Prisoner Custody Officer

Serco; Norwich; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Prisoner Custody Officer, where you'll play a crucial role in the justice system. This position offers a unique opportunity to ensure the safety and wellbeing of detainees while working within a professional team. With a competitive salary and continuous training, you'll have the chance to develop your skills and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Enjoy a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion, along with a range of benefits to support your health and wellbeing. If you're ready to take on this rewarding challenge, apply today!

Benefits

Pension (matched up to 6%)

Life Insurance

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

Employee Assistance Programme

Health Care and Dental Plans

Discounts on Leisure and Retail

Continuous training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Commitment to making a difference in others' lives.
• Ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Escort defendants to and from courtrooms and ensure their safety.
• Monitor and supervise detainees during court sessions.
• Complete necessary paperwork and data entry accurately.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Vigilance

Responsibility

Physical Fitness

Education

Driver's License

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Location: Norwich Crown or Magistrates Court

Salary: £23,402 per annum

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 also offer:

• Base Salary of £23,402 (35hrs pw).
• Continuous training & development opportunities, with annual salary increments (year 2 - £23,984 / year 3 - £24,436 / year 4 - £24,890).
• 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 health and wellbeing such as Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care and Dental Plans.
• Access to discounts and exclusive deals such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema discounts, Leisure, Retail and Hospitality discounts.
• A supportive team & culture where you’ll get the chance to make a positive difference in a company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

We are operational 24/6 and you’ll cover various early and late shifts, 35hrs pw. Flexibility is key as there are different working arrangements & additional hours. There will be days when your finishing time could be unpredictable; however, we operate a rota basis (provided 12 weeks in advance) that allows you meaningful time off.

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. Key duties include:

• Escorting defendants to and from courtrooms, cells, and other areas within the court, ensuring security and safety.
• Monitoring and supervising detainees during court sessions.
• Maintaining discretion and confidentiality regarding sensitive information discussed during court proceedings.
• Ensuring that detainees have access to food and drink throughout the day.
• Monitoring the mental and physical health of detainees, providing support and reporting any concerns.
• Ensuring the safety and security of the court environment, including responding to incidents or emergencies.
• Completing necessary paperwork and data entry accurately.
• Working closely with other court staff, law enforcement, and legal professionals.

What you need to do the job!

Our current PCOs come to us with different work & life experiences. What matters is your commitment to making a difference to the lives of others – the rest you will learn during your training course and through our experienced colleagues.

Ideally, you’ll have a current valid driver's license, be reasonably fit, and have good written and verbal communications skills. This role requires a high level of responsibility, vigilance, and the ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism and care.

Additional Information:

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

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules. Candidates must meet the below minimum eligibility criteria:

• Have at least two years remaining on your current visa.
• Have lived in the UK for at least one year.

About Serco
At Serco, we are committed to delivering essential public services around the world. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and may bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

At Serco, we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge. Please contact our recruitment team directly on j&[e-mail] to discuss.