12451 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Lewes (Prison Support Role)

HM Prison and Probation Service; Bracklesham; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Bracklesham is seeking staff for various responsibilities including secure entry, prisoner supervision, and monitoring activities. No specific qualifications are needed but good judgement, common sense, and teamwork are essential attributes. The role offers an annual salary of £29,432 and requires the ability to work shifts including nights and weekends. Benefits include a Civil Service pension and additional leave over time. Applicants must pass security checks before employment.

Benefits

Civil Service pension scheme

Season ticket advance

Access to paid Level 2 apprenticeship

Qualifications

• No specific qualifications are required.
• Must fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English.
• Welsh is required if specified for Wales.

Responsibilities

• Secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, and vehicles.
• Patrol and search perimeter fence areas.
• Monitor CCTV and report suspicious activities.
• Welcome and escort visitors on arrival.
• Monitor and log mail entering the prison.
• Ensure cell doors are locked and prisoners accounted for.
• Photograph prisoners and process their property.
• Supervise prisoners and assist in various duties.
• Deliver and collect food trolleys.
• Collect mail from the local sorting office.
• Maintain the log of prison phone system requests.

Skills

Good judgement

Common sense

Responsibility

Teamwork

Job description

Travel to Work

Some prison establishments are located in rural areas with limited public transport. A driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not essential unless specified. Shift start and finish times are fixed; you are responsible for arriving on time. Please consider the location and your transport options.

Accommodation is not provided.

Responsibilities

• Gate duties: secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, and vehicles; conduct searches of staff, prisoners, visitors, and vehicles; escort vehicles and contractors; issue and collect staff keys and radios.
• Walk the prison site to escort vehicles and contractors; patrol and search perimeter fence areas.
• Control room: operate the prison radio system; monitor CCTV and report suspicious activities.
• Visits: welcome visitors on arrival and escort them if necessary.
• Correspondence: monitor and log mail entering the prison, report contraband items, and preserve evidence where needed.
• Night duties: ensure cell doors are locked and all prisoners are accounted for.
• Reception: photograph prisoners; process prisoners’ property and parcels entering the prison.
• Prisoner supervision: sometimes supervise prisoners, exchange clothing and property, and help escort prisoners around the site.
• Food delivery: walk the prison to deliver and collect food trolleys, or use an electric tug vehicle.
• Driving duties: collect mail from the local sorting office, which may involve lifting heavy sacks.
• Phone calls: monitor the prison’s PIN (personal identification number) phone system; maintain the log of PIN requests and complete relevant records.
• Procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, responding appropriately to incidents and emergencies.

Qualifications & Personal Attributes

• No specific qualifications are required.
• Good judgement, common sense, responsibility, and teamwork are essential.
• The jobholder must fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English; Welsh is required if specified for Wales.

About Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. All applicants are recruited by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experience. Individuals who have an identifying disability are encouraged to apply to a Disability Confident scheme.

Salary & Working Hours

• Annual salary: £29,432 (including a 20% unsocial hours allowance).
• Hours: 37 hours per week, including night, evening, weekends, and public holidays on a rolling shift pattern.
• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after 10 years.
• Bank, public, and privilege holidays: 9 days.
• Benefits include a generous Civil Service pension scheme, a season ticket advance after two months of service, and access to a paid Level 2 apprenticeship.

Application & Contact

Applicants must undergo a criminal record check and baseline personnel security standard checks. The closing date for applications is 18 December 2025, 23:55 hours.