To become a prison officer is to play an important role in maintaining safety, security, and order in prisons, protecting and caring for prisoners, and assisting in their rehabilitation to return to society. A prison officer’s job is demanding and rewarding, requiring people with good interpersonal, problem-solving and stress-management skills. Suppose you are interested in criminal justice, helping others, and want to work in a secure environment. In that case, you should consider being a prison officer. This guide outlines the steps to becoming a prison officer in the UK, the qualifications needed for the job, and the main skills required to succeed.

What Does a Prison Officer Do?

Prison officers supervise inmates, maintain security, and help rehabilitate inmates. They ensure that order is maintained, disturbances are prevented, and everything in the prison runs smoothly. Prison officers have the following duties:

• Maintaining Security: The prison must be secure, so officers regularly patrol inmates and cells for contraband or other problems.
• Supervise inmates: Officers monitor prisoners’ daily activities – meal times, exercise, work and recreation – and enforce the rules and regulations, as well as quell any disruptions.
• Encouraging Rehabilitation: Officers encourage inmates to participate in educational and vocational programmes, counselling, and rehabilitation efforts to reintegrate into society post-jail successfully.
• Conflict Resolution: Prison guards work with prisoners who may have conflicts with each other and must keep their composure when faced with aggression or violence.
• Writing Reports: Officers keep records of inmate behaviour, incidents, and disciplinary actions within the facility. These reports track inmates’ progress and help maintain safety in the prison.
• Keeping Inmates Healthy: Officers check on inmates to ensure they are physically and mentally OK, have access to medical services, social workers and other services, and have a safe place to live.

Average Prison Officer Salary in the UK

The salary for a prison officer in the UK varies depending on whether you work in a large or small prison, what level of security it is, and whether you are in England or Wales. Prison officers just starting will earn between £23,000 and £30,000 per year.

For mid-level prison officers, salaries range from £30,000 to £35,000. In contrast, senior officers or those in management roles can earn up to £35,000 to £40,000 or more. Officers working in high-security prisons or taking on extra responsibilities can earn even more, as there are often opportunities for overtime pay (and location-based allowances for those working in London).

Key Skills for a Successful Prison Officer

What you need to be good at as a prison officer is a combination of interpersonal, practical and problem-solving skills such as:

• Resilience and Emotional Strength: Prison officers may face conflict or violent behaviour from prisoners. Emotional strength is important to cope with these pressures.
• Effective Communication Skills: Officers must communicate clearly with inmates, other officers and senior staff, explain rules and procedures, mediate disputes, and listen to inmate concerns.
• Good Judgment and Decision-Making: Prison officers are frequently required to make split-second decisions in potentially dangerous situations. They need sound judgment and the ability to make sound risk assessments.
• The role involves working as part of a team: prison officers work with other officers, healthcare professionals, and social workers to run the prison. Being able to work well with others is important.
• Physical Fitness: The role involves walking around the facility and physically restraining prisoners; it can be quite tough on the body and involve long shifts, so it helps to be physically fit to do the job.
• Conflict Resolution: Cops who work with inmates must be able to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts among inmates. They need strong negotiation and conflict management skills to maintain calm, order and safety.
• Patience and Empathy: While security is undoubtedly a key part of the job, prison officers must also show patience and empathy, particularly when dealing with prisoners who are having a mental health crisis or are struggling with rehabilitation.

Steps to Become a Prison Officer in the UK

1. Meet the Eligibility Criteria: To apply for a position as a prison officer, you need to meet certain basic requirements:
   • Be at least 18 years old.
   • Have the right to work in the UK (UK citizen or with appropriate visa status).
   • Pass security clearance and background checks (including a criminal record check).
   • Be physically fit and able to complete the physical fitness tests required for the role.
   • Hold a full UK driving licence (required for some positions).
2. Apply for a Prison Officer Role: You can apply for prison officer roles through the HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) website, where you will find vacancies across England and Wales. You can also look for roles in private prisons, which may have separate recruitment processes. Applications generally involve submitting a CV and filling out an online application form that includes questions about your skills, experience, and motivation for becoming a prison officer.
3. Pass the Recruitment Process: The recruitment process for prison officers involves several stages:
   • Online Tests: After your application, you will typically be asked to complete online tests that assess your situational judgment, numerical reasoning, and verbal reasoning. These tests are designed to evaluate your ability to think critically and solve problems.
   • Fitness Test: You’ll need to pass a physical fitness test, which may include running, lifting, and performing other physical activities to demonstrate that you are fit for the role.
   • Assessment Day: You will be invited to an assessment centre, where you will take part in various activities, such as role-play exercises, interviews, and group discussions. These exercises assess your ability to handle the demands of the job, including conflict resolution, communication, and teamwork.
   • Background Checks: You will undergo extensive background checks, including a criminal record check and security clearance, to ensure you are suitable to work in a secure environment.
4. Complete Prison Officer Training: Once you have passed the recruitment process, you will undergo formal training to become a prison officer. The Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) is a comprehensive program that lasts 10-12 weeks and covers:
   • Security procedures
   • Conflict management and de-escalation techniques
   • First aid and emergency response
   • Understanding inmate behavior and rehabilitation strategies
   • Physical control and restraint training
5. Gain Practical Experience: You will also gain practical experience through on-the-job training in a real prison environment under the supervision of experienced officers.
6. Start Working as a Prison Officer: After completing your training, you will begin working as a prison officer. Your duties will include supervising inmates, ensuring security, managing daily routines, and promoting rehabilitation programs. You will work alongside a team of officers and may take on shifts, including nights and weekends, to maintain 24-hour security in the prison.
7. Progress in Your Career: With experience, you can progress to more senior roles within the prison system, such as becoming a Supervising Officer, Custodial Manager, or even a Governor. You may also choose to specialize in areas such as rehabilitation programs, mental health support, or security operations.

Tips for Aspiring Prison Officers

• Build Your Physical Fitness: The role is physically demanding, reflected in the fitness tests performed during the initial selection process. Suppose you maintain a good level of fitness before joining. In that case, you will find the tests easier to pass and be able to manage the physical elements of the role.
• Prepare for stress: Prison work is hard and potentially upsetting. The better you prepare emotionally to cope with the pressure of high-octane environments, the more likely you are to succeed.
• Obtain Volunteer or Pro Bono Experience: Volunteer or pro bono experience in the field can provide valuable experience in working with vulnerable or challenging populations and bolster your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Become a Prison Officer?

Working as a prison officer allows you allows you to be part of a system designed to maintain order and help keep our prisons safe and secure. You may also have the chance to assist inmates in transforming their lives for the better and successfully reintegrating them into society. If you care about criminal justice, thrive in a structured environment and want a fulfilling and demanding job, this may be your career.

Is a Career as a Prison Officer Right for You?

A prison officer’s career suits anyone who is resilient, has strong communication and conflict resolution skills, and can work in a secure environment. They should be able to cope with stressful situations and professionally make quick decisions.

What Are the Salary Prospects for Prison Officers in the UK?

Recruits to the prison service can expect to be paid between £23,000 and £30,000 per year. Salaries increase with experience, up to £30,000 to £35,000, and, for some senior officers or managers, more than £35,000 to £40,000, depending on the role and the location.

What Qualifications Are Needed to Become a Prison Officer?

You don’t need any formal qualifications to be a prison officer. However, you will need a process involving online assessments, a fitness test, vetting, and an assessment centre. Before starting work, you must also complete the Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT).

Do You Need Work Experience to Start a Career as a Prison Officer?

No previous employment experience is needed, although relevant experience such as security, law enforcement or social work is useful, as is experience managing challenging behaviour, working in a pressurised environment, or supporting vulnerable people.

What Is the Career Outlook for Prison Officers?

The demand for prison officers remains stable, and people will always need to manage the prison population and security. There are further opportunities for career progression within the HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) and in the private prison sector. With experience, you can expect to progress into more senior roles and specialise in rehabilitation, mental health, or prison management.

What Are the Career Progression Options for Prison Officers?

Prison officers can also progress into more senior positions, like Supervising Officer, Custodial Manager or Governor, with greater responsibility for the leadership and management of prisons and prison staff. Skills can also be developed in rehabilitation programming, security operations or mental health services. Some senior officers or managers move into broader criminal justice roles or take on work related to policy development and prison reform.

What Are the Exit Options and Opportunities Beyond Prison Officer Work?

Working in prison provides officers with many transferable skills – communication, conflict management, leadership, and problem-solving – which are useful in other sectors: law enforcement, social services, security, probation services or youth work. Some officers move to roles in the wider criminal justice system as probation and parole officers. In contrast, others may work in other sectors such as teaching, counselling or mental health services.