Jobs in the prison and probation service
At their heart prison and probation service jobs are about rehabilitation. They also play a vital role in protecting society and improving lives. If you're up for the challenge find out more about the careers on offer
Prison officer jobs
As a uniformed prison officer working on the frontline, you'll be responsible for maintaining security and supervising prisoners on a day-to-day basis.
You'll need to display authority and enforce discipline at the same time as developing positive working relationships with prisoners. You may also play a role in training prisoners so they have useful skills when they're released.
Patrolling the prison, escorting prisoners, dealing with incidents, protecting vulnerable prisoners and maintaining prisoner records are all in a day's work.
Your employer is likely to be HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), an agency of the Ministry of Justice. However, some prisons are privately run by companies such as G4S and Serco - these prisons recruit officers independently.
For a full rundown of the duties, salary range, qualifications required and opportunities for career development, see the prison officer job profile.
To search for vacancies in England and Wales, see Prison and probation jobs - Become a prison officer.
The application process consists of an online test, prison tour, recruitment assessment day (including physical fitness test) and vetting.
If you have or are expecting a 2:1 degree in any subject, you may want to consider the Unlocked graduate programme.
It's an intensive two-year leadership scheme that puts you on the frontline as a prison officer, with a starting salary of £30,702 to £38,165 per year, depending on location.
After completing the six-week residential training programme, your role will be to work with prisoners to find ways to help them break the cycle of reoffending - so you'll have real responsibility from the start, as well as being mentored by an experienced prison officer.
During the second year of the scheme you'll have the chance to complete a two-week work placement at organisations such as KPMG, Google and the Civil Service, as well as the opportunity to spend time working in a different prison.
Throughout the programme, you'll be fully funded in studying part time over two years for the MSc in Applied Custodial Leadership from Leeds Trinity University. This will give you the knowledge and expertise to change attitudes and perceptions, while encouraging new approaches to prison reform.
Once the programme is over, you'll have gained the leadership skills to work in a variety of job sectors or to stay in the prison service if you choose.
The application process involves completing an online form and then attending an assessment centre.
Operational support grade (OSG) roles
As an OSG your job will revolve around prison support, which means you'll play a key role in ensuring the smooth and safe running of a prison. Unlike prison officers your contact with prisoners will be minimal. Instead your focus will be on tasks such as:
- searching staff, visitors and prisoner at the gate and ensuring safe entry and exit
- supervising visitors
- issuing staff keys and radios
- managing deliveries
- patrolling the perimeter fence
- monitoring phone calls and mail
- transporting prisoners and their escorts.
Specific qualifications aren't necessary as you'll be trained on the job but you will need basic maths, English and IT skills. To be successful as an OSG you'll also need good judgement, a clear sense of responsibility, problem-solving skills, confidence and the ability to work as part of a team. As the role entails lifting, carrying and long periods spent standing or walking a reasonable level of physical fitness is also required.
Starting salaries are in the region of £25,000 to £31,000.
To apply you make an online application. If you're invited to an interview and are successful you'll need to undergo and pass pre-employment checks before starting work.
Learn more about the operational and support grade role.
Prison instructor jobs
You can combine interests in teaching and offender rehabilitation by becoming a prison instructor. You'll work with prisoners in the classroom or workshop to help them develop vocational skills they can use to find employment when they're released.
Some instructors are uniformed prison officers who take on additional responsibility alongside their regular duties, while others are civilians employed in a full-time training role.
Among your tasks will be assessing the learning needs of prisoners, planning and running training sessions, supervising prisoners, and maintaining health and safety standards.
You'll usually need at least a Level 3 teaching qualification, as well as the same standard in your specialist subject area, plus some relevant work experience. Salaries range from £18,000 to £29,000, according to the National Careers Service.
Alternatively, learn more about how to become a teacher.
Become a prison governor
If you aspire to a leadership position you could become a prison governor. However, bear in mind that this is a job that requires years of experience, as governors are senior leaders with overall responsibility for their prison.
Their remit typically includes making inspections, maintaining discipline and security, managing prison staff, ensuring prisoners' welfare is looked after, handling budgets and meeting government targets. These tasks vary depending on the type and size of the prison.
The most common entry route is to get several years' experience as a prison officer (often a decade or more) and progress from there.
You'll need to be confident, assertive, and a strong team player to succeed. Report writing and speaking to large groups of people - both staff and prisoners - are central to the role, so excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
According to the National Careers Service, salaries for prison governors range from £47,500 to £75,500 per year, depending on experience.
Work in youth justice
You can join the prison service and work with young people by developing a career as a youth justice worker. You'll need patience, resilience and the ability to make quick but effective decisions as you work with 15 to 18 year old's in custody and support them to a better future.
Responsibilities include ensuring the security and safety of young people in a custodial environment, managing their behaviour and encouraging them to attend education sessions and activities. Expect a starting salary of £33,000 to £38,000.
No qualifications are needed as you'll be trained on the job. The application process takes six to eight months and involves:
- applying online
- online test
- online assessment centre
- a provisional offer
- pre-employment checks and a medical and fitness test.
Read up on what the role involves at become a youth justice worker.
Probation officer careers
Working with offenders before, during and after a prison sentence or community order, as a probation officer you'll help rehabilitate lawbreakers and reduce their risk of reoffending.
You'll liaise closely with colleagues throughout the criminal justice system - for example, in the police, courts and prison service - as well as with victims of crime.
To explore the role further, read about life as a probation officer.
Find out about the responsibilities, salary range and qualifications required by visiting the probation officer job profile.
To learn whether you're eligible and to apply for jobs in England and Wales with the Probation Service, part of HMPPS, see Train to be a probation officer.
Scotland and Northern Ireland operate their own criminal justice systems, which have their own structures and deliver probation services differently. To find opportunities in these countries, visit: