Prison Officer

Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service
Location: HMP Styal, Styal Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4HR
Region: North West England
Salary: £34,928–£39,334 per year, depending on contracted hours
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share available
Number of vacancies: 20
Job grade: Administrative Officer
Reference: 473679
Closing date: 11:55 pm, Thursday 1 October 2026

Important eligibility and sponsorship information

This vacancy is open to female applicants only. The advert states that this is an occupational requirement exception under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, and that male applicants are not eligible for this campaign.

Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available in principle, but sponsorship is not guaranteed. 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 therefore carefully check that they already have, or can maintain, the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

Medical and fitness assessments for this role cannot be completed outside the UK. Candidates progressing to this stage must attend a UK-based assessment centre.

About the role

HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting Prison Officers to work at HMP Styal, a women’s prison near Wilmslow in Cheshire.

This is a frontline operational role involving direct work with women in custody. Prison Officers help maintain a safe and secure environment while building professional relationships with prisoners and supporting them through their time in custody.

The role can involve a wide range of responsibilities. Depending on the situation, Prison Officers may need to maintain order, communicate effectively, support prisoners, make decisions, resolve problems and work closely with colleagues.

The employer highlights the importance of empathy, communication, confidence, resilience and teamwork.

Working at HMP Styal

HMP Styal forms part of the Women’s Prison Group.

Working with women in custody can involve challenges that are different from those encountered in male prisons. The employer notes that many women in custody have experienced difficult backgrounds, including emotional, physical or sexual abuse.

Prison Officers therefore need to approach their work professionally and constructively, while maintaining appropriate boundaries and helping to keep prisoners, colleagues and the wider public safe.

What you could be doing

The role can involve a variety of duties during a working day, including:

• Maintaining a safe, secure and decent prison environment.
• Building constructive and professional relationships with prisoners.
• Communicating clearly with prisoners and colleagues.
• Supporting prisoners who may be experiencing difficult circumstances.
• Managing challenging situations appropriately.
• Making effective decisions in a fast-moving operational environment.
• Working as part of a wider prison team.
• Helping maintain security and good order.
• Supporting the rehabilitation and progression of prisoners.
• Responding appropriately to incidents and operational requirements.
• Performing different duties according to the needs of the prison.

The employer describes the role as varied, with Prison Officers potentially acting as peacekeepers, counsellors, teachers and supportive professional figures during different situations.

Who this opportunity may suit

You do not need formal qualifications to become a Prison Officer.

The employer is looking for people who can demonstrate qualities such as:

• Strong communication skills.
• The ability to influence and work with others.
• Sound judgement and decision-making.
• Understanding and care for others.
• Resilience and self-confidence.
• Commitment to providing a quality service.
• The ability to work effectively within a team.
• A professional approach to challenging situations.

People from a wide range of backgrounds may be able to transfer relevant experience into the role, including individuals with experience in customer service, retail, teaching, the armed forces, parenting or other people-focused environments.

Essential eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet the required eligibility conditions, including:

• Be at least 18 years old when employment begins.
• Meet the applicable Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Have the legal right to live and work in the UK and in the Civil Service.
• Successfully complete the required recruitment assessments.
• Meet the required eyesight standards in both eyes, with and without corrective lenses.
• Meet the required hearing standard without the use of hearing aids.
• Pass the required medical assessment.
• Pass the required fitness assessment.
• Be able to fulfil the spoken aspects of the role confidently in English, or Welsh where specified.

Tattoos are permitted, including visible tattoos, but they must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not accepted except where there is a cultural, religious or medical reason.

Driving and travel requirements

A driving licence and access to your own transport can be beneficial for some prison establishments, particularly where public transport is limited.

However, the employer states that a driving licence and personal vehicle are not essential for this role unless specifically stated.

Applicants should nevertheless consider the location carefully because shift start and finish times are fixed and employees are responsible for getting to and from HMP Styal on time.

Salary and working hours

The advertised Civil Service salary starts at £34,928.

The actual salary depends on contracted weekly hours:

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

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

Initial training is 37 hours per week.

After training, employees can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours per week, subject to the available arrangements.

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so employees must be prepared to work different shift patterns. This can include:

• Evenings
• Some nights
• Weekends
• Public holidays

Additional paid hours may also be available.

Civil Service pension and benefits

The role includes access to the Civil Service pension scheme.

The employer states that HM Prison & Probation Service contributes 28.97% towards the Civil Service pension.

Other advertised benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave.
• Annual leave increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service.
• Paid time off for public holidays.
• One additional privilege day.
• Civil Service pension.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Travel loans.
• Other Civil Service benefits.

Visa sponsorship and right to work

This point is particularly important for applicants outside the UK.

The employer 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 same advert explicitly warns that candidates requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign because of current immigration requirements and recruitment timescales.

Therefore, applicants should not assume that this vacancy will provide sponsorship.

You should confirm your individual right-to-work position and immigration eligibility before applying.

The employer also states that successful applicants must maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK and in the Civil Service.

Civil Service nationality requirements

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:

• 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 and qualifying family members with the appropriate EU Settlement Scheme status.
• Individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme by 31 December 2020.
• Certain Turkish nationals and qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Applicants should check the official Civil Service nationality rules if they are unsure whether they qualify.

