Jobs in the prison and probation service

If you're passionate about improving lives and protecting society, consider a career in rehabilitation. Learn more about the careers on offer with the Prison and Probation Service

Careers in the prison and probation services

If you think you’d be a good fit for a career in the HM Prison and Probation Service there are a range of roles available. For example within the prison services you could work as a:

administrator
forensic psychologist
instructional officer (education and training)
manager
prison cater
prison chaplain
prison officer
prison support or operation support grades (OSGs)
probation officer
youth justice worker.

Within the probation service you could become a:

approved premises - residential worker
case administrator
community payback
probation officer
probation services officer.

Prison officer jobs

What do prison officers do?

As a uniformed prison officer working on the frontline, you'll be responsible for maintaining security and supervising prisoners on a day-to-day basis.

You'll need to display authority and enforce discipline at the same time as developing positive working relationships with prisoners. You may also play a role in training prisoners so they have useful skills when they're released.

Patrolling the prison, escorting prisoners, dealing with incidents, protecting vulnerable prisoners and maintaining prisoner records are all in a day's work.

Your employer is likely to be HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), an agency of the Ministry of Justice. However, some prisons are privately run by companies such as G4S and Serco - these prisons recruit officers independently.

How much will I be paid as a prison officer?

Salaries vary depending on where you work in England and Wales and your shift hours. You'll begin working a 37 hour week, but upon completion of your initial training you'll have the opportunity to increase your hours up to 39 or 41. You can generally expect a starting salary between £34,000 to £40,000 for a 39 hour week.

You can earn more by taking on overtime shifts and you'll benefit from a Civil Service pension, one of the best schemes in the UK.

For a full rundown of duties, salaries, qualifications and opportunities for career development, see the prison officer job profile.

What are the entry requirements?

You don't need any specific qualifications to become a prison officer but you do need to:

be 18 or over
have the right to work in the UK
meet a specific level of physical fitness
have good eyesight and hearing.

How do I apply to become a prison officer?

Applying to become a prison officer takes time, roughly six or seven months. The process consists of:

searching for vacancies and applying online
completing online tests
undertaking an online assessment centre (interview, role play and a written test)
completing pre-employment checks
passing medical and fitness tests
receiving a job offer and arranging training dates.

If your application is successful you'll complete seven-week prison officer foundation training (eight weeks if you intend to work in a women's prison) and then continue learning on the job.

Unlocked Graduates scheme

What is Unlocked Graduates?

It's an intensive two-year leadership scheme that aims to train future prison officers and leaders of the service by focusing on rehabilitation and addressing reoffending rates.

It puts you on the frontline as a prison officer, with a starting salary of £30,702 to £38,165 per year, depending on location.

If you have or are currently studying and expect a 2:1 degree in any subject, you may want to consider the Unlocked Graduates programme.

What does the programme involve?

The Leadership Development Programme starts with a six-week summer institute, where you'll complete standard prison officer training.

You'll then be mentored by an experienced prison officer as you work with prisoners to find ways to help them break the cycle of reoffending - so you'll have real responsibility from the start.

During the second year of the scheme you'll have the chance to complete a two-week work placement at organisations such as KPMG, PA Consulting and the Ministry of Justice, as well as the opportunity to spend time working in a different prison. You'll also get the opportunity to complete a research project based on your professional interests.

Throughout the programme, you'll be fully funded in studying part time over two years for the MSc in Applied Custodial Leadership from Leeds Trinity University. This will give you the knowledge and expertise to change attitudes and perceptions, while encouraging new approaches to prison reform.

Once the programme is over, you'll have gained the leadership skills to work in a variety of job sectors or to stay in the prison service if you choose.

How do I apply to Unlocked Graduates?

As mentioned, you'll need a 2:1 degree as well as:

GCSE passes (grade C/4) in English and maths
the right to work in the UK
to not have previously trained as a prison officer.

The application process involves four stages:

registration
situational judgement activity
written application
assessment centre.

You'll then receive a conditional offer that rests on proof of your right to work in the UK and academic qualifications.

Operational support grade (OSG) roles

What do OSGs do?

As an OSG your job will revolve around prison support, which means you'll play a key role in ensuring the smooth and safe running of a prison. Unlike prison officers your contact with prisoners will be minimal. Instead your focus will be on tasks such as:

searching staff, visitors and prisoner at the gate and ensuring safe entry and exit
supervising visitors
issuing staff keys and radios
managing deliveries
patrolling the perimeter fence
monitoring phone calls and mail
transporting prisoners and their escorts.

Learn more about the operational and support grade role.

What will I earn?

