To become a prison officer, you will need to: be at least 18 years old have the right to work in the UK be reasonably fit and able to pass our fitness test have good eyesight in both eyes (both with and without corrective lenses) For safety reasons, everyone training to be a prison officer needs a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids). To work in a high security prison (category A) you must have been a resident in the UK for the last three years.
As a prison officer, you’ll be part of a diverse team, making an impact, doing meaningful work in our prisons. Working in a prison is fast-paced and varied, and no two days are the same. You’ll work with a range of people and perform a variety of tasks – from keeping the prison safe and secure, to helping vulnerable people through a difficult time in their lives. Once you’ve qualified, you’ll have a range of opportunities to specialise and progress your career and earning potential. It can be a challenging job, but in return you will get good pay, training, benefits and have the support of a strong team.