Career Suggestion

Prison officer

Prison officers supervise people who are in prisons, remand centres and young offenders' institutions.

Average salary (a year)

£33000.0 to £40000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

37.0 to 41.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by applying directly.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Custody and Detention Professional Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

  • GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, in English and maths

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct Application

You could apply directly to be a prison officer. You do not need qualifications as personal qualities are more important in this role.

You'll need to take an online test to check your judgement and number skills.

If you pass, you'll attend an assessment day where you'll be tested on your:

  • number, reading and writing skills
  • fitness
  • health, hearing and eyesight

You'll also have an interview and take part in role play to see if you have the right personal qualities to be a prison officer.

More Information

Career Tips

You can do the HM Prison and Probation Service online career matching tool to see whether a career as a prison officer is right for you.

Further Information

You can find out more about how to become a prison officer from HM Prison and Probation Service.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • leadership skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Day-to-day tasks

As a prison officer, you could:

  • keep prisoners secure and support those who are vulnerable
  • carry out security checks and searches
  • maintain order, sometimes using authorised physical control and restraint
  • go with prisoners on external visits like court appearances
  • prepare prisoners for release through rehabilitation programmes
  • update records, write reports and promote anti-bullying and suicide prevention policies

Working environment

You could work in a prison.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

With experience you could:

  • train and move into specialist projects like rehabilitation work with groups of prisoners and their families
  • become a supervising officer or custodial manager, or head of function, like prison security or reoffending reduction
  • move up to become a deputy governor or prison governor

Related careers

Back to course details