Prison Officer – HMP Elmley | £40,316 Salary | Ministry of Justice
Job Overview
The Ministry of Justice is recruiting Prison Officers at HMP Elmley in Sittingbourne, Kent.
This is a full-time, part-time, job-share and flexible-working opportunity for people who want a challenging and rewarding Civil Service career protecting the public and supporting prisoners.
No formal qualifications are required. Personal qualities such as communication, resilience, empathy, decision-making and teamwork are important for this role.
Job Details
| Job Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Prison Officer – HMP Elmley |
| Employer | Ministry of Justice |
| Prison | HMP Elmley |
| Location | Church Rd, Eastchurch, Sheerness, ME12 4DZ |
| Town/City | Sittingbourne |
| Region | Kent, Surrey & Sussex |
| Civil Service Grade | AO |
| Job ID | 20530 |
| Vacancy Type | Merit |
| Working Pattern | Full-time, part-time, job share & flexible working |
| Starting Salary | £40,316 per year |
| Closing Date | 3 September 2026 |
| Date Published | 13 August 2026 |
| Security Check | DBS Enhanced |
Salary and Working Hours
The role offers different working-hour options, with annual salary depending on contracted weekly hours.
- 37 hours per week: £38,428 per year
- 39 hours per week: £40,316 per year
- 41 hours per week: £42,834 per year
The salary figures include applicable additional allowances for the role and location.
Initial training is based on 37 hours per week.
After training, you can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours per week, with your annual salary reflecting your contracted hours.
There may also be opportunities to work additional paid hours.
What Does a Prison Officer Do?
Prison officers play an important role in protecting the public and supporting prisoners.
You will work directly with prisoners in a challenging environment while maintaining safety, security and professional standards.
Depending on the situation, you may act as:
- A peacekeeper
- A mentor
- A communicator
- A counsellor
- A teacher
- A member of a professional team
The role involves building constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Teamwork is particularly important because prison officers work together to keep prisoners, colleagues and the wider prison environment safe.
Who Can Apply?
There is no requirement for specific formal qualifications to become a prison officer.
The Ministry of Justice is looking for applicants who can demonstrate qualities including:
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to influence others positively
- Commitment to delivering a quality service
- Effective decision-making
- Care and understanding
- Empathy
- Self-confidence
- Resilience
- Integrity
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Applicants may come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, including retail, education, the armed forces, parenting or other people-focused roles.
Eligibility Requirements
To become a prison officer, you will need to:
- Be at least 18 years old when you commence employment
- Meet the applicable Civil Service nationality requirements
- Have the legal right to live and work in the UK
- Pass the required medical and fitness assessment
- Meet the required eyesight standards
- Meet the required hearing standard without hearing aids
- Be able to fulfil the spoken aspects of the role confidently in English
Tattoos are permitted, including visible tattoos, provided they are not considered offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating.
Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except where they are for cultural, religious or medical reasons.
High-Security Prison Requirement
For employment in a Category A high-security prison, applicants must generally have been resident in the UK for the previous three years.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before applying.
Right to Work and Visa Sponsorship
Important: Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility and the UK Immigration Rules in force at the time of application.
However, the Ministry of Justice specifically warns 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 who require sponsorship should therefore carefully assess their right-to-work position before applying.
Do not assume that sponsorship is guaranteed simply because the vacancy mentions Skilled Worker eligibility.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they have and can maintain the appropriate right to work in the UK.
Nationality Requirements
The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Commonwealth nationals who have the right to work in the UK
- Eligible EU nationals and family members covered by the applicable EU Settlement Scheme arrangements
- Eligible nationals of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
- Individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who met the relevant EUSS eligibility conditions
- Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Successful applicants must maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK and Civil Service.
Working Pattern
Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to work different shift patterns, which may include:
- Day shifts
- Evening shifts
- Some night shifts
- Weekends
- Public holidays
Public holidays worked are added to the holiday allowance in accordance with the stated arrangements.
Most prisons work with a changing shift pattern of approximately 39 hours per week.
Travel and Transport
Some prison establishments are located in areas where public transport options are limited.
A driving licence and personal transport can therefore be beneficial, although they are not an essential requirement unless specifically stated.
Shift start and finish times are fixed, and employees are responsible for ensuring they can arrive at work on time.
Applicants should carefully consider their transport options before applying.
Benefits
Successful candidates may receive a range of Civil Service benefits, including:
- 25 days’ annual holiday
- Annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service
- Paid time off for public holidays
- One additional privilege day
- Civil Service pension
- 28.97% employer pension contribution
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Travel loans
- Other Civil Service benefits
- Opportunities for additional paid hours
Training
Prison officers receive training to prepare them for the responsibilities and challenges of the role.
The initial training is based on 37 hours per week.
Training and assessment will help candidates demonstrate the skills, behaviours and strengths required to work effectively as a prison officer.
Recruitment and Assessment Process
Candidates will be assessed throughout the recruitment process.
The assessment focuses on behaviours, strengths and abilities required for effective prison officer work.
Key areas include:
- Communicating and influencing
- Managing a quality service
- Making effective decisions
- Caring
Candidates will also be assessed on numerical ability, written English and spoken English.
Stage 1 – Initial Application and Online Test
After completing the initial application form, candidates who progress 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 pass the first stage will be invited to complete the second online test.
The Values-Based Assessment is designed to determine how well candidates demonstrate the values required to become an effective prison officer.
Online Assessment Centre
Candidates who successfully meet the required pass mark can progress to the Online Assessment Centre (OAC).
The OAC assesses the behaviours, strengths and abilities required for the prison officer role.
