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Prison Officer Returners scheme: Long-Term High Security prisons

Returners’ scheme for Long-Term High Security prisons

If you have previously worked as a prison officer in our Long-Term High Security Estate for HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and left within the last 5 years, you can return without having to re-do your foundation training or completing your probation period again. Having previously demonstrated your suitability for the role, there’ll be no online tests and no online assessment centre.

Fast track your way back to working in a Long-Term High Security prison and apply your skills and experience where they really matter.

Eligibility

Returning to a Long-Term High Security prison

You can apply to return to work as a prison officer in a Long-Term High Security prison at HMPPS if you:

  • left a HMPPS Long-Term High Security prison within the last 5 years at band 3 or a higher grade 
  • completed your HMPPS prison officer foundation training  

(If you were a prison officer who did not work in a Long-Term High Security prison and are interested in returning, please find further details on our main prison officer returners page.)

Fast track your way back to working as a prison officer in our Long-Term High Security prisons

Ready to come back to a Long-Term High Security prison doing meaningful work in a role like no other, or have further questions?

Email us at PrisonsResourcing-Projects@justice.gov.uk. We will be in contact to discuss your needs and support you with the next step.

Benefits of applying

With the wealth of experience you bring, returning officers play an integral role in Long-Term High Security prison teams and your skills and experience are highly valued. 

That’s why we have prioritised increased flexibility and a quicker and more streamlined process for returning officers than the standard application process. 

Streamlined application process: As a returning prison officer you will not have to complete a lengthy application process or repeat your prison officer foundation training. 

Once your eligibility checks have been confirmed, you will be allocated to your choice of prison and be required to pass a medical & fitness test (opens in a new tab), an occupational health pre-employment online screening and pre-employment checks.  Once these are completed, you’ll be ready to start. 

Dedicated support to return: You will have access to a dedicated Returners team who can answer your questions about returning to work in a Long-Term High Security prison including discussing available vacancies, full-time, part-time and work-life balance arrangements and salary upon returning. The team will also support you during the streamlined recruitment process. 

If you get a Civil Service pension, or annual compensation payment (ACP) and want to avoid a reduction in your pension, you’ll need to consider part-time options.  There will be an opportunity to discuss available working hours before accepting an offer of re-employment. Find out more about pension abatement (opens in a new tab) 

Pay and benefits: Prison officers received an average pay uplift of 5% in 2024/25 and an average pay uplift of 4% in 2025/26. Once in post, you’ll enjoy the full range of Civil Service benefits too including 25 days of annual leave (rising to 30 after 10 years’ service, pro rata), generous pension contributions of nearly 29%, paid public holidays and an extra privilege day, plus access to schemes such as cycle-to-work, travel loans, and more.  Find out more about the full range of benefits. 

Purpose: As you know, life as a prison officer is built on teamwork. You’ll return to a close-knit group of colleagues who look out for each other and share a strong sense of purpose. 

Few jobs offer the chance to make such a direct and positive impact every single day. By returning, you’ll once again play a vital role in protecting the public and shaping safer communities.

Benefits of returning  

  • Be part of a close-knit, supportive team
  • Streamlined recruitment process
  • Dedicated support to return

Ready to come back to a Long-Term High Security prison doing meaningful work in a role like no other, or have further questions?

Email us at PrisonsResourcing-Projects@justice.gov.uk and we will get in contact to discuss your needs and support you with the next step.

Not ready to apply yet?

Join our Prison Service Alumni Network to keep in touch and apply when the time is right for you. Receive regular updates on the prison officer returners’ scheme and be one of the first to find out when opportunities open to return to work in other roles at HMPPS.

Sign up to our Prison Service Alumni Network (opens in a new tab)