Prisoner Custody Officer

Serco Limited; Basildon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public services organization in the UK is seeking a Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) in Basildon. This role involves escorting detainees, monitoring their wellbeing, and ensuring court safety. Candidates must have good communication skills, a valid driver's license, and a commitment to making a difference. The position offers a base salary starting at £26,026, along with various benefits including pension, life insurance, and employee assistance programs. Flexibility in shifts required.

Benefits

Pension (matched up to 6%)

Life insurance

20 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years)

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and Dental Plans

Various discounts and exclusive deals

Qualifications

• Ideally, you’ll have a current valid driver's licence.
• You need to be reasonably fit for the role.
• Good written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Escorting defendants to and from courtrooms, cells, and other areas.
• Monitoring and supervising detainees during court sessions.
• Handling sensitive information and maintaining discretion.
• Listening to testimonies and supporting detainees emotionally.
• Ensuring detainees have access to food and drink.
• Monitoring the health of detainees and reporting concerns.
• Ensuring safety and security in the court environment.
• Completing paperwork accurately.
• Collaborating with court staff and law enforcement.

Skills

Good written and verbal communication skills

Ability to handle challenging situations

Commitment to making a difference

Education

Valid driver's license

Job description

Permanent roles offering job stability & security

Working as a Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) is more than just a role—it's an opportunity to be part of a professional team that plays a vital role in the justice system, ensuring safety and security every day. We offer:

• Base Salary of £26,026 (35hrs per week). Every year you will be eligible for a base salary increment: year 2 £26,658, year 3 £27,260, year 4 £27,882.
• Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance; 20 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years’ service) plus Bank Holidays.
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care and Dental Plans and more.
• Access to a range of discounts and exclusive deals such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema discounts, Leisure, Retail and Hospitality discounts and more.
• A supportive team & culture where you'll get the chance to make a positive difference in a company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

We operate 24/6 and you'll cover various early and late shifts, 35 hours per week. Flexibility is key as the nature of the role requires different working arrangements and additional hours. There are days when your finish time could be unpredictable, but we operate a rota basis (provided 12 weeks in advance) that allows you flexibility to enjoy meaningful time off to do the things you enjoy and love.

About the Role

As a PCO at our court, you'll work as part of a team to provide safe and secure escorting and custody services to detainees, focusing on maintaining their physical and mental wellbeing. During court proceedings, you'll be responsible for every aspect of detainee management until they are returned to custody or released.

Key Duties

• Escorting defendants to and from courtrooms, cells, and other areas within the court, including accompanying them to the toilet to ensure security and safety. This may involve being handcuffed to the detainee.
• Monitoring and supervising detainees while they are in the docks during court sessions, ensuring they remain secure and do not pose a risk to themselves or others.
• Handling sensitive and confidential information discussed during court proceedings, maintaining discretion and confidentiality.
• Listening to harrowing and distressing testimonies and evidence, maintaining professionalism and providing support to detainees while managing your own emotional wellbeing.
• Ensuring detainees have access to food and drink throughout the day, catering to any dietary requirements or restrictions.
• Monitoring the mental and physical health of detainees, providing support and reporting any concerns to the appropriate authorities.
• Ensuring the safety and security of the court environment, including responding to any incidents or emergencies, and conducting thorough searches of property and individuals to prevent contraband from entering secure areas.
• Completing necessary paperwork and data entry accurately, including logging detainee movements, incidents, and other relevant information.
• Working closely with other court staff, law enforcement, and legal professionals to ensure smooth and secure court operations.

What You Need to Do the Job

Our current PCOs come with various work and life experiences; what matters is your commitment to making a difference to the lives of others. You will learn the rest during our 5 ½‑week training course and through experienced colleagues. Ideally, you’ll have a current valid driver's licence, be reasonably fit, and have good written and verbal communication skills to manage and control all situations. This role requires a high level of responsibility, vigilance, and the ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism and care. You will be an integral part of the judicial process, ensuring that justice is administered safely and securely. Our roles would suit those with an interest in criminology or psychology.

Assessment Process

Briefing call to assess eligibility – competency‑based virtual interview – short role‑play and written exercise.

Additional Information

All roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All offers of employment are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced DBS (Adult & Child Barring) and satisfactory employment references.

All staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable young adults. The post holder must undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules, as it does not meet the required salary or skill level criteria. Candidates who already have a valid right to work in the UK through other immigration routes or permissions must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have at least two years remaining on your current visa.
• Have lived in the UK for at least one year; the vetting process requires a counter‑signatory from a recognised professional who has known you for that duration.

For general right‑to‑work guidance, please visit the UK Home Office website.

About Serco

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50 000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone. Joining Serco gives you unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks are led by colleagues passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.

How to Apply

Please click the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles, and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so apply promptly to avoid disappointment. At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. We will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact j&[e-mail].

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the Ban the Box pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on j&[e-mail] to discuss.