Starting salaries for OSGs are in the region of £27,000 to £33,000 for a 37 hour week.

What are the entry requirements to work as an OSG?

Specific qualifications aren't necessary as you'll be trained on the job but you will need basic maths, English and IT skills. To be successful as an OSG you'll also need:

good judgement
a clear sense of responsibility
problem-solving skills
confidence
the ability to work as part of a team.

As the role entails lifting, carrying and long periods spent standing or walking a reasonable level of physical fitness is also required.

How do I apply to become an OSG?

The process takes four or five months, from initial application to your first day on the job.

It involves two stages, an online application and an interview. If you're applying to work in a high security prison you'll also need to undergo a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC).

If you're invited to an interview and are successful you'll need to undergo and pass pre-employment checks before starting work.

Prison instructor jobs

You can combine interests in teaching and offender rehabilitation by becoming a prison instructor. You'll work with prisoners in the classroom or workshop to help them develop vocational skills they can use to find employment when they're released.

Some instructors are uniformed prison officers who take on additional responsibility alongside their regular duties, while others are civilians employed in a full-time training role.

Tasks include:

assessing the learning needs of prisoners
planning and running training sessions
supervising prisoners
maintaining health and safety standards.

You'll usually need at least a Level 3 teaching qualification, as well as the same standard in your specialist subject area, plus some relevant work experience. Salaries range from £18,000 to £29,000, according to the National Careers Service.

Become a prison governor

If you aspire to a leadership position you could become a prison governor. Bear in mind that this is a job that requires years of experience, as governors are senior leaders with overall responsibility for their prison.

Their remit typically includes:

making inspections,
maintaining discipline and security
managing prison staff
ensuring prisoners' welfare is looked after
handling budgets
meeting government targets.

These tasks vary depending on the type and size of the prison.

The most common entry route is to get several years' experience as a prison officer (often a decade or more) and progress from there.

You'll need to be confident, assertive, and a strong team player to succeed.

According to the National Careers Service, salaries for prison governors range from £47,500 to £75,500 per year, depending on experience.

Work in youth justice

What does a youth justice worker do?

You can join the prison service and work with young people by developing a career as a youth justice worker. You'll need patience, resilience and the ability to make quick but effective decisions as you work with 15 to 18 year old's in custody and support them to a better future.

Responsibilities include ensuring the security and safety of young people in a custodial environment, managing their behaviour and encouraging them to attend education sessions and activities.

What will I earn as a youth justice worker?

Expect a starting salary of £33,000 to £38,000.

How do I apply to become a youth justice worker?

No qualifications are needed as you'll be trained on the job. The application process takes six to eight months and involves:

applying online
online test
online assessment centre
a provisional offer
pre-employment checks and a medical and fitness test.

Read up on what the role involves at become a youth justice worker.

Probation officer jobs

What does a probation officer do?

Working with offenders before, during and after a prison sentence or community order, as a probation officer you'll help rehabilitate lawbreakers and reduce their risk of reoffending.

You'll liaise closely with colleagues throughout the criminal justice system - for example, in the police, courts and prison service - as well as with victims of crime.

Find out about the responsibilities, salary range and qualifications required by visiting the probation officer job profile.

Scotland and Northern Ireland operate their own criminal justice systems, which have their own structures and deliver probation services differently. To find opportunities in these countries, visit:

What qualifications do I need to work as a probation officer?

Aspiring probation officers must complete the Professional Qualification in Probation (POiP), as part of their training and to do so you must hold at least a Level 3 qualification, typically A-levels or equivalent.

The length of time the POiP programme takes depends on your existing qualifications. For example:

for non-graduates (those with a Level 3 qualification) it takes 27 months
for graduates with a Level 5 qualification (foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) etc) or higher it takes 21 months
for graduates who studied at least three modules on topics such as the criminal justice system, understanding crime and criminal behaviour, penal policy and punishment and rehabilitation, as part of their degree POiP takes 15 months.

To learn whether you're eligible and to apply for jobs in England and Wales with the Probation Service, part of HMPPS, see Train to be a probation officer.

What are probation officer salaries like?

Trainee probation officers receive £26,000 to £30,000, depending on location, while they complete the POiP. Salaries rise to £35,000 and over once you’ve gained POiP.

How do I apply to become a probation officer?

The application process to start your career as a probation officer, via the POiP training takes six to seven months to complete and involves:

completing an online application form
taking an online, values-bases assessment
attending an online assessment centre (including a written test, role play and interview)
undergoing pre-employment checks
receiving a provisional offer of employment (subject to passing the pre-employment checks).