Work as prison officer at HMP Elmley

Quick facts (Back to top)

A category B remand prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent
Great career specialisation and progression opportunities
Earn £37,246 to £41,503 as year as a prison officer

About Elmley Prison (Back to top)

HMP Elmley is the largest of the 3 prisons on the Isle of Sheppey, an island off the north coast of Kent. With a capacity of 1043 it accommodates adult male offenders, on remand from Kent courts, while they are awaiting their court hearing or trial.

What’s it like working as prison officer? (Back to top)

Could you see the person behind the sentence?
When thing are heading up, can you stay cool and calm in a conflict?
Would you step up for your team when things get tough?

You sound like a prison officer.

Find out more about life as a prison officer and the skills you need.

Inside Elmley Prison (Back to top)

Prisoners have access to a range of education and training opportunities, including level l and 2 English and Maths, information and communications technology (ICT) and City and Guilds construction certificates.

Also on offer are accredited courses in forklift truck driving and traffic management – with a guaranteed interview through the Mainstream Group, upon completion.

Prisoners have opportunities to work in on-site gardening, environmental services, recycling, cleaning, laundry and kitchen jobs. Every three months, a selection of employers visit HMP Elmley to offer job vacancies, apprenticeships and training opportunities to prisoners who are approaching their release dates.

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) provides a wide range of courses – including victim awareness, violence reduction, understanding reoffending triggers, and financial skills – to encourage prisoners to make positive changes in their lives.

Getting to Elmley Prison (Back to top)

With free onsite parking, HMP Elmley is a 30-minute drive from Maidstone. It’s easily accessible via the M2, with Canterbury and Dartford around a 40-minute drive away.

HMP Elmley isn’t easily accessible by public transport. The closest railway station is Sheerness, about 8 miles away, with a connecting bus service. As a prison officer, you will need to work shifts plus some unsocial hours and public holidays when public transport may not be running. You will therefore need your own transport.

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 £37,246 and £41,503 as a prison officer at HMP Elmley (includes a market supplement).

Find out more about prison officer pay.

As an employee of Elmley Prison, you will have access to a range of facilities and employee benefits including: