About The Isle of Sheppey prisons
There are 3 prisons on the Isle of Sheppey, an island off the northern coast of Kent:
- HMP Swaleside is a men’s high security prison
- HMP Elmley is a category B local prison that houses men on remand to the local courts
- HMP Stanford Hill is a category D open prison for men who have a maximum of 5 years until their release from custody
While we’ll aim to find you a role in the prison you select as your preferred choice during the application process, this may not always be possible due to current operational requirements.
Inside HMP Swaleside
With a capacity of 1,112 men, HMP Swaleside is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men convicted of serious offences can make positive use of their long sentences.
Prisoners have access to a range of learning opportunities – from basic skills, such as English and Maths, to distance learning with the Open University – provided by Amersham and Wickham College. The prison is also part of the Prisons ICT Academy (PICTA), which helps prepare prisoners for work in ICT roles.
Individuals work in a variety of areas in the prison, such as industrial cleaning and engineering. They are also employed by a number of industrial workshops through contracts with external businesses.
We’re not currently recruiting prison officers at Swaleside Prison
We can let you know when vacancies open.
Inside HMP Elmley
The largest of the prisons on the Isle of Sheppey, with a capacity of 1,230 men, HMP Elmley is a remand prison for offenders who are awaiting a trial date.
Prisoners have access to a range of education and training opportunities, including level 2 English and Maths, information and communications technology (ICT) and City and Guilds construction certificates. The prison’s ‘In House Records’ record label gives prisoners an opportunity to learn how to play, create, mix and manage music.
Also on offer are accredited courses in forklift truck driving, street works and traffic management – with a guaranteed interview through the Mainstream group, upon completion.
Prisoners are employed 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.
We’re not currently recruiting prison officers at Elmley Prison
We can let you know when vacancies open.
Inside HMP Stanford Hill
With a capacity of 464 men, HMP Stanford Hill is a category D open prison for men approaching the end of their sentences. Its main focus is on prisoners doing reparative or paid work in the community. Prisoners also work in the onsite workshop and horticulture department.
The prison’s education department offers a range of full and part-time learning and vocational training opportunities. Men can also engage in further and higher education on site, through distance learning, the local college, or on day-release to universities.
We’re not currently recruiting prison officers at Standford Hill Prison
We can let you know when vacancies open.
Working at an Isle of Sheppey prison
As an employee of HMP Elmley, HMP Stanford Hill or HMP Swaleside, you’ll have access to a range of facilities and employee benefits including:
- use of a free onsite gym
- free onsite parking
- excellent training and career progression
This is in addition to the great benefits you get from being a part of HM Prison and Probation Service.
How to get to the Isle of Sheppey prisons
With ample parking at all 3 sites, the Isle of Sheppey is a 30-minute drive from Maidstone. It’s also easily accessible via the M2 – around 40 minutes from Canterbury and Dartford.
The closest railway station is Sheerness, about 8 miles away from the prison complex, with a connecting bus service.
Find the Isle of Sheppey prisons on a map (opens in a new tab)
Find out more about the prison officer role
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