Prison Officer

Prison Officer Jobs at HMP Lancaster Farms – 20 Vacancies | Up to £39,334 Salary

HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is recruiting 20 Prison Officers at HMP Lancaster Farms in Lancaster, offering permanent Civil Service employment with salaries of up to £39,334 per year.

No formal qualifications or previous prison experience are required. This opportunity is suitable for people with good communication skills, resilience and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Visa sponsorship: Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available, subject to eligibility. However, the employer states that candidates requiring sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this recruitment campaign.

Job Overview

• Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS)
• Job Title: Prison Officer
• Location: HMP Lancaster Farms, Lancaster, LA1 3QZ
• Salary: £34,928 – £39,334 per year
• Contract: Permanent
• Job Type: Operational Delivery
• Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share
• Working Hours: 37, 39 or 41 hours per week
• Vacancies: 20
• Job Grade: Administrative Officer
• Reference Number: 473847
• Closing Date: Thursday 26 November 2026 at 11:55 pm
• Visa Sponsorship: May be available, but candidates requiring sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored.

Salary and Working Hours

The salary depends on your agreed weekly working 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.

Initial training is based on 37 hours per week. After completing training, you can choose from the available working-hour arrangements.

The position involves shift work, including evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays.

About the Prison Officer Role

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

Working at HMP Lancaster Farms, you will build constructive and professional relationships with prisoners, support rehabilitation and help maintain a safe and secure environment.

Your daily responsibilities will include responding to different situations, making effective decisions and working with colleagues to maintain order and security.

You will need to demonstrate empathy, confidence, resilience and the ability to remain calm when dealing with challenging situations.

Essential Skills and Requirements

No formal qualifications or previous prison experience are required.

HMPPS is looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Good communication and influencing skills.
• Commitment to delivering a quality service.
• Effective decision-making abilities.
• Care, empathy and understanding.
• Confidence and resilience.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.

You must also:

• Be at least 18 years old when starting employment.
• Meet the Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Pass the required medical and fitness assessments.
• Meet the required eyesight and hearing standards.
• Be able to work the required shift patterns.

A driving licence and access to your own transport are beneficial but are not essential requirements.

Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available for this position, subject to eligibility and UK immigration requirements.

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

Applicants must have and be able to maintain the legal right to work in the UK.

The vacancy is open to eligible UK nationals, Irish nationals, Commonwealth citizens with the right to work in the UK and other specified nationality groups, subject to Civil Service nationality rules.

Candidates applying from outside the UK should carefully review the nationality, immigration and recruitment requirements before submitting an application.

Training and Recruitment Process

Successful applicants will complete a recruitment and assessment process designed to evaluate their suitability for prison officer duties.

The process includes:

1. Initial application form.
2. Stage 1 online test covering judgement and numerical skills.
3. Stage 2 values-based assessment.
4. Online Assessment Centre (OAC).
5. Medical and fitness assessment when a vacancy is identified.

Candidates will be assessed on communication and influencing, managing a quality service, effective decision-making and caring.

Applicants who are unsuccessful in securing a Prison Officer position may also be considered for an Operational Support Grade (OSG) role if they meet the requirements.

Successful candidates may be placed on a merit list for up to 12 months, with job offers made as vacancies become available.

Important: Medical and fitness assessments must be completed at a UK-based assessment centre.

Employee Benefits

Working for HM Prison & Probation Service comes with a range of Civil Service benefits, including:

• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 10 years of service.
• Paid public holidays and one additional privilege day.
• Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Travel loans.
• Opportunities to work additional paid hours.
• Training and career development opportunities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should read the full job description, check the eligibility requirements and complete the application through the official recruitment website.

There are 20 vacancies available, and applicants should submit their applications before the deadline.

Closing Date: Thursday 26 November 2026 at 11:55 pm.