Prison Officer

Prison Officer – HMP Stocken | £36,928–£41,334 Salary | 20 Vacancies

Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service
Department: Ministry of Justice
Location: HMP Stocken, 2 Stocken Hall Road, Stretton, Oakham, LE15 7RD
Town/City: Melton Mowbray
Region: Midlands / East Midlands
Job Reference: 473667
Advertiser Reference: 20604
Job Grade: Administrative Officer
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible Working, Job Share
Number of Vacancies: 20
Closing Date: 3 September 2026
Salary: £36,928–£41,334 per year
Visa Sponsorship: Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility, but candidates requiring sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign.

Prison Officer Job Opportunity at HMP Stocken

HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting 20 Prison Officers at HMP Stocken in the East Midlands.

This is an opportunity to build a career in the UK Civil Service while helping protect the public, maintain safety and security, and support prisoners during their time in custody.

No specific qualifications are required. The employer is looking for applicants who can demonstrate communication skills, resilience, empathy, integrity, sound judgement and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Salary and Working Hours

The salary structure is:

• 37 hours per week: £36,928 per year
• 39 hours per week: £38,816 per year
• 41 hours per week: £41,334 per year

The starting salary for a 39-hour week, including the applicable 20% unsocial hours allowance, is £38,816.

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Shifts may therefore include evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays.

Additional paid hours may also be available.

About the Prison Officer Role

Prison officers play an important role in protecting the public and maintaining a safe, secure and decent prison environment.

The position involves working directly with prisoners and building constructive, positive and professional relationships.

Depending on the situation, you may act as a peacekeeper, mentor, teacher, communicator or problem solver.

Key Responsibilities

As a Prison Officer, you may be required to:

• Maintain prison safety and security.
• Protect the public by managing prisoners safely.
• Build positive professional relationships with prisoners.
• Communicate effectively with prisoners and colleagues.
• Respond appropriately to challenging situations.
• Make effective decisions under pressure.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues.
• Support prisoners in making positive changes.
• Follow security procedures and operational policies.
• Maintain professional standards.
• Contribute to a safe, decent and secure environment.
• Work a variety of shifts as required.

Who Can Apply?

There is no specific qualification requirement for becoming a prison officer.

The employer values applicants who demonstrate:

• Strong communication skills
• Influencing skills
• Resilience
• Empathy and understanding
• Effective decision-making
• Good judgement
• Commitment to quality
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Confidence when dealing with challenging situations

Transferable experience from areas such as retail, teaching, customer service, the armed forces or other people-focused roles may be valuable.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old when employment begins.
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Have the legal right to live and work in the UK.
• Pass the required medical assessment.
• Pass the required fitness assessment.
• Meet the required eyesight standards.
• Meet the required hearing standard.
• Be able to fulfil the spoken aspects of the role confidently in English.

Tattoos are permitted provided they are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not accepted except for cultural, religious or medical reasons.

UK Residency Requirement

For work in a high-security Category A prison, applicants must generally have been resident in the UK for the previous three years.

Visa Sponsorship Information

Important for international applicants: The vacancy states that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available, subject to eligibility and the UK Immigration Rules applicable at the time of application.

However, the employer explicitly states that candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign because of current immigration requirements and recruitment timescales.

Therefore, this vacancy should not be considered a guaranteed visa sponsorship opportunity.

Applicants should carefully confirm that they have, or can maintain, the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

Nationality Requirements

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:

• UK nationals
• Republic of Ireland nationals
• Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK
• Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals
• Individuals with eligible settled or pre-settled status
• Individuals with qualifying limited or indefinite leave to remain
• Certain Turkish nationals and eligible family members with Civil Service work rights

Benefits

Successful applicants may receive:

• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 10 years
• Paid public holidays
• One additional privilege day
• Civil Service pension
• 28.97% employer pension contribution
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Travel loans
• Other Civil Service benefits
• Opportunities for additional paid hours

Recruitment and Assessment Process

The recruitment process includes several stages.

Initial Application

Candidates complete the initial application form before progressing to online assessments if successful.

Online Tests

The first online test assesses basic judgement and numerical skills expected of a prison officer.

Successful candidates may then complete a Values-Based Assessment (VBA).

Online Assessment Centre

Candidates who meet the required VBA standard may progress to an Online Assessment Centre (OAC).

The OAC assesses the behaviours, strengths and abilities required for the Prison Officer role.

Candidates who achieve higher predetermined VBA scores may be invited sooner where assessment capacity varies.

Merit Vacancy and Job Offers

This is a merit vacancy.

Successful candidates will be placed on a merit list according to their assessment scores.

When positions become available, offers are generally made to candidates with the highest scores first.

Candidates may remain on the merit list for 12 months.

Operational Support Grade Opportunity

The Online Assessment Centre may also assess candidates for an Operational Support Grade (OSG) position.

Candidates who are unsuccessful for the Prison Officer role may potentially be considered for an alternative OSG position.

Medical and Fitness Assessment

Candidates identified for a vacancy will be required to complete medical and fitness assessments.

These may include:

• Eyesight testing
• Hearing testing
• Basic health screening
• Blood pressure checks
• Fitness assessment

Medical and fitness assessments cannot be completed outside the UK.

Candidates must attend a UK-based assessment centre to progress their application.

Travel to HMP Stocken

HMP Stocken is located in a rural area where public transport may be limited.

A driving licence and personal transport may therefore be beneficial, although they are not essential unless specifically stated.

Applicants should consider their transport arrangements carefully because shift start and finish times are fixed.

Security Checks

Successful candidates must undergo the appropriate security checks, including an enhanced or equivalent criminal record check.

Government asset workers must also complete applicable Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

AI tools may support an application, but all examples and statements must be:

• Truthful
• Factually accurate
• Based on the applicant’s own experience

Applicants must not submit AI-generated or copied experiences as their own.

Reasonable Adjustment Support

The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer and provides reasonable adjustment support.

Applicants requiring adjustments should indicate this on the application form and arrange support before completing online assessments.

Veterans

The Civil Service operates the Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Eligible former Armed Forces members who meet the minimum criteria may benefit from the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

Job Summary

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official Ministry of Justice recruitment website.

Closing date: 11:55 pm on Thursday, 3 September 2026.

Apply here:
https://justicejobs.avature.net/careers/JobDetail/20604

Applicants should review the full official vacancy requirements before applying.

Contact Information

Recruitment Team: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
Email: Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Telephone: 0845 241 5358
Job Reference: 20604

Important Sponsorship Warning

Although Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility, the employer explicitly states that candidates requiring sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign.

Applicants should therefore ensure they have the appropriate UK right to work before applying.

Final Reminder

This is a permanent Prison Officer opportunity with 20 vacancies at HMP Stocken, offering salary rates from £36,928 to £41,334 depending on contracted hours.

Closing date: 3 September 2026.

Apply through the official employer website before the deadline.