Prison Officer – HMP Birmingham
HM Prison & Probation Service | Birmingham, West Midlands
20 positions available
Closing date: 17 September 2026
Job Overview
HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting Prison Officers at HMP Birmingham in Winson Green, Birmingham.
This is a permanent Operational Delivery role offering flexible working arrangements, including full-time, part-time and job-share options.
Prison officers play an important role in protecting the public while supporting prisoners to make positive changes in their lives.
You do not need previous prison officer experience or specific qualifications. The recruitment process focuses heavily on your personal qualities, communication skills, resilience, judgement and ability to work effectively with others.
Key Job Details
- Job title: Prison Officer – HMP Birmingham
- Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Location: HMP Birmingham, Winson Green Road, Birmingham, B18 4AS
- Region: Midlands
- Job reference: 476906
- Advertiser reference: 21261
- Grade: Administrative Officer
- Contract: Permanent
- Role type: Operational Delivery
- Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share
- Number of vacancies: 20
- Closing date: 17 September 2026
- Application deadline: 11:55 pm
Salary
The salary depends on contracted weekly hours:
- 37 hours per week: £34,928 per year
- 39 hours per week: £36,816 per year
- 41 hours per week: £39,334 per year
The advertised figures include applicable additional allowances for the role and location.
Important Sponsorship & Right-to-Work Information
Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not guaranteed.
The official advert 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 warns 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 are strongly advised to carefully check that they already have, or can maintain, the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.
Do not assume that this vacancy provides visa sponsorship.
What Does a Prison Officer Do?
Prison officers work directly with prisoners in a challenging and highly structured environment.
The role involves protecting the public, maintaining safety and security within the prison and developing constructive professional relationships with prisoners.
Depending on the situation, a prison officer may act as:
- A peacekeeper
- A mentor
- A counsellor
- A teacher
- A source of support
- A member of a security-focused team
Who Can Apply?
There is no specific qualification required to become a prison officer.
The employer is looking for people who can demonstrate:
- Strong communication skills
- Confidence when dealing with different people
- Empathy and understanding
- Resilience
- Self-confidence
- Good judgement
- Teamwork
- Integrity
- Commitment to quality
- Effective decision-making
- Ability to provide care and support
Essential Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old when employment begins
- Meet the Civil Service nationality requirements
- Pass the required medical assessment
- Pass the required fitness assessment
- Meet the required eyesight standard
- Meet the required hearing standard without hearing aids
- Be able to perform the spoken aspects of the role confidently in English
- Have the legal right to live and work in the UK and the Civil Service
Working Hours & Shift Patterns
Prisons operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Prison officers should therefore be prepared to work:
- Evenings
- Some nights
- Weekends
- Public holidays
Many prisons operate a changing shift pattern based around 39 hours per week.
Assessment & Recruitment Process
The recruitment process assesses the behaviours, strengths and abilities required to become an effective prison officer.
Key areas include:
- Communicating and influencing
- Managing a quality service
- Making effective decisions
- Caring
Stage 1 – Online Test
Applicants will be invited to complete an online test assessing basic judgement and numerical skills.
Stage 2 – Values-Based Assessment
Successful candidates may progress to the Values-Based Assessment (VBA), which assesses the values needed for the role.
Online Assessment Centre
Candidates who pass the required stages may progress to the Online Assessment Centre (OAC).
The OAC assesses the behaviours, strengths and abilities required of a prison officer.
Merit-Based Job Offers
This is a merit vacancy.
Successful candidates will be placed on a merit list according to their assessment score.
Candidates can remain on the merit list for up to 12 months, with offers made as vacancies become available.
Medical & Fitness Assessment
Candidates may be required to complete:
- Eyesight testing
- Hearing testing
- Basic health screening
- Blood pressure checks
- Fitness assessment
Medical and fitness assessments cannot be facilitated outside the UK.
Candidates must attend a UK-based assessment centre to progress their application.
Benefits
- 25 days’ annual leave
- Annual leave increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service
- 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
Civil Service 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
- Eligible individuals with settled or pre-settled status
- Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain
- Eligible Turkish nationals and certain family members
Applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK and Civil Service.
Security Checks
Successful candidates will be required to undergo the appropriate security checks, including an enhanced or equivalent criminal record check.
Artificial Intelligence & Applications
AI tools may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be:
- Truthful
- Factually accurate
- Based on the applicant’s own experience
Reasonable Adjustments
The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer and provides reasonable adjustment support during recruitment.
Candidates requiring adjustments should request support before completing online tests or attending an Online Assessment Centre.
Veterans
Eligible former members of the Armed Forces may qualify for a guaranteed interview under the Civil Service’s Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative, subject to the relevant criteria.
Job Summary
Position: Prison Officer
Location: HMP Birmingham, Birmingham
Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service
Salary: £34,928–£39,334 depending on contracted hours
Contract: Permanent
Vacancies: 20
Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible and job share
Reference: 476906
Closing date: 17 September 2026
Sponsorship: May be available subject to eligibility, but candidates requiring sponsorship are stated to be unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign
How to Apply
Applications are made through the official Ministry of Justice recruitment website.
Closing date: 17 September 2026 at 11:55 pm
Applicants should review the full official job description and eligibility requirements before applying.
Important Notice
Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed. Candidates requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should carefully consider the employer’s warning that such candidates are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign.
Always verify the latest requirements on the official vacancy page before applying.