If you have previously worked as a prison officer or youth justice worker for HM Prison and Probation Service, our Returners’ scheme will help you fast track your way back.
If you left within the last 5 years, you will not have to re-do your training or complete your probation period again. And you could be back with us in as little as 6 weeks. There’ll be no online tests and no online assessment centre.
Eligibility
Prison officer returners
You can apply to return as a prison officer if you:
- have left within the last 5 years
- previously worked as a prison officer at band 3, 4 or 5
- completed your full probation period as a prison officer
If your application is successful, you’ll be re-appointed at band 3 level, pay point 2.
Fast track your way back to becoming a prison officer
Ready to come back to doing meaningful work in a role like no other?
Youth justice worker returners
You can apply to return as a youth justice worker if you:
- have left within the last 5 years
- previously worked as a youth justice worker at band 3 or 4
- completed your full probationary period as a youth justice worker
Successful Band 3 applicants will be re-appointed on the band 3, pay point 2 salary. All successful band 4 applicants will be re-appointed on the band 4 salary.
If you were previously a band 3 working towards your youth justice worker specialist role, you can return to that grade and we’ll support you to complete the level 4 child-focussed qualification. Once qualified, you can become a band 4 specialist youth justice worker.
When you return to work as a band 3 youth justice worker you’ll have an agreed timeframe to complete your level 4 qualification. If you do not complete it, you’ll be offered a position as a prison officer in an adult prison.
If you were previously a band 4 youth justice worker and successfully completed either the UNITAS or level 4 child-focused qualification, you can return to that grade.
Fast track your way back to becoming a youth justice worker
Ready to come back and make a positive impact on young lives?
Benefits of applying
You will not have to complete a lengthy application process or repeat your prison officer or youth justice worker training.
Once you have been allocated to a prison or Young Offender Institution (YOI), passed a fitness test (opens in a new tab), an occupational health assessment and pre-employment checks, you’ll be ready to start.
You can choose to work on a permanent basis or on a temporary 3, 6 or 9 month contract. You’ll also have an option to work full-time or part-time hours.
If you get a Civil Service pension, or annual compensation payment (ACP) and want to avoid deductions from your pension, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss working hours with your line manager before starting in post. Find out more about pension abatement (opens in a new tab)
Simply select up to 3 prisons, or 2 YOIs, you’d like to work at. If your application is successful and there’s no vacancy in one of your preferred prison or YOI choices, you’ll be placed on a merit list until one is available.
Not ready to apply yet? Or left more than 5 years ago?
Sign up to our alumni network to keep in touch. You’ll get updates on our vacancies sent direct to your inbox so you can apply when the time is right for you.
Sign up to our Prison Service Alumni Network (opens in a new tab)