisoners
• carrying out security checks and search procedures
• supervising prisoners
• maintaining order - this can involve using authorised physical control and restraint
• preparing inmates for release through rehabilitation programmes
• providing support to prisoners who are vulnerable
• taking part in programmes to help prisoners look at their offending behaviour.

Some officers are also instructors in work-related areas such as catering or horticulture (see profile on Prison Instructors). Some officers specialise and work as health care officers or physical training instructors.

Prison Officers write reports on prisoners. Senior officers have additional duties such as training staff and supervising a section of a prison.

Hours and Environment

Prison officers usually work 39 hours a week on a shift pattern that includes nights and weekends. There are opportunities for part-time work and job-share.

The work is mainly indoors although prison officers often work outdoors when patrolling the grounds or supervising recreation.

Prison officers will sometimes need to use physical force when restraining a prisoner.

Your first post may be with a local prison but you may need to move to another part of the country for work. 

Skills and Interests

As a prison officer you should:

• enjoy working with people from all walks of life
• be able to establish good working relationships, gain trust and act fairly in disputes
• have an open mind, be patient, understanding and committed to helping people
• be able to work in a structured environment where rules and discipline apply
• be able to stay calm, assess a situation, and cope with pressure
• be firm and able to exercise authority with prisoners who are abusive and possibly violent
• be able to work as part of a team.

Entry

There are separate prison services for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are also some private prisons. Entry qualifications and training vary between these services. General entry requirements are listed below.

To apply to the prison service, you need:

• to be between age 18 and 62 in England and Wales, and between 20 and 57 in Scotland
• to be a British or Commonwealth citizen, British Protected Person, or EU national (there are exceptions) with indefinite leave to remain  - for some posts you need to have lived in the UK for three years  
• to declare any convictions
• to pass medical, eyesight and fitness tests (for details check the prison service website).

If you are selected to join the prison service, checks will be made on your health, character, reliability and identity.

Any experience gained in the armed forces or police, as a security officer or probation officer will be useful. If you have practical skills or qualifications in a trade such as engineering, building, catering, metalwork, physical education, horticulture or nursing this will also be helpful.  

England and Wales
When looking to join the prison service you will complete an application, and skills assessment form. Success at this point leads to the Prison Officer Selection Tests which focus on your ability with numbers and language. The final stage is a Job Simulation Assessment Centre which concentrates on role plays and identifying your interpersonal skills. You will go through this process regardless of your academic qualifications.

Scotland
To be a prison officer in Scotland you need five S grades (1-3) including English and maths, or equivalent, or three years' experience of working with people. Relevant experience can be gained from employment, education or voluntary work. Following a successful application, you will attend an assessment day including an interview and tests on your verbal reasoning and numerical skills.

Northern Ireland
The prison service in Northern Ireland has not been recruiting new staff over recent years. For more details contact them directly (see Further Information).

Training

England and Wales
Your first few weeks as a prison officer will involve a period of induction training. This will include situational role plays aimed at preparing you for your new role working with inmates. If you're working with young people you will receive additional specialist training.

During your first year of service you will continue to receive on-the-job training, and you will be supported and assessed by experienced staff. Many prison officers are also encouraged to complete NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Custodial Care.

Scotland
As a new prison officer in Scotland, you will spend a week in a prison followed by six weeks at the Scottish Prison Service College. Within your first two years of service, you will also be expected to achieve SVQ Level 3 in Custodial Care.

Opportunities

In England and Wales, recruitment is carried out by individual institutions. Vacancies are advertised locally in Jobcentres, the local press and through the prison service website (see Further Information for details).

In Scotland, recruitment is carried out centrally at the prison service headquarters.

Home Office policy in England and Wales is to recruit more civilian instructors. Therefore, opportunities for prison officers to combine their work with instructing and training is declining. In Scotland there is a greater chance to mix the main prison officer tasks with instructing or training duties.

You could be promoted to senior officer. This is decided by examination and interview, and you will need at least two years’ service as an officer before you can apply. It is possible to progress from senior officer to governor grades.

In England and Wales the prison service operates an Intensive Development Scheme for graduates, which offers early progression to senior grades. Check the Prison Governor job profile for details.

Privately-run prisons and security organisations are increasingly taking on escort and prisoner transfer duties. Contracted out prisons in England and Wales are listed on the HM Prison Service website.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

In England and Wales, the starting salary is £17,400 a year.
This can rise up to £26,500 year with long service.
Senior officers can earn between £28,200 and £30,650 a year.

Additional local pay allowances may be available.

In Scotland, a prison officer starts on £14,400 a year.
The top of the pay scale is currently £19,200 a year.

Further information

Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3SU
Tel: 028 9052 5065

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