Prison Officer

Prison Officer (Women’s Prisons) – Advance into Justice | UK Government Job

UK-based applicants only

Are you a former member of the Armed Forces, a Service Leaver, Veteran, spouse or legal partner looking to build a rewarding career in the UK Civil Service?

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is recruiting 20 Prison Officers (Women’s Prisons) through the Advance into Justice recruitment scheme.

The role offers a starting salary of £34,928, with salaries of up to £40,840 depending on the establishment and location.

This is a 2-year fixed-term appointment, with an opportunity to convert to a permanent position after 12 months, subject to approval and the relevant Civil Service recruitment rules.

Job Overview

Locations

Successful candidates may be appointed to one of the following establishments:

• HMP Askham Grange – Yorkshire and the Humber
• HMP Downview – South East England / Outer London
• HMP Drake Hall – Staffordshire
• HMP East Sutton Park – Kent
• HMP Eastwood Park – Gloucestershire
• HMP Foston Hall – Derbyshire
• HMP Low Newton – County Durham
• HMP New Hall – West Yorkshire
• HMP Send – Surrey
• HMP Styal – Cheshire

Important: HMP Askham Grange, HMP Downview, HMP East Sutton Park, HMP Foston Hall and HMP Styal are open to female applicants only because of an occupational requirement exception under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

Applicants are required to select three establishment preferences during the application process.

About the Advance into Justice Scheme

Advance into Justice is a recruitment scheme designed to support people who have served in the Armed Forces and their families into operational careers within HM Prison and Probation Service.

The scheme is open to:

• Service Leavers
• Armed Forces Veterans
• Spouses of eligible Armed Forces personnel
• Legal partners of eligible Armed Forces personnel

Candidates who successfully complete the assessment process may receive a 2-year fixed-term appointment.

Subject to approval, successful candidates may have the opportunity to convert to a permanent position after 12 months.

What Does a Prison Officer Do?

Being a prison officer is a challenging and rewarding career focused on maintaining safety, security and order while helping prisoners make positive changes.

Prison officers can take on different responsibilities throughout the working day, including acting as:

• A peacekeeper
• A mentor
• A counsellor
• A teacher
• A role model
• A member of a professional operational team

The role involves building constructive and professional relationships with prisoners while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Working in Women’s Prisons

Working with women in custody can involve challenges that differ from those encountered in male prisons.

Many women in custody have experienced difficult circumstances, including emotional, physical or sexual abuse. These experiences can contribute to difficulties with trust and relationships.

Prison officers therefore need to demonstrate:

• Empathy
• Patience
• Resilience
• Professionalism
• Strong communication
• Emotional intelligence
• Confidence
• Professional boundaries

Who Can Apply?

There is no requirement for a specific qualification to become a prison officer.

The employer places significant emphasis on personal qualities, skills and behaviours.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Commitment to delivering a quality service
• Effective decision-making
• Care and understanding
• Resilience
• Confidence
• Teamwork
• Professional integrity

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old when employment begins.
• Meet the relevant Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Have the legal right to live and work in the UK.
• Pass the required medical assessment.
• Pass the required fitness assessment.
• Meet the required eyesight standards.
• Meet the required hearing standards.
• Be able to fulfil the spoken requirements of the role confidently in English, or Welsh where applicable.

Tattoos are permitted, including visible tattoos, provided they are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating.

Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship

Important for overseas applicants:

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 sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign because of current immigration requirements and recruitment timescales.

This vacancy should not be treated as a guaranteed visa sponsorship opportunity.

Salary

The advertised national salary is:

£34,928 per year

Some establishments offer:

£36,928 per year, including a £2,000 market supplement.

HMP Downview: up to £40,840 per year, based on Outer London rates and applicable allowances.

Actual salary depends on the establishment, working hours and applicable allowances.

Working Hours and Shifts

Initial training is based on 37 hours per week.

After training, officers may have the option to work:

• 37 hours per week
• 39 hours per week
• 41 hours per week

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so shifts can include evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays.

Additional paid hours may also be available.

Benefits

Successful employees can receive:

• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 10 years
• Paid public holidays
• One additional privilege day
• Civil Service pension
• 28.97% employer pension contribution
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Travel loans
• Additional employee benefits

Assessment and Recruitment Process

Candidates will be assessed on:

• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service
• Making effective decisions
• Caring
• Numerical ability
• Written English
• Spoken English

Online Tests

Candidates will first complete an online test assessing basic judgement and numerical skills.

Successful candidates may then progress to the Values-Based Assessment (VBA).

Online Assessment Centre

Candidates who pass the relevant assessment stages may be invited to an Online Assessment Centre (OAC).

This assesses the behaviours, strengths and abilities required for the prison officer role.

Written Questions

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

These will explore your understanding of working as a prison officer in a women’s prison and your motivation for applying.

Medical and Fitness Assessment

Successful candidates will be invited to complete:

• Eyesight assessment
• Hearing assessment
• Basic health screening
• Blood pressure check
• Fitness assessment

Medical and fitness assessments cannot be completed outside the UK.

Merit Vacancy

This is a merit vacancy.

Candidates who successfully complete the assessment centre will be placed on a merit list according to their scores.

Job offers will generally be made to candidates with the highest scores as vacancies become available.

Candidates can remain on the merit list for up to 12 months.

Operational Support Grade Opportunity

Candidates who are unsuccessful for the prison officer position may potentially be considered for an Operational Support Grade (OSG) position, subject to suitability and available vacancies.

Veterans and Armed Forces Applicants

The Advance into Justice scheme is specifically aimed at supporting Service Leavers, Armed Forces Veterans, spouses and legal partners into operational Civil Service careers.

Eligible veterans may also benefit from the Civil Service’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme where the relevant requirements are met.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer and provides reasonable adjustment support.

Applicants requiring adjustments should indicate this during the application process and arrange support before completing online assessments.

Security Checks

Successful candidates will be required to undergo appropriate security and background checks, which may include:

• Enhanced or equivalent criminal record checks
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks
• Medical checks

Application Deadline

Closing date: Thursday, 3 September 2026

Deadline: 11:55 pm

Applicants are advised to apply early.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official recruitment website.

Job reference: 20668
Civil Service reference: 473922

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE PRISON OFFICER ROLE

Important Application Notes

Before applying:

1. Check that you meet the minimum age requirement.
2. Confirm your UK right-to-work status.
3. Check the Civil Service nationality requirements.
4. Review the establishment locations.
5. Select three establishment preferences.
6. Consider transport arrangements and shift patterns.
7. Review the medical and fitness requirements.
8. Carefully consider the Skilled Worker sponsorship warning.
9. Prepare for the online assessments.
10. Ensure all application answers are truthful and based on your own experience.

Job Summary

Position: Prison Officer – Women’s Prisons

Scheme: Advance into Justice

Employer: HM Courts and Tribunals Service / Ministry of Justice

Salary: £34,928–£40,840

Contract: 2-year fixed term

Vacancies: 20

Grade: Administrative Officer

Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible and job share

Locations: England

Pension: Civil Service Pension with 28.97% employer contribution

Qualifications: No specific qualifications required

Closing date: 3 September 2026 at 11:55 pm

Job reference: 20668

Final Reminder

This is an opportunity for eligible Service Leavers, Armed Forces Veterans, spouses and legal partners to enter an operational career within the UK Civil Service.

The role offers competitive pay, Civil Service pension benefits, structured training and the potential for permanent employment.

Applicants who require visa sponsorship should note that the employer states they are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign.

Apply before 11:55 pm on 3 September 2026.