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Prison Officer

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Prison Officer – HMP Frankland | 20 Vacancies | £34,928–£39,334 per year

HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting Prison Officers at HMP Frankland in Durham, North East England. This permanent opportunity offers a Civil Service pension, paid annual leave and flexible working options, including part-time and job-share arrangements.

No formal qualifications are required, but applicants must demonstrate strong communication skills, sound judgement, resilience and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Job Summary

  • Job title: Prison Officer – HMP Frankland
  • Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service
  • Location: HMP Frankland, Brasside, Durham, DH1 5YA
  • Salary: £34,928–£39,334 per year, depending on weekly hours
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share
  • Hours: 37, 39 or 41 hours per week after initial training
  • Number of vacancies: 20
  • Job grade: Administrative Officer
  • Job reference: 473488
  • Closing date: 26 November 2026, at 11:55 pm
  • Visa sponsorship: Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available, but applicants requiring sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this recruitment campaign.

About the Role

As a Prison Officer at HMP Frankland, you will help maintain a safe, secure and decent prison environment while supporting prisoners to make positive changes in their lives.

The role involves working directly with prisoners, maintaining professional boundaries, responding to challenging situations and helping protect the public. You will need to demonstrate integrity, confidence, empathy and resilience.

Prison Officers work as part of a team to maintain safety and security throughout the establishment. The position is varied, and you may take on different responsibilities throughout your working day.

Key Responsibilities

  • Maintain safety, security and order within the prison.
  • Build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners.
  • Communicate clearly and confidently with prisoners and colleagues.
  • Respond appropriately to challenging situations and make effective decisions.
  • Support prisoners while maintaining professional boundaries.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to keep the prison environment safe.
  • Deliver a consistent, professional service while following prison procedures.

Salary and Working Hours

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

  • 37 hours per week: £34,928 per year
  • 39 hours per week: £36,816 per year
  • 41 hours per week: £39,334 per year

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

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

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

Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work

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 explicitly states that candidates requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored under this recruitment campaign.

Sponsorship is not guaranteed. Applicants must ensure they have, and can maintain, the appropriate right to work in the UK.

Important for applicants outside the UK: This role requires proof of UK residency for the three years immediately before applying to satisfy the Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC) vetting requirement. Applicants who do not meet this residency requirement cannot take up the position at HMP Frankland.

The employer also requires candidates to attend medical and fitness assessments at a UK-based assessment centre. These assessments cannot be arranged outside the UK.

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If you need a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK, carefully review these restrictions before applying.

Essential Requirements

You do not need formal qualifications to become a Prison Officer. The employer is looking for applicants who can demonstrate the right personal qualities and abilities.

You must:

  • Be at least 18 years old when you start employment.
  • Meet the Civil Service nationality requirements.
  • Pass the required medical and fitness assessments.
  • Meet the eyesight requirements in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses.
  • Meet the required hearing standard without hearing aids.
  • Demonstrate effective communication and influencing skills.
  • Show commitment to delivering a quality service.
  • Make sound and effective decisions.
  • Demonstrate care, understanding and resilience.
  • Be able to work shifts, including some weekends and nights.

Visible 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.

Nationality Requirements

The vacancy is open to eligible applicants who meet the Civil Service nationality and right-to-work requirements. Eligible groups include:

  • UK nationals.
  • Republic of Ireland nationals.
  • Commonwealth nationals who have the right to work in the UK.
  • Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals with the required settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
  • Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who meet the applicable requirements.
  • Eligible Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Meeting the nationality requirements does not remove the separate UK residency and security vetting requirements for this particular prison.

Benefits of Working for HM Prison & Probation Service

Successful candidates can access a range of Civil Service benefits, including:

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

Recruitment and Assessment Process

Applicants will complete several assessment stages to determine their suitability for the role.

1. Initial application and online test

After submitting your application, you will be invited to complete an online test assessing basic judgement and numerical skills.

2. Values-Based Assessment

Candidates who pass the initial test will be invited to complete a further online assessment examining how well they demonstrate the values required of a Prison Officer.

3. Online Assessment Centre

Successful candidates may progress to an Online Assessment Centre, where their behaviours, strengths and abilities will be assessed. Numerical skills, written English and spoken English will also be assessed during the recruitment process.

Candidates who meet the required assessment standard may be invited to the assessment centre as places become available.

Applicants who were unsuccessful at the second online test within the previous six months may now reapply.

Medical, Fitness and Security Checks

Before appointment, successful candidates must complete the required medical and fitness assessments, including eyesight and hearing tests and basic health screening.

The recruitment process also includes enhanced pre-employment vetting and a Counter-Terrorism Check because of the security status of HMP Frankland.

You must be able to provide accurate and up-to-date documentation when requested. Proof of residence in the UK for the three years immediately before applying is required. Significant periods abroad may be considered in certain circumstances where UK residency has been maintained, but this is subject to the vetting requirements.

Merit List and Job Offers

This is a merit-based vacancy. Candidates who successfully complete the Online Assessment Centre will be placed on a merit list according to their assessment scores.

Job offers will be made as vacancies become available, starting with candidates who achieve the highest scores. Candidates may remain on the merit list for up to 12 months.

If you are unsuccessful at the sift or interview stage, a six-month waiting period will apply before you can submit another application for a Prison Officer position.

Alternative Operational Support Grade Opportunity

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

If you are unsuccessful in your application for the Prison Officer position, you may be considered for an alternative OSG vacancy. However, a valid UK driving licence is essential for the driving duties associated with that role.

A driving licence is not essential for the Prison Officer position itself, although having your own transport may be beneficial because of the location and shift times.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the official recruitment page and complete the application process before the closing date.

Application deadline: 26 November 2026, at 11:55 pm.

For recruitment enquiries, contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team through the details provided in the official vacancy advert. Quote job reference 20533 when requesting assistance.

Please note: Applicants should carefully review the sponsorship restrictions, nationality requirements and three-year UK residency requirement before applying. Meeting the general eligibility criteria does not guarantee sponsorship or appointment.

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