202505: Prison Officer - HMP Wymott

Ministry of Justice; Preston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice is seeking prison officers in Preston to protect the public and positively impact prisoners' lives. This role requires strong communication skills, resilience, and the ability to work as part of a team. No formal qualifications are necessary, making this an extraordinary opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

25 days’ annual holiday

Public holiday pay

Civil Service pension

Cycle to work and travel loans

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications required; personal qualities are more important.
• Demonstrate communication and influencing skills.
• Commitment to quality and care for others.

Responsibilities

• Protect the public and support prisoners in a unique environment.
• Work various shifts, including weekends.
• Build constructive relationships with prisoners.

Skills

communication and influencing skills

commitment to quality

care and understanding

Job description

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working

28-May-2025

Location

Preston

AO

Job ID

5746

Descriptions & requirements

An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you.

Prison officers protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners' lives.

If you have the integrity, skills, and strength of character we’re looking for, this fast-paced role could be the start of a successful career.

Someone like you

There’s no such thing as a typical prison officer. Our officers come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, have worked in retail, the armed forces, or just feel like you’re a natural people person, you’ll have the empathy, self-confidence, great communication skills, and resilience we want. No matter the challenge, you’ll take the time to build constructive, positive, and professional relationships with prisoners who could be at the lowest point in their lives.

Teamwork plays a vital role in this environment, so you’ll need to be fully committed to supporting your colleagues and understand the importance of acting as one team to keep the prison, and everyone who works here, safe.

You will be required to work various shifts and some weekends.

An extraordinary job

In this unique career, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day. One minute you’re a peacekeeper, the next you’re a counsellor or a teacher. You’ll work directly with prisoners in a unique environment, helping to protect the public and make a positive impact.

To become a prison officer, you will need to:

• be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment
• meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements (see nationality requirements section below)
• pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process
• meet the eyesight standard in both eyes (with or without corrective lenses)
• have a suitable standard of hearing (without hearing aids)
• be aware that tattoos should not be offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable unless for cultural, religious, or medical reasons

To work in a high security prison (category A), you must have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years.

Travel to Work

Some prisons are in rural locations with limited public transport; a driving license and own transport are beneficial but not essential unless specified. Shift start and finish times are fixed, so you must plan your transport accordingly.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and family members with settled or pre-settled status under EUSS
• individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible for EUSS before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members with the right to work in the Civil Service

From 4 April 2024, the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas increased, affecting sponsorship eligibility. Applicants should consider their right to work in the UK accordingly.

Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK and Civil Service.

Essential skills

No formal qualifications are required; personal qualities are more important. You need to demonstrate:

• communication and influencing skills
• commitment to quality
• care and understanding

Pay

Initial training is 37 hours/week. After training, you can choose to work 37, 39, or 41 hours/week, with salary reflecting your hours:

• 37 hours = £32,448/year
• 39 hours = £34,494/year
• 41 hours = £36,541/year

All figures include applicable allowances.

Prisons operate 24/7, so shifts include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Most work a pattern of 39 hours/week, with opportunities for extra paid hours.

Benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 after 10 years)
• Public holiday pay and an extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension (employer contributions 28.97%)
• Cycle to work, travel loans, and other benefits

Assessment during recruitment includes:

• behaviours, strengths, and abilities relevant to the role
• motivations and energy levels
• numerical, written, and spoken English skills

Online Tests

After submitting your application, you’ll complete stage 1 online tests for judgement and numerical skills. Successful candidates proceed to stage 2, a task-based assessment of behaviours and qualities.

The online assessment centre (OAC)

Successful completion leads to an online assessment where your abilities, behaviours, and strengths are evaluated. You’ll be placed on a merit list for 12 months, with offers made to top scorers when positions are available. If unsuccessful, a six-month waiting period applies before reapplication.

Following the OAC, candidates may be considered for an alternative role as operational support grade (OSG) if unsuitable for prison officer.

Medical and Fitness

Once a vacancy is identified, you’ll undergo a medical and fitness test, including eyesight, hearing, and health screening. Assessments are UK-based only. Reasonable adjustments are available if requested in advance.

The role requires confidence in spoken English (or Welsh in Wales).

Allowance Details

Refer to the attached job description document for details.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The Civil Service offers guaranteed interviews for eligible veterans meeting minimum criteria. Details at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Opportunities are available for those at risk of redundancy before job loss, except for promotion applications.

What’s it really like to work as a prison officer?

An interactive online activity provides insights into daily situations faced by prison officers. Responses do not affect your application.

Refer to the attached job description document for more details.

The role requires confidence in spoken English (or Welsh in Wales).

Level of security checks required

Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS)

Job Description Attachment

Band-3-PO-Safe-Decent-and-Secure-JD048-v8.0 (1).pdf