Quick facts (Back to top)
- A category C training prison and young offender institution in County Durham
- Comprehensive training
- Earn between £34,928 to £39,334 a year
About Deerbolt Prison (Back to top)
HMP/YOI Deerbolt is close to the historic market town of Barnard Castle in County Durham, north-east England.
With a capacity of 500 men aged 18 and over, Deerbolt Prison is a category C training prison and young offender institution (YOI).
What’s it like working as a prison officer? (Back to top)
As a prison officer, no two shifts are the same. Working as part of a supportive team, you’ll have good days and tough days. You’ll need to be resilient, have great communication skills, self-confidence and an ability to think on your feet.
Find out more about life as a prison officer and the skills you need.
I am a team player. As a prison officer, I enjoy the relationship with staff and professional working relationships with prisoners.
Deerbolt Prison is a great place to work because I feel I have a sense of community with staff. ”
Inside Deerbolt Prison (Back to top)
To help them make the most of their time in prison and learn new skills, prisoners in HMP/YOI Deerbolt have access to the following:
- Interventions that address their thinking, attitudes and behaviours which may lead them to reoffend.
- A range of core curriculum and further education qualifications.
- Onsite workshops where they can gain a wide range of vocational qualifications in subjects such as catering, construction, computer repair and operating a forklift.
- Health and fitness-related qualifications.
- Plus a range of other constructive, purposeful activities to make the most of their time in custody.
Getting to Deerbolt Prison (Back to top)
With plenty of free onsite parking for staff, HMP/YOI Deerbolt is in a rural setting about a mile from the historic market town of Barnards Castle and 17 miles from Darlington.
The nearest main line rail station is Darlington, which is about a 20-minute bus journey away. Prisons run to tight time schedules so you will need to plan your travel to ensure you are at work and ready to start your shift on time. This could mean travelling at times when local public transport isn’t running.
How long will it take you to get there? (Back to top)
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Pay and benefits (Back to top)
As a prison officer, you will start on a 37 hour a week contract until you have completed your initial training. You can then choose to increase your hours to 39 or 41 hours. This means you could earn between £34,928 and £39,334 as a prison officer at HMP/YOI Deerbolt.
Find out more about prison officer pay.
As an employee of Deerbolt Prison, you will have access to a range of facilities and employee benefits including:
- use of a free onsite gym
- extensive free onsite parking
- comprehensive training, with dedicated training mornings
- excellent career progression opportunities
- an onsite bistro serving hot and cold meals and drinks
- family friendly shift patterns, with regular rest days
This is in addition to the great benefits you get from being a part of HM Prison and Probation Service.
Flexible working patterns (Back to top)
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that supports a healthy work-life balance. Flexible working options, including flexible working hours, compressed hours and part-time hours, may be available subject to role requirements and business needs. Following a recent review, we have introduced a 4 day shift pattern.