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Prison Officer

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Prison Officer Jobs at HMP Bullingdon – 20 Vacancies, Salary Up to £42,834

Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS)
Location: HMP Bullingdon, Patrick Haugh Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX25 1PZ
Salary: £38,428–£42,834 per year, depending on weekly hours
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share options
Vacancies: 20
Job Grade: Administrative Officer
Reference Number: 473453
Closing Date: 29 October 2026 at 11:55 pm

Visa Sponsorship Information

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available, but applicants who require sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored in this recruitment campaign.

HMPPS states that sponsorship is not guaranteed and depends on eligibility and the UK immigration rules in force at the time of application. Applicants should carefully check their right to work in the UK before applying.

This opportunity is therefore not a reliable option for applicants who need new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

About the Role

HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting 20 Prison Officers at HMP Bullingdon in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Prison Officers play an important role in protecting the public, maintaining safety within the prison and supporting prisoners to make positive changes in their lives.

The job involves working directly with prisoners, building professional relationships, managing challenging situations and working closely with colleagues to maintain a safe and secure environment.

You could find yourself acting as a mentor, mediator, teacher or source of support, depending on the situation. The role requires resilience, empathy, confidence and good communication skills.

Salary and Working Hours

Your salary will depend on the number of hours you work each week.

  • 37 hours per week: £38,428 per year
  • 39 hours per week: £40,316 per year
  • 41 hours per week: £42,834 per year

Initial training is 37 hours per week. After training, you can choose from the available 37-, 39- or 41-hour working patterns.

The salary figures include applicable allowances for the role and location.

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You must be prepared to work a shift pattern that may include evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays.

Additional paid hours may also be available.

Who Can Apply?

You do not need specific academic qualifications to become a Prison Officer. The employer places significant importance on personal qualities, communication and decision-making skills.

You should be able to demonstrate:

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  • Effective communication and influencing skills.
  • A commitment to maintaining high standards.
  • Good judgement and effective decision-making.
  • Care, empathy and understanding.
  • Resilience and the ability to manage challenging situations.
  • The ability to work effectively as part of a team.

People from different professional backgrounds, including retail, teaching, the armed forces and other customer-facing roles, may have relevant transferable skills.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years old when they start employment.
  • Meet the Civil Service nationality requirements.
  • Pass the required medical and fitness assessments.
  • Meet the required eyesight standards, with and without corrective lenses.
  • Meet the required hearing standard without hearing aids.
  • Have the right to live and work in the UK and maintain that right throughout employment.

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

Important: Applicants for category A high-security prisons must have been resident in the UK for the previous three years. HMP Bullingdon is the named establishment for this vacancy, so check the employer’s requirements for this specific role.

A driving licence and access to a vehicle may be beneficial because public transport options around some prison establishments are limited. However, these are not essential unless otherwise specified.

Training and Recruitment Process

Successful candidates must complete the employer’s recruitment and assessment stages.

1. Initial application

Submit your application through the official recruitment website.

2. Online tests

Candidates who progress will be invited to complete an initial online test covering basic judgement and numerical skills.

3. Values-Based Assessment

Successful candidates will proceed to a second online assessment designed to evaluate the values needed to become an effective Prison Officer.

Applicants who achieve the required score may be invited to the next stage as assessment places become available.

Candidates who were unsuccessful in the second online test during the previous six months may now reapply.

4. Online Assessment Centre

The assessment centre evaluates the behaviours, strengths and abilities required for the role. Assessments include communication, decision-making, maintaining a quality service and caring.

Numerical, written English and spoken English abilities will also be assessed.

5. Medical and fitness assessment

When a suitable vacancy is identified, candidates will be invited to complete medical and fitness checks, including eyesight, hearing and basic health screening.

Medical and fitness assessments cannot be arranged outside the UK. Candidates must attend a UK-based assessment centre to progress.

How Are Successful Applicants Selected?

This is a merit-based vacancy. Candidates who pass the online assessment centre will be placed on a merit list according to their scores.

Job offers will be made to the highest-scoring candidates as positions become available. The merit list can remain valid for up to 12 months.

If unsuccessful at the sift or assessment stage, applicants will be subject to a six-month waiting period before submitting another application for a Prison Officer position.

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Candidates who are unsuccessful in their Prison Officer application may also be considered for an Operational Support Grade (OSG) position, depending on their assessment results and available opportunities.

Benefits of Working for HMPPS

Successful candidates can receive:

  • 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 10 years of service.
  • Paid time off for public holidays.
  • One additional privilege day.
  • Membership of the Civil Service pension scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
  • Cycle-to-work scheme.
  • Travel loans and other employee benefits.
  • Opportunities to work additional paid hours.

Security Checks

Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced criminal record check, appropriate government security checks and a medical assessment.

Candidates who require reasonable adjustments for online tests or the assessment centre should request support in advance through the application form.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should review the full job requirements and submit their application through the official HM Prison & Probation Service recruitment portal.

Application deadline: 29 October 2026 at 11:55 pm.

vacancy source: Civil Service Jobs – Prison Officer, HMP Bullingdon

Job reference: 20523 / Civil Service reference 473453

Important Note

Although the advert mentions that Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available, HMPPS explicitly states that candidates who require sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored in this campaign. Applicants should verify their individual eligibility and right-to-work position before applying.

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