Prison Officer – HMP Wayland
Location: Griston, Thetford (HMP Wayland address). Additional locations: Swaleside, Brabazon Rd, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, ME12 4AX.
Start of employment: 10-Jun-2026
Employment type: Full Time, Part Time, Job Share and Flexible Working.
Starting salary: £35,875 for a 39‑hour week (incl. 20% unsocial hours).
Vacancy type: Pass job vacancy.
Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available for this role, subject to eligibility and the UK Immigration Rules in force at the time of application. Sponsorship is not guaranteed; applicants are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate Right to Work in the UK for the duration of their employment.
Key responsibilities
Prison officers protect the public and make a positive impact on prisoners’ lives. The role requires:
- Managing a safe prison environment, including peacekeeping, safeguarding, and conflict resolution.
- Providing counselling and support to prisoners to assist in their rehabilitation.
- Carrying out various duties in a fast‑paced setting, such as surveillance, risk assessment, and health and welfare support.
- Working as part of a team, covering various shifts including evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays.
- Keeping accurate records and reporting on incidents and prisoner behaviour.
- Adhering to all health and safety, security and procedural policies.
Eligibility & qualifications
- Be at least 18 years old at commencement of employment.
- Meet Civil Service Nationality requirements (see below).
- Pass medical and fitness assessment, eyesight and hearing tests.
- For Category A prisons, be a UK resident for the last 3 years.
- Tattoos are permitted if not offensive or discriminatory; facial tattoos generally not acceptable.
Nationality requirements
- National of the Republic of Ireland.
- National of Commonwealth countries with right to work in the UK.
- National of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with valid settled or pre‑settled status.
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31‑12‑2020.
- Turkish nationals and certain family members with accrued right to work in the Civil Service.
Essential skills
- Communication and influencing.
- Commitment to quality.
- Care and understanding.
Pay and benefits
Training: 37‑hour week. Post‑training hours: 37, 39 or 41 hours per week. Corresponding annual salaries are:
- 37 hours = £33,746
- 39 hours = £35,875
- 41 hours = £38,003
Benefits include:
- 25 days annual holiday (increases to 30 days after 10 years).
- Paid off for public holidays and one extra privilege day.
- Civil Service pension with 28.97% employer contributions.
- Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits.
Recruitment process
Assessment stages include an online test (basic judgement, numerical and values‑based assessments), followed by an online assessment centre. Successful candidates receive a job offer immediately if a position is available, otherwise they are placed on a reserve list (valid for 12 months). Unsuccessful applicants may be subject to a six‑month waiting period before reapplying.
All applications are assessed against key behaviours and strengths: communicating, influencing, managing a quality service and caring. Numerical, written and spoken English are also assessed.
Language requirement
All spoken aspects of the role must be in English, or Welsh when specified for positions in Wales.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Applicants must provide truthful, factually accurate statements derived from personal experience. Plagiarism or the use of AI to generate content as personal experience may result in withdrawal of the application or internal disciplinary action.
Other schemes
The Civil Service offers a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible veterans and a Redeployment Interview Scheme for those at risk of redundancy.
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