HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Prison Officer - HMP Portland and HMP The Verne
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202607: Prison Officer - HMP Portland and HMP The Verne
Prison Officer – HMP Portland & HMP The Verne
Location:
- HMP/YOI Portland, 104 Grove Road, Portland, DT5 1DL
- HMP The Verne, Verne Common Road, Portland, DT5 1EQ (South West England)
Summary
Join a dynamic team protecting the public and making a tangible impact on prisoners’ lives. Prison officers work in a varied, challenging role combining peacekeeping, mentorship, and rehabilitation—help shape lives while contributing to public safety.
About the Role
Why This Job Is Extraordinary
A prison officer’s day is anything but ordinary:
- Peacemaker – Managing conflict and maintaining order
- Counsellor – Providing support and rehabilitation
- Teacher – Helping prisoners address risks (e.g., substance abuse, offending behaviour)
- Communicator – Building trust and constructive relationships
This isn’t just a job—it’s a meaningful career for people with empathy, resilience, and commitment.
Responsibilities
You’ll work across the criminal trial cycle, focusing on:
- Offender Rehabilitation: Delivering education, training, and mental health interventions
- Security & Compliance: Enforcing prison rules, managing risks, and protecting staff/prisoners
- Prison Order: Collaborating to maintain a safe and structured environment
- Sampling Seed: Assessing risks and providing pathways to support prisoners’ resettlement
- Behavioral Support: Addressing challenges such as self-harm, suicide, assaults, and violence
- Community Relations: Working alongside PGOs (Progression Guidance Officers) to support officers
You may work in contexts such as high-dependency areas, entrances/exits, or port of arrival teams—every experience builds your capability.
Eligibility Requirements
Basic Criteria
- Must be at least 18 years old at the point of starting employment
- Must meet Civil Service nationality and right-to-work requirements (see below)
- Must pass a medical and fitness assessment, including:
- Eyesight test (with/without corrective lenses)
- Hearing (excluding reliance on hearing aids)
- General fitness for physically active duties
- UK residency requirement: If applying to work in a Category A prison, you must have resided in the UK for the last 36 months
Tattoo Policy:
All visible tattoos must be deemed not offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not permitted unless for cultural/religious/medical reasons.
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Key Skills Needed
*(No formal qualifications required—character and commitment matter most.)
Personal Attributes:
✔ Empathy & self-confidence: Your resilience and relational skills will help prisoners rebuild ✔ Team cohesion: Only strong teamwork keeps prisons safe and effective ✔ Communication skills: Influence others through words, language, and action ✔ Effective decision-making: Under pressure and in ambiguous situations, you’ll maintain calm
Duty Blocks:
- Injury, illness, or unsocial hour allowances will apply where applicable.
- East London’s unpredictable shift pattern (taxed at 20% under the Unsocial Hours Bill and Payment Regulations 2004).
- Roles in high-security sites experience heavier risks and potential unsocial shifts.
Pay & Hours
- Training Phase:
- 37 hours/week at £34,928 (pre-tax)
- Post-Training:
- Work flexible hours (37, 39, or 41 hours per week)
- Salary reflects your weekly hours:
- 37h = £34,928/year
- 39h = £36,816/year
- 41h = £39,334/year (All figures include applicable allowances)
Unsocial Hours Allowance: Reports incurred from working evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays.
Benefits
- Holidays: 25 days rising to 30 days after 10 years of service
- Holiday Entitlements: Includes paid public holidays (+1 privilege day)
Pension & Financial benefits:
- Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension with 28.97% employer contributions (salary also contributes £10,118/year)
Other benefits:
- Cycle-to-work schemes
- Travel loans
- Workplace discounts
Assessment Process
Prisons recruit via competitive merit-based competition with structured stages:
Stage 1: Application & Online Tests
- Judgement Test – Evaluates decision-making and analysis
- Numerical Reasoning – Checks problem-solving skills
(If unsuccessful at Stage 2 in the past 6 months, you may reapply.)
Stage 2: Online Values-Based Assessment
Assesses fidelity to Core Permissions like:
- Working collaboratively
- Promoting inclusion and challenge
- Creating psychological safety
- Demonstrating cultural awareness
Stage 3: Online Assessment Centre (OAC)
- Strengths & Motivations – Your natural drives and energy
- Language Skills & Decision-Making – English or Welsh (as applicable)
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Three potential outcomes:
- Offer for UCPO role
- Offer for OD (Operational/Duty Grading) role
- Offer for Support/Operational Support Graduate role (pre-apprenticeship)
Security & Medical Checks
- Successful candidates undergo:
- EU Criminal Record Check (criminal history if internal/appointed)
- Fractional Personality and Mental Health Review (if relocation to England)
- DVT app’s baseline security clearance (includes background checks)
- Medical Fitness Test (hope your health standards are included Birmingham and Dudley)
(Note: Assessments must take place within the UK—international applicants directed to STQ5 for further arrangements.)
About Workplace Culture
Values & Dignity
Prisons are Dignity Champion zones. All staff focus on positive prisoner pathways while enacting high-start behaviour standards.
Fingerprint Free Role
Occupants consent if debriefed for conversions or placements, aligning with recent national reforms.
COVID-19 Safeguards
- Prisons operate "Infection Control Plan" policies for biosecurity
- Mission Gospel ensures tagged/backed warrants prior to receiving visitors.
- Annual reporting and position-appropriate risk assessments outlined per role
Diversity & Inclusion
HM Prison & Probation Service stands for inclusivity. Multiple schemes exist:
- "Great Place to Work for Veterans" – Guaranteed interviews for ex-Forces candidates
- Disability Confident Employer – Provides reasonable adjustments
- Redundancy Support – Redeployment opportunities
How to Apply
- Vacancy Close Date: 23rd July 2026
- Contact: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team / Quoting Job Ref: 19556
- Email: MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
- Phone: 0345 241 5358 (Mon–Fri, 8am – 6pm)
Resources, Support & Clarification
- Campus Link/ North East Division
- Application Guidance Herein
- Candidate Assessment Guidance at Justice Jobs’ Candidate Portal
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