General job details: Location: HMP Onley, Rugby CV23 8AP. City/Town: Rugby. Region: East Midlands. Salary: £35,875 for a 39‑hour week (includes 20% unsocial hours). Vacancy type: Merit.
Sponsorship: This role is not guaranteed to be sponsored for Skilled Worker visa. Applicants should verify their right to work in the UK before applying.
Prison officer – HMP Onley
Prison officers protect the public and influence the lives of prisoners. They work a variety of shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays. Duties include maintaining safety, delivering education and training, providing counselling, and supporting prisoners’ rehabilitation.
Someone like you
You will bring empathy, self‑confidence, strong communication skills and resilience. Whether you are a parent, teacher, former armed forces, or simply a natural people person, you will forge constructive, professional relationships with prisoners, often at their lowest point.
Eligibility
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Meet Civil Service nationality requirements.
- Pass a medical and fitness assessment (including eyesight and hearing).
- Meet required eyesight standard with and without corrective lenses.
- Standard hearing without hearing aids.
- Tattoos must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; visible tattoos are permitted, facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious or medical reasons.
- For high‑security (Category A) prisons, you must have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years.
Travel to Work
Parking and public transport may be limited. A driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not essential, unless specified. Shift start and finish times are fixed; you must be able to reach the prison on time.
Nationality requirements
- UK nationals.
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland.
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK.
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS). See https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families.
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and family members who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS.
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020.
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.
Successful candidates must maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK.
Essential skills
- Communication and influencing skills.
- Commitment to quality.
- Effective decision‑making.
- Care and understanding.
Pay
Initial training is 37 hours a week. After training you may choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week. Annual salaries are:
- 37 hours a week – £33,746 a year.
- 39 hours a week – £35,875 a year.
- 41 hours a week – £38,003 a year.
All figures include applicable allowances.
Benefits
- 25 days’ annual holiday (increases to 30 days after 10 years of service).
- Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day.
- Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97 %.
- Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits.
Assessment Process
- Communicating and influencing.
- Managing a quality service.
- Making effective decisions.
- Caring.
Additional assessments of numerical, written English and spoken English ability will be conducted.
Online Tests
After submitting your application you will complete stage 1 (basic judgement and numerical skills). If successful, you will be invited to stage 2 – a values‑based assessment.
Job Offers – Merit Vacancy
Successful candidates will be placed on a merit list after the online assessment centre. Positions become available as they are offered. The merit list is valid for 12 months; afterwards, you must re‑apply.
Medical and Fitness
Applicants will undergo a medical and fitness test covering eyesight, hearing, and basic health screening. Assessments can only be completed in the UK.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code outlines the standards of behavior expected of Civil Servants. Recruitment is by merit on fair and open competition. If a candidate believes the recruitment process has breached principles they may raise a complaint in the following order:
- Shared Services Connected Ltd – 0845 241 5358 (Mon‑Fri 08:00‑18:00) or email: Moj‑recruitment‑vetting‑enquiries@gov.sscl.com.
- Ministry of Justice Resourcing.
- The Civil Service Commission.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. Refer to the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Reasonable Adjustment Support
As a Disability Confident employer the MoJ ensures candidates can demonstrate their skills. Arrangements for reasonable adjustments should be made well in advance of online tests or assessment centre attendance.
Level of security checks required
DBS Enhanced
Closing Date
25 June 2026
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