Recruitment and assessment process

The recruitment process assesses the behaviours, strengths and abilities considered necessary for the Prison Officer role.

Assessment areas include:

• Communicating and influencing.
• Managing a quality service.
• Making effective decisions.
• Caring.

The recruitment process also assesses numerical ability, written English and spoken English.

Stage 1 – Online test

After completing the initial application form, eligible candidates will be invited to complete the first online test.

This assesses basic judgement and numerical skills expected of a Prison Officer.

Stage 2 – Values Based Assessment

Candidates who successfully complete the first stage may be invited to a second online assessment.

The Values Based Assessment is designed to examine how candidates demonstrate the values considered important for an effective Prison Officer.

Candidates who achieve the required pass mark may progress to the Online Assessment Centre.

The employer states that candidates who achieve a higher predetermined score may be invited to the assessment centre sooner when assessment places are limited.

Candidates who achieve the required pass mark but are not initially invited may remain under consideration and could be invited later when additional assessment capacity becomes available.

The advert also states that applicants who were unsuccessful at the Stage 2 online test within the previous six months can now reapply.

Online Assessment Centre

Successful candidates will be invited to an Online Assessment Centre where their behaviours, strengths and abilities are assessed.

Candidates will subsequently be asked to provide written responses to three behaviour-based questions.

The assessment will explore applicants’ understanding of the Prison Officer role in a women’s prison and their reasons for being interested in the position.

Medical and fitness assessment

Candidates who successfully progress through the assessment process will be invited to complete a medical and fitness assessment once a suitable vacancy is identified.

The assessment includes:

• 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 medical and fitness assessment centre.

Merit-based appointment

This is a merit vacancy.

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

As vacancies become available, the prison will make offers to candidates from the merit list.

The employer states that candidates can remain on the merit list for up to 12 months. After that period, they would need to apply again if they still wish to be considered.

If an application is unsuccessful at the sift or assessment stage, a six-month waiting period may apply before another application for a Prison Officer position can be submitted.

Potential Operational Support Grade opportunity

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

If a candidate is unsuccessful in securing the Prison Officer position after attending the assessment centre, the employer may instead offer an alternative OSG position where appropriate.

This should not be treated as a guaranteed alternative appointment.

Security checks

Successful candidates will be required to complete the relevant security and pre-employment checks.

These include:

• Enhanced or equivalent criminal record checks.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks for those working with government assets.
• Medical checks.

Reasonable adjustments

HM Prison & Probation Service is a Disability Confident employer and states that reasonable adjustment support is available to candidates.

Applicants who require adjustments should indicate this on the application form.

The employer advises candidates to arrange reasonable adjustments before completing online tests or attending an Online Assessment Centre, because assessors may not be able to accommodate requests made on the day.

Veterans

The Civil Service’s “A Great Place to Work for Veterans” initiative may provide a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former members of the Armed Forces who meet the minimum criteria.

Applicants with military backgrounds should check the official eligibility requirements before relying on this provision.

Application guidance

Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before submitting an application, particularly:

• The female-applicant-only requirement.
• Existing UK right-to-work status.
• Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Ability to attend assessments in the UK.
• Ability to meet the eyesight and hearing standards.
• Ability to pass the medical and fitness assessment.
• Availability for shift work, including evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays.
• Ability to travel reliably to HMP Styal for fixed shift start and finish times.

The employer also states that any use of artificial intelligence during an application must not result in false, inaccurate or plagiarised examples. Statements and examples submitted by candidates must be truthful and based on their own experience.

Application and selection process

Applications should be submitted through the official HM Prison & Probation Service recruitment system.

The advertised vacancy reference is 473679, while the recruitment advert also identifies the associated job reference as 20607.

The recruitment process includes online testing, values-based assessment, an Online Assessment Centre and, for successful candidates, medical and fitness checks.

Closing date: 11:55 pm, Thursday 1 October 2026.

Applications should be completed before the stated deadline.

Vacancy details at a glance

Job information	Details
Role	Prison Officer – HMP Styal
Employer	HM Prison & Probation Service
Location	Wilmslow, SK9 4HR
Contract	Permanent
Salary	£34,928–£39,334
Hours	37, 39 or 41 hours after training
Vacancies	20
Working pattern	Full-time, part-time, flexible, job share
Grade	Administrative Officer
Applicant requirement	Female applicants only
Sponsorship	May be available in principle, but candidates requiring sponsorship are stated to be unlikely to be sponsored
Driving licence	Beneficial but not essential unless otherwise specified
Assessment	Online tests, VBA, OAC, medical and fitness
Reference	473679
Closing date	1 October 2026

Applicants should use the official recruitment link for the latest vacancy information and to submit an application.

Important applicant note

This is a physically active, shift-based operational role in a women’s prison. Before applying, make sure you meet the female-only occupational requirement, have the necessary UK right to work, can meet the medical/fitness and eyesight/hearing requirements, and can attend the required assessments in the UK.

For applicants who require Skilled Worker sponsorship from outside the UK, the advert itself states that sponsorship is unlikely for this campaign. Do not treat the role as a guaranteed sponsorship opportunity.