HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Prison Officer - HMP Channings Wood
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202607: Prison Officer - HMP Channings Wood
Prison Officer – HMP Channings Wood
Location HMP Channings Wood, Greenhill Lane, Denbury, Newton Abbot, TQ12 6DW
Salary Starting salary: £36,816 (for a 39-hour week, including 20% unsocial hours allowance)
City/Town Torquay
Region South West
Vacancy Type Merit-based
About the Role
An extraordinary job, done by someone like you.
Prison officers play a critical role in protecting the public and positively influencing the lives of prisoners. This varied and challenging career offers opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and a unique working environment where you could be a peacekeeper, counsellor, teacher, and mentor all in one day.
Key Responsibilities
- Work directly with prisoners, helping them during what may be one of the lowest points in their lives.
- Maintain positive, professional, and constructive relationships while maintaining safety standards.
- Operate as part of a close-knit team, ensuring that HMP Channings Wood, staff, and public remain safe.
- Work varied shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays.
- Carry out a range of duties that keep prisoners engaged, secure, and prepared for reintegration into society.
Eligibility
To become a prison officer, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old at the start of employment.
- Meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements (see below for details).
- Pass a medical and fitness assessment (including eyesight and hearing tests).
- Hold a suitable standard of hearing (not Australian or otherwise, unless specifically waived by UKAD).
- Do not have any tattoos judged as discriminatory, offensive, violent, or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable unless for cultural, religious, or medical reasons.
- In high-security prisons (Category A), you must have lived in the UK for the last 3 years.
Travel to Work: While owning a vehicle and a driving licence is beneficial, it is not essential unless specified in a particular posting.
Nationality Requirements
Eligible applicants include:
- UK nationals
- Republic of Ireland nationals
- Commonwealth country nationals with the right to work in the UK
- EU nationals, citizens of Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and their family members, provided they have settled or pre-settled status under EUSS or have made a valid application.
- Turkish nationals and certain family members with accrued right to work in the Civil Service.
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Essential Skills
You don’t need academic qualifications, but you must demonstrate:
- Think on your feet with effective problem-solving skills.
- Clear communication skills to engage and influence a variety of individuals.
- Empathy and genuine care in supporting prisoners through challenges.
- Resilience and commitment to quality, prioritising safety and professionalism.
No degree, or even past relevant experience is necessary, but a strong personal suitability is required.
Pay and Hours
- During training: 37 hours per week (£34,928 per year).
- After training: 37, 39, or 41-hour workweeks accordingly:
- £34,928 for 37 hours/week
- £36,816 for 39 hours/week (including unsociable hours allowance)
- £39,334 for 41 hours/week
Additional support includes update offers for further development:
- Extra shift hours as required.
Benefits
- 25 days annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years' service)
- Paid public holidays + one extra privilege day
- Civil Service Pension Scheme with employer contributions of 28.97%
- Cycle-to-work scheme & travel support
- A supportive working community with opportunities for personal and professional development.
Additional pension breakdown: Alongside your salary, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £10,118 per year.
Application Assessment Process
To become a prison officer, you’ll undergo an application process that examines:
Key Assessment Areas:
- Behaviour & motivations
- Communication & influencing
- Quality management & decision-making skills
- Empathy & caring attitude
Online Tests:
- Stage 1 (Judgement & Numeracy): Assesses foundational skills for the role.
- Stage 2 (Values-Based Assessment): Focuses on whether your behaviour aligns with the essential values of effective prison officers.
Note: Re-applying after a failed Stage 2 test in the past 6 months is allowed.
Online Assessment Centre (OAC):
- Assesses your abilities, strengths, and potential.
Merit-Based Selection:
- This is a merit vacancy. Successful completion of the OAC places your name on a merit list.
- A 12-month validity window allows continuous scoring against available roles, with higher scores leading to earlier hiring. -completed candidates will be considered for an alternative position.
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Additional Role Support
Atrium Functional (OSG Role):
- If unsuccessful in obtaining a Prison Officer position, but interested in supporting through driving duties, you may be offered a role as an OSG.
- Enhanced Secure Environment: Mandatory to hold a valid UK driving licence.
Medical & Fitness Test: Tests cover:
- Hearing requirements (with hearing aids allowed)
- Medication & health screening
- Blood pressure checks
Assessments take place only in the UK, and must be completed at an available suite.
Criminal Record Check & Security Standard:
- Baseline security checks under Personnel Security Standard.
Special Considerations
Reasonable Adjustments:
As a Disability Confident employer, adjustments for applicants are facilitated based on supporting evidence.
Language Requirement: All duties require spoken understanding and use of English, or another varied requirement specified.
Respecting Integrity and Diversity:
- The Civil Service Recruitment Principles underpin fair competition and cultural integration.
- Guaranteed interview scheme for veterans eligible to transition smoothly with their qualifications.
- Redeployment Interview Scheme assistance for civil servants seeking roles tied in emergencies or temporary necessities.
Additional Contact & Support
For Support: Telephone: (0345) 241 5358 (Monday to Friday; 8:00AM - 6:00PM) Email: Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gov.uk Job Reference: 19415 (Activation ID)
- Security Clearance & Compliance within the Civil Service.
- Fair Application & Equality to support all applicants.
Supportive Resources:
To explore the role deeply, engage with the Interactive Activity Link for on-screen challenges.
Closing Date: Contemporary opening – Not yet set.
Closing date for advertised version: 23rd July 2026 (Note: Review the “External Breadth” about aforementioned status closure.)
Veterans & MOJ Support:
- Details available here.
Questions?
Need Clarification? The team is ready to assist! Please do not hesitate to reach out via provided contact details for practical guidance!
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