If you have an ambition to lead where it matters, we’re looking for future leaders to join our three-year Future Prison Leaders Programme.
A leadership programme like no other
Being a prison leader is an extraordinary job, and it can be done by someone like you. If the idea of leading teams through challenging situations while focusing on rehabilitation, protecting lives and maintaining security makes you tick, the Future Prison Leaders Programme is for you.
This leadership programme like no other will see you fast-track your way from prison officer to a senior leader running your own prison department in just 3 years. With a comprehensive training programme and clear progression path, you will gain first-hand experience of working in a variety of roles and prisons to give you the skills and knowledge you’ll need to be a future prison leader.
There will be places for up to 35 talented future leaders on this exclusive programme. So, if you’re ready to take the first step towards an extraordinary career, read on to find out more.
Become a prison leader: build a long-term career with real impact
- Qualifications and experience: you’ll need a degree/level 6 equivalent qualification when you start on the programme, or people management experience
- Benefit from a three-year accelerated leadership programme with comprehensive training and a clear career progression path
- Gain first-hand experience of prison roles and different types of prison to prepare you to lead in a custodial environment
How much you will earn on the Future Prison Leaders Programme
All figures below are subject to an annual pay review, with any increases effective from 1 April. Increases for 2025/6 will be published around June 2025.
As a future prison leader, you will gain first-hand experience of the workings of a prison and gain the skills and experience you need to work with prisoners.
Your first year will see you working on the frontline as a prison officer. This is where, alongside your development work, you will learn the realities of working on the ground and building positive and meaningful interactions with prisoners.
Year 1 salary
Your pay will depend on where you work in England and Wales, and your weekly shift hours.
You will be contracted to work 37 hours a week. Once you have completed your prison officer foundation training, you will be able to choose to increase your hours to 39 or 41 hours a week in year one of the leadership programme. The majority of prison officers opt to work 39 hours. The figures below include a 20% unsocial hours allowance.
| 37 hours | 39 hours | 41 hours | |
| Inner London prisons | £37,973 | £40,367 | £42,762 |
| Outer London prisons | £36,082 | £38,357 | £40,632 |
| National prisons | £32,448 | £34,494 | £36,541 |
Years 2 and 3 salaries
Following thorough training, and subject to you passing the necessary assessments, you will progress into leadership roles in years 2 and 3.
Indicative pay levels for years 2 and 3, based on rates as at 1 April 2024, are shown below.
| Year 2* | Year 3** | |
| Inner London prisons | £47,263 | £66,180 |
| Outer London prisons | £45,362 | £64,188 |
| Prisons in other locations | £41,712 | £60,364 |
*year 2 figures are based on working 37 hours a week and include a 20% unsocial hours allowance.
**year 3 figures are based on working 37 hours a week and include a required hours allowance.
A range of employee benefits
As well as a generous annual leave allowance and one of the best pension schemes in the UK, you’ll enjoy a range of great Civil Service benefits.
Find out more about the benefits of working for HM Prison and Probation Service.