Candidates with higher predetermined Values-Based Assessment scores may receive invitations sooner where assessment capacity is limited.
Candidates who meet the pass mark but are not initially invited may remain under consideration and could be invited later as additional assessment capacity becomes available.
Candidates who were unsuccessful at the Stage 2 online test within the previous six months can now reapply.
Merit List and Job Offers
This is a merit vacancy.
Candidates who successfully complete the Online Assessment Centre will be placed on a merit list according to their assessment score.
When positions become available, job offers will be made to candidates with the highest scores first.
Candidates can remain on the merit list for up to 12 months.
After 12 months, candidates would need to apply again if they still wish to be considered for a prison officer position.
If an application is unsuccessful at the sift or assessment stage, a six-month waiting period applies before another prison officer application can be submitted.
Operational Support Grade Opportunity
The Online Assessment Centre may also assess candidates for suitability for an Operational Support Grade (OSG) role.
If a candidate is unsuccessful in securing the prison officer position after attending the OAC, the Ministry of Justice may instead offer an alternative OSG position where appropriate.
Medical and Fitness Assessment
Once a suitable vacancy has been identified, candidates may be invited to complete a medical and fitness assessment.
This can include:
- Eyesight testing
- Hearing testing
- Basic health screening
- Blood pressure checks
- Fitness assessment
Important: The Ministry of Justice cannot facilitate medical and fitness assessments outside the UK.
Applicants must attend a UK-based medical and fitness assessment centre to progress their application.
Security Clearance
The stated level of security checking required for this vacancy is:
DBS Enhanced
Candidates should ensure that they can satisfy the relevant security and employment requirements.
Civil Service Employment
Successful candidates will become part of the Civil Service and will be expected to comply with the standards set out in the Civil Service Code.
Recruitment is conducted on the basis of merit through fair and open competition.
Veterans
The Ministry of Justice supports the Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Eligible former members of the Armed Forces who meet the minimum criteria may benefit from the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
Veterans are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements before applying.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer and provides reasonable adjustment support to candidates where required.
Applicants who require adjustments should indicate this during the application process.
It is important to request support before completing online tests or attending an Online Assessment Centre because assessors may not be able to accommodate requests made on the day.
Artificial Intelligence and Applications
AI tools may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements submitted must be:
- Truthful
- Factually accurate
- Based on the applicant’s own experience
Applicants should not present AI-generated ideas or other people’s experiences as their own.
Applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism or inappropriate use of AI is identified.
Job Reference
Job ID: 20530
Applicants contacting the recruitment team should quote 20530.
Closing Date
3 September 2026
Applicants should submit their application before the stated deadline.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the official Ministry of Justice recruitment portal.
Apply here:
Official Ministry of Justice application page
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility, right-to-work, assessment, medical and fitness requirements before applying.
Important Sponsorship Warning
This vacancy contains information about possible Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, but the Ministry of Justice states that candidates who require sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign because of current immigration requirements and recruitment timescales.
Applicants who already have the appropriate UK right to work should carefully consider this opportunity.
Do not rely on this vacancy as a guaranteed visa sponsorship opportunity.
Key Facts at a Glance
Position: Prison Officer
Employer: Ministry of Justice
Location: HMP Elmley, Sittingbourne, Kent
Salary: £38,428–£42,834 depending on hours
Advertised 39-hour salary: £40,316
Grade: AO
Hours: 37, 39 or 41 hours after training
Work pattern: Full-time, part-time, job share and flexible working
Closing date: 3 September 2026
Job ID: 20530
Security: DBS Enhanced
Qualifications: No specific qualifications required
Assessment: Online tests + Online Assessment Centre
Medical: UK-based assessment required
Sponsorship: May be available subject to eligibility, but candidates requiring sponsorship are stated to be unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to become a prison officer?
No. The vacancy states that you do not need formal qualifications to become a prison officer. Personal qualities, behaviours and relevant skills are important.
How much does a prison officer at HMP Elmley earn?
The advertised salary is £40,316 per year for a 39-hour week, including the applicable 20% unsocial-hours element.
Other stated salary levels are £38,428 for 37 hours and £42,834 for 41 hours.
Is this a full-time job?
The vacancy offers full-time, part-time, job-share and flexible-working options.
Can international applicants apply?
Eligibility depends on nationality and UK right-to-work requirements.
The vacancy is broadly open to specified groups, but applicants must have and maintain the appropriate legal right to work in the UK.
Is visa sponsorship available?
Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility, but the Ministry of Justice states that applicants who require sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign.
Do I need prison experience?
The vacancy does not state that previous prison officer experience is required.
Applicants are assessed on qualities such as communication, resilience, care, decision-making and influencing skills.
Will I need to work nights and weekends?
Yes.
Prisons operate around the clock, so employees should expect varying shifts that can include evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays.
Do I need a driving licence?
A driving licence and personal transport may be beneficial because some prison locations have limited public transport, but they are not generally essential unless specifically stated.
Is there a medical test?
Yes.
Successful candidates who are identified for a vacancy may be required to complete medical and fitness assessments, including eyesight, hearing and health screening.
Can the medical assessment be completed outside the UK?
No.
The vacancy states that medical and fitness assessments cannot be facilitated outside the UK.
Final Reminder
This is a substantial Civil Service career opportunity for applicants interested in public protection, rehabilitation, security and working directly with people.
Before applying, carefully check the right-to-work requirements, sponsorship warning, shift requirements, medical and fitness requirements, nationality rules and assessment process.
Application deadline: 3 September 2026