Prison Officer

Prison Officer – HMP High Down | £40,840–£45,379 Salary | 20 Vacancies

UK Based Applicants Only

HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting Prison Officers at HMP High Down in Sutton, London, with 20 positions available.

This is a permanent opportunity offering flexible working, full-time, part-time and job-share arrangements.

Job Overview

About the Prison Officer Role

Prison officers protect the public while supporting prisoners to make positive changes in their lives.

This is a varied and fast-paced career where officers may act as a peacekeeper, counsellor, teacher, role model or mentor depending on the situation.

You will work directly with prisoners and build constructive, professional relationships while helping maintain a safe and secure prison environment.

Teamwork is essential, and officers must work closely with colleagues to protect prisoners, staff and visitors.

The role involves different shifts, including evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays.

Who Can Apply?

You do not need specific qualifications to become a prison officer. Personal qualities and transferable skills are important.

The employer is looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Resilience and self-confidence
• Empathy and understanding
• Effective decision-making
• Commitment to quality
• Ability to build professional relationships
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Care and understanding

People from different backgrounds can apply, including those with experience in retail, teaching, parenting, the armed forces and other people-facing roles.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

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

Tattoos

Tattoos are permitted, including visible tattoos, provided they are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating.

Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable, except for cultural, religious or medical reasons.

High-Security Prison Requirement

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

Applicants should check the specific requirements applicable to the vacancy before applying.

Salary and Working Hours

The salary depends on the number of hours worked.

• 37 hours: £40,840 per year
• 39 hours: £43,290 per year
• 41 hours: £45,379 per year

Initial training is 37 hours per week.

After training, officers may work 37, 39 or 41 hours per week, subject to the available arrangements.

There may also be opportunities to work additional paid hours.

Working Pattern

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Employees may therefore be required to work:

• Evenings
• Some nights
• Weekends
• Public holidays
• Changing shift patterns

Benefits

Successful applicants can receive:

• 25 days’ annual leave
• Annual leave increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service
• Paid public holidays
• One additional privilege day
• Civil Service pension
• Employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Travel loans
• Other employee benefits and allowances

The employer states that it contributes £11,831 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme alongside the £40,840 salary.

Visa Sponsorship – Important Information

Skilled Worker Sponsorship Is Not Guaranteed

The vacancy states that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility and the UK Immigration Rules in force at the time of application.

However, the employer specifically 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.

Applicants should carefully consider their current right-to-work status before applying.

Do not assume that this vacancy provides guaranteed visa sponsorship.

Nationality Requirements

The position 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 with the required settled or pre-settled status
• Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme
• Eligible Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Successful applicants must maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK.

Travel to Work

Some prison establishments may have limited public transport.

A driving licence and personal transport can be beneficial but are not essential unless specifically stated.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring they can reliably travel to HMP High Down and arrive on time for fixed shift start times.

Recruitment and Assessment Process

Candidates will be assessed on the behaviours, strengths and abilities required to become an effective prison officer.

The assessment may include:

• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service
• Making effective decisions
• Caring
• Numerical ability
• Written English
• Spoken English
• Personal strengths

Stage 1 – Online Test

After the initial application, candidates who progress will be invited to complete the first online test.

This assesses basic judgement and numerical skills.

Stage 2 – Values-Based Assessment

Successful candidates will progress to the Values Based Assessment (VBA).

This assesses how well candidates demonstrate the values required of an effective prison officer.

Stage 3 – Online Assessment Centre

Candidates who achieve the required VBA pass mark may progress to the Online Assessment Centre (OAC).

The OAC assesses the behaviours, strengths and abilities required for prison officer duties.

Candidates who achieve higher predetermined VBA scores may be invited sooner, depending on assessment capacity.

Reapplying After an Unsuccessful Assessment

Candidates who were unsuccessful at Stage 2 within the previous six months can now reapply.

Merit Vacancy

This is a merit job vacancy.

Candidates who successfully complete the Online Assessment Centre will be placed on a merit list according to their assessment score.

When positions become available, job offers will be made to candidates with the highest scores first.

Candidates can remain on the merit list for up to 12 months.

Operational Support Grade Opportunity

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

Candidates who are unsuccessful for the prison officer position may, where appropriate, be offered an alternative OSG role.

Medical and Fitness Assessment

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

These may include:

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

Important: The employer cannot facilitate medical and fitness assessments outside the UK. Applicants must attend a UK-based assessment centre to progress.

Security Checks

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

Government asset workers must also complete the required Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks.

A medical assessment is required.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

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

• Truthful
• Factually accurate
• Based on your own experience

The employer warns that plagiarism or presenting AI-generated material or another person’s experience as your own may result in the application being withdrawn.

Reasonable Adjustments

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

Candidates who require adjustments should indicate this during the application process.

Requests should be made before completing online tests or attending the Online Assessment Centre.

Veterans

The Civil Service’s Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former Armed Forces members who meet the minimum criteria.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

The Ministry of Justice also participates in the Redeployment Interview Scheme for eligible Civil Service employees who are at risk of redundancy and meet the required criteria.

What Is It Really Like to Work as a Prison Officer?

An interactive activity is available to help applicants understand some situations prison officers may encounter during their working day.

The activity is designed to help candidates decide whether the role is right for them and does not form part of the application assessment.

How to Apply

Applications are being handled through the advertiser’s recruitment website.

Job Reference: 21315
Civil Service Reference: 477099
Closing Date: 17 September 2026 at 11:55 pm

Applicants should review the complete vacancy information and eligibility requirements before applying.

Applicant Contact

Recruitment Team: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team

Telephone: 0345 241 5358
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–6:00 pm

Quote job reference 21315 when contacting the recruitment team.

Final Reminder

This Prison Officer – HMP High Down vacancy offers 20 permanent positions in Sutton, London, with salaries of up to £45,379 per year, depending on contracted hours.

No specific qualifications are required, but candidates must demonstrate strong communication, decision-making, resilience, care and teamwork skills.

Important for applicants requiring sponsorship: The employer explicitly states that candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign.

Closing date: 17 September 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Disclaimer

This job information has been arranged from the vacancy details provided by the employer/Civil Service Jobs. Applicants should verify the latest requirements, salary, eligibility and sponsorship position on the official application page before applying.