HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Prison Officer - HMP Elmley
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202607: Prison Officer - HMP Elmley
Prison Officer – HMP Elmley
Location: HMP Elmley, Eastchurch, Church Rd, South East England, ME12 4DZ Salary: Starting at £40,316 (for 39 working hours, including 20% unsocial hours allowance) Work Pattern: Various shifts, evenings, weekends, and public holidays (39-hour weekly week) Region: Kent Vacancy Type: Merit
About the Role
An extraordinary job—done by someone like you.
Prison officers protect the public, safeguard society, and make a positive impact on prisoners’ lives. This role offers a fast-paced, varied career with opportunities to use your communication skills, resilience, and empathy every day—whether mediating conflicts, supporting rehabilitation, or ensuring security.
Being a prison officer isn’t just a job; it’s a meaningful career path where your strengths, character and commitment can make a real difference.
Core Responsibilities
- Begin as part of the prison officer team, with ongoing development opportunities
- Work closely with prisoners to build professional, constructive relationships
- Monitor, supervise, and rehabilitate in line with prison safeguard standards
- Mediate peacekeeping and conflict resolution among inmates
- Support education, mental health, and substance misuse programs
- Ensure building security and controlled movement within the facility
- Uphold Courts (Secure Testing) Order and adhere to department policies
- Promote safe, inclusive environments where both prisoners and staff thrive
- Enforce safety standards such as safe cell setup and eviction procedures
This role is as challenging as it is rewarding, and it demands commitment, integrity, and courage.
Requirements
Essential Criteria
Applicants must meet the following prerequisites:
- Be at least 18 years old on commencement of employment
- Meet Civil Service nationality requirements
- Satisfy medical and fitness standards:
- Pass medically approved eyesight tests (≥20/40 with/without contact lenses in each eye)
- Demonstrate suitable hearing (40 decibels or better in gestural, face-to-face settings)
- Achieve satisfactory blood pressure, physical mobility and general health tests
- Avoid possessing or promenoting any visible tattoos deemed discriminatory, harmful, or intimidating
- Facial tattoos are rarely accepted unless culturally, religiously or medically necessary
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Additional note for high security roles: To work at category A prisons (e.g., HMP Elmley), you must have resided in the UK for the preceding 3 years.
Right to Work and Visa Sponsorship
- Sponsorship is not guaranteed. Applicants must ensure and maintain their legally valid right to work in the UK.
- Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be considered on a case-by-case basis; however, due to current UK policy and timescales, sponsorship is unlikely to be successful for new campaigns.
Key Competencies and Attributes
No formal qualifications are required, but these personal traits are mandatory:
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Effective, unbiased decision-making
- Commitment to a safe, secure, quality-driven service
- Ability to care, understand, and support those in distress
- Resilience, adaptability, and dedication within a team environment
Benefits
- Starting Salary: £40,316 (39-hour work week including 20% unsocial hours allowance)
- Flexible Working Hours:
- Initial training for 37 hours per week
- Post-training hours can be chosen at 37, 39, or 41 hours per week
- Pay reflects hours worked: 39-hour salaries: £40,316/year; 41-hour: £42,834/year; 37-hour: £38,428/year
- Bonus Pays: Full schedule can include paid overtime and additional hours
Additional Perks
- 30 days annual leave (minimum 25 days rising after 10 years of service)
- 2 privilege days (change of shift) gratitude allowance
- Civil Service pension (employer matches 28.97%)
- Transport benefits including transfers via cycle-to-work scheme
- Civil Service Discount Card access
- Mission Values and International Recognition
Assessment and Training
Selection Process
During your recruitment, we will assess:
-
Online tests:
- Stage 1: Basic judgement and numerical skills
- Stage 2: Values-based assessment via the online values assessment test
-
Online Assessment Centre (OAC) to gauge suitability by testing assessed abilities, behaviours, and strengths
-
Eligibility: Successful or unsuccessful at the OAC may progress to applying further roles or wait for 12 months or undergo a 6-month debarment period.
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Additional Training and Clearance
-
Operational-Support Grade (OSG) application: if not suitable as a PO and passing OAC
-
Medical and physical checks will assess healthy working capability
Location Specific Information
- This role requires working shifts and weekends including public holidays
- Transport advice and options: Due to Rural Location, owning a vehicle or driving license is beneficial but not mandatory. Shifts are set based on a rotating schedule.
Right to Apply
Eligibility Criteria Overview
The position is open to applicants who fall under the following categories:
- UK/EU nations eligible at present
- Candidates from Republic of Ireland
- Commonwealth nationals with UK rights
- EU nationals coming from: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein eligible through EUSS
Additional Notes From Civil Service Policy
- About diversity and inclusion
Our commitment is to hiring every first-rate applicant globally amidst all gender, ethnicity, and faith backgrounds.
- Advancing opportunities through Disability Planning
- Supports through various diversity program initiatives.
- Further guidance under the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Additional Information
- Closing Date: 23rd July 2026
- Recruitment Contact: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team (Phone: 0345 241 5358, Email: Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.com)
- Critical Reply: Refer to Job Reference 19407
Ensuring a Successful Fit
This role presents the chance to work in high-stimulation environments, balance key personnel safety standards, and impact offenders' lives positively. We welcome challenges with a thorough attention to detail, supporting morale and advancing on professional development at every stage.
To determine whether this career is a viable next step, please complete an optional online insight activity highlighting your confidence in high-stress influences, security roles or engagement situations. Your responses cannot impact your application approval.
Can you be a Prison Officer? Success relies not only on qualifications but on your personal strengths and commitment.
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