HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Prison Officer - HMP Berwyn
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202607: Prison Officer - HMP Berwyn
Prison Officer - HMP Berwyn
Location: HMP Berwyn, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Bridge Rd N, Wrexham LL13 9QE Starting Salary: £36,816 (for a 39-hour week, including 20% unsocial hours allowance) Region: Wales Vacancy Type: Merit
About the Role
An extraordinary job for someone like you—prison officers protect the public while making a positive impact on prisoners’ lives. This dynamic role requires integrity, empathy, strength of character, and a commitment to varied responsibilities, including enforcing rules, mentoring, and problem-solving in high-pressure environments.
No single background fits the "typical" prison officer. You might be a parent, teacher, retail worker, or former military member—or simply someone with natural people skills, resilience, and strong teamwork values. This role is for those who thrive in fast-paced, unpredictable settings and want to contribute to reformation and public safety.
Key Responsibilities
Your day-to-day duties are broad and challenging, requiring adaptability. You could be:
- A peacekeeper, maintaining order and de-escalating tensions.
- A mentor, supporting prisoners in rehabilitation programs.
- A counsellor, addressing emotional or psychological needs.
- An educator, delivering training or executing safety protocols.
- A team leader, collaborating with colleagues to uphold security standards.
You’ll work directly with prisoners, including those at their most vulnerable, and your relationship-building skills are critical to fostering constructive change.
Essential Requirements
Eligibility is based on personal qualities and fitness rather than formal qualifications.
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old by the start date of employment.
- Nationality:
Eligible under the Civil Service rules, including:
- UK or Irish nationals
- Commonwealth citizens with the right to work in the UK
- EU/Swiss citizens with settled/pre-settled status under the EUSS scheme
- Must have lived in the UK for 3 years if applying to a category A (high-security) prison like HMP Berwyn.
- Medical/Fitness:
- Must pass a medical assessment, blood pressure check, and fitness test (e.g., stamina, strength assessments).
- Must meet sight and hearing standards (eyesight rules apply even with corrective lenses).
- Hearing: Must meet standard requirements without aids. Tattoos are permitted but not offensive or discriminatory (facial tattoos are generally restricted unless for cultural/religious/medical reasons).
- Right to Work in the UK: Sponsorship is not guaranteed—applicants must ensure compliance with UK immigration laws themselves. While Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be offered, constraints mean currently applicants depending on sponsorship may not be viable.
- Language: Must demonstrate proficiency in English (or Welsh, where applicable, in Wales).
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Desired Skills & Experience
Though no formal qualifications are mandatory, you must show:
- Communication & Influencing Skills: Ability to deal diplomatically, support prisoners, and influence others in demanding scenarios.
- Sound Judgement & Decision-Making: Handling crises with broken rules, conflicts, and security breaches while ensuring fairness and stability.
- Commitment & Resilience: This role involves trust, sustained effort, and adapting to ever-changing environments.
- Caring & Understanding: Genuine empathy to build positive relationships with individuals facing hardship.
Compensation & Rewards
Salary
Annual pay scales with hours worked:
- 37 hours/week: £34,928
- 39 hours/week: £36,816 (starting pay for this role)
- 41 hours/week: £39,334
Includes 20% "unsocial" allowance for shift work (evenings/nights/weekends).
- Pension: Employer contribution of 28.97% toward a Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- Holiday: £25 working days/year, rising to 30 days after 10 years.
- Extra Paid Days: Includes holidays (UK public holidays) and 2 privilege days.
- Transports: Cycle-to-work scheme, travel loans.
Assessment & Selection Process
Steps Involved
- Applications: Submit via the departman job portal by 23 July 2026.
- Online Tests:
- Stage 1: Judgement and numerical skills assessment.
- Stage 2: Values-based test evaluating your alignment with prison officer values (e.g., empathy, integrity).
If you completed Stage 2 within the last 6 months, you’re eligible to reapply.
- Online Assessment Centre (Virtual):
- Assesses behaviours, skills, and abilities (written/spoken English, numerical reasoning, written English).
- Merit-Based Selection:
- Offered to highly ranked applicants when vacancies open.
- Active for 12 months—must reapply after waiting periods if unsuccessful.
Alternative Role: Operational Support Grade (OSG)
If unsuccessful as a prison officer, you may be offered an Operational Support Grade role at a different facility, which does require a UK driving licence (driving is not essential to main role).
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Security & Compliance
- CRB (Enhanced) Check: Mandatory.
- PPA (Preventing Public Alarms) Check: Baseline personnel security required.
- Confidentiality: Undergoes training on the Civil Service Code and posting individual data protection
Lifestyle Considerations
- Shifts: Covers evenings, nights, Saturdays, weekdays, and holidays (holidays are offset within annual scheme).
- Transport: While a driving licence is preferable for some prisons, it’s not essential in this vacancy—ensure you can rely on flexible access to work during fixed shift times.
- Long-Term Commitment: Strong preference for long-term staff—redundancy is uncommon for experienced officers.
Benefits for Diversity & Inclusion
Duty to Veterans
Civil Service runs a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible ex-forces personnel. If selected, you can access:
- Support for employing veterans: GOV.UK "Making the Civil Service Great for Veterans".
Disability & Reasonable Adjustments
HM Prison & Probation Services is a Disability Confident Employer. Any adjustment (e.g., respiratory issues, deaf/hard of hearing, hearing aids) should be declared immediately via your application.
Next Steps
- Apply by: 23 July 2026 (Job Portal)
- Before Sitting Online Tests: Enable adjustment support if needed.
- Interested in the role?id=19230? Try the mock activity to understand daily challenges without scoring affect trial results.
- Need Help? Contact the SSCL Recruitment team:
- Tel: 0345 241 5358
- Email: MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
- Quote reference 19230 for this job.
Missed applications after deadline? Retain your records by saving a copy of the job and specifics.
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