202510: Prison Officer - HMP Belmarsh

HM Prison and Probation Service; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking prison officers to support and manage prisoners. Successful candidates will need strong communication skills and a commitment to teamwork. The role includes assessing prisoners' needs and making impactful decisions. No formal qualifications required, as personal attributes take priority. The position offers competitive pay depending on hours worked, along with generous benefits including holiday and public holiday pay.

Benefits

25 days' annual holiday

paid time off for public holidays

Civil Service pension with employer contributions

cycle to work scheme

travel loans

Responsibilities

• Work directly with prisoners to protect the public and make a positive impact.
• Assess and manage quality service in a prison environment.
• Act as a peacekeeper, counsellor, and teacher as needed.

Skills

communication and influencing skills

commitment to quality

effective decision-making

care and understanding

Job description

Due to the security status of this prison, a Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC vetting) will need to be undertaken. Proof that you have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years is needed to complete the CTC vetting process. Applicants who do not meet the residency requirement will not be able to take up post at this prison.

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes.

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

Someone like you

Our officers come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with. You'll have the empathy, self-confidence, great communication skills, and resilience we want.

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.

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.

Assessment Process

During the recruitment process, you will be assessed on the behaviours, strengths, and abilities you need to become an effective prison officer.

These include: communicating and influencing, managing a quality service, making effective decisions.

Benefits

+ 25 days' annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years' service)

+ paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day

+ Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%

+ cycle to work scheme, travel loans, and other benefits

Essential skills

You don't need qualifications to become a prison officer. Personal qualities are more important. You need to show:

• communication and influencing skills
• commitment to quality
• effective decision-making
• care and understanding

Pay

The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you can choose to work 37, 39, or 41 hours a week. Your annual salary will reflect your weekly hours.

• 37 hours a week = £37,525 a year
• 39 hours a week = £39,892 a year
• 41 hours a week = £42,258 a year