11695 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Isle of Wight (Prison Support Role)

Hmp Isle Of Wight; Newport; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A correctional facility in Newport is seeking an Operational Support Grade Officer to ensure the security and support services of the establishment. This role involves driving, supervising prisoners, and handling various administrative tasks. Candidates should be able to work flexible shifts, including nights and weekends. The salary is £29,432 for a 37-hour work week, with various benefits including annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 10 years

Access to Civil Service pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a full, valid UK Driving Licence.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English.
• Ability to supervise and manage prisoner interactions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure secure entry and exit of staff and visitors.
• Monitor CCTV and report suspicious activities.
• Assist with reception tasks including photographing prisoners.
• Supervise prisoners and assist with their movements.

Skills

Driving duties

Communication

Managing a quality service

Job description

Overview

PLEASE NOTE Driving duties are an essential part of the Operational Support Grade role at HMP Isle of Wight and therefore candidates are required to hold a full, valid UK Driving Licence. You will look after the day-to-day running of a busy prison, working in a close-knit team to carry out a range of support services – everything from patrol and gate duties, to managing deliveries, supervising visitors, and monitoring phone calls and CCTV.

Shift Pattern

You will work an average of 37 hours per week, including night shifts, evenings, weekends and bank/public holidays (added to your holiday allowance) on a rolling shift pattern. The frequency of night shifts will vary for each establishment and can be discussed at interview.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• Gate/portal duties: ensure the secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; carry out searches of staff, prisoners, visitors, contractors and vehicles; issue and collect staff keys/radios.
• Control room: operate the establishment radio system and monitor CCTV ensuring all suspicious activities are reported.
• Visits: book visits; identify and process visitors on arrival, escort them if required.
• Censors/correspondence: monitor/log mail and report any illicit or contraband items, maintaining the preservation of evidence.
• Night duties: ensure cell doors are locked and all prisoners are safely accounted for.
• Reception: assist in supporting appropriate tasks in reception; photograph prisoners; collate documentation for the property process; search/x‑ray incoming prisoner property and parcels; receive items for prisoners and check all seals are intact on property storage.
• Prisoner supervision: supervise prisoners as required; undertake prisoner clothing/property exchange and assist officers with free‑flow movement.
• Food delivery: food trolley delivery and collection, which may involve the use of an electric tug vehicle.
• Driving duties: transport prisoners and their escort to their destination in the cellular vehicle; collect mail from local sorting office.
• Phone calls: monitor the Personal Identification Number (PIN) system, maintaining the log of PIN; phone requests from prisoners; complete all relevant paperwork keeping an audit trail of conversations; check that legal numbers are registered.
• Solicitors procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, responding appropriately to invoke emergency procedures and the actions required in relation to incidents.

Success Profile

• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service

Language Requirements

The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.

Benefits and Compensation

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service (pro‑rated). 9 days bank, public and privilege holidays.
• Access to a paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service.
• Access to the generous Civil Service pension scheme.
• Season ticket loans, retail discounts, an Employee Assistance Programme and a Cycle to Work scheme.
• Salary: £29,432 for a 37‑hour working week inclusive of 20% unsocial hours working allowance reflecting the requirement to work nights, evenings, and weekend shifts.