Someone like you
Working in a prison is a truly unique experience. No two shifts are the same. You’ve got to be resilient, confident and a great communicator.
Our prison officers perform a vital role in society, in an environment like no other. We are peacekeepers, teachers, counsellors. You could be too.
As a prison officer, you’ll be part of a diverse team doing meaningful work in our prisons.
You’ll work with a range of people and perform a variety of tasks – from keeping the prison safe and secure, to helping vulnerable people through a difficult time in their lives.
Prisons can be unpredictable, but it’s about working together and keeping calm under pressure while enjoying the little things, like helping a prisoner learn a new skill or teaching them to view things from a new perspective.
It can be a challenging job, but in return you’ll get good pay, training and benefits, and have the support of a strong team.
Prison officer – an extraordinary job. Done by someone like you.
- No qualifications needed
- Starting salary of £34k to £40k for a 39 hour week
- Skills you need: resilience, an ability to think on your feet, great communication skills, a team player
- A physically active job, requiring a medical and fitness assessment
- Training for every situation
- Be part of a strong, supportive team
Pay and benefits
Your pay depends on where you work in England and Wales, and your weekly shift hours.
You’ll start on a 37 hour contract until you have completed your initial training. You can then choose to increase your hours to 39 or 41 hours a week.
You can also earn more if overtime is available in your prison. Plus you’ll enjoy one of the best pension schemes in the UK and a range of great Civil Service benefits.
| Band 3 prison officer (39 hour week including 20% unsocial hours allowance) | |
| Inner London | £40,367 |
| Outer London | £38,357 to £40,357* |
| South and South East | £36,494* to £37,994* |
| Other locations | £34,494 |
Take a look at the full starting salary information for HMPPS prisons across England and Wales.
Once you have qualified, you’ll have a range of opportunities to specialise and progress your career and earning potential.
Find out more about the benefits of working for HM Prison and Probation Service