HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Prison Officer - HMP Wayland
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202607: Prison Officer - HMP Wayland
Prison Officer – HMP Wayland
Location: Griston, East of England, IP25 6RL HMP Wayland, Thompson Rd, Griston, Thetford
Job Summary
Prison Officer – £36,816 (for a 39-hour week, including 20% unsocial hours allocation). Sustaining public safety while rehabilitating prisoners.
About the Role
Why This Job is Extraordinary
Prison officers play a crucial role in protecting the public and positively impacting the lives of prisoners. This multi-faceted career blends multiple responsibilities, including:
- Peacekeeping
- Counselling & support
- Mental health engagement
- Conflict resolution
- Security enforcement
This role merges clientside care with operational security, delivering a dynamic working environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Work directly with prisoners working through challenging backgrounds, offering rehabilitation.
- Monitor and ensure safe and humane facilities while maintaining prison security standards.
- Act independently to de-escalate conflicts and interact professionally, assuring safe operations.
- Establish effective relationships of trust with prisoners and colleagues.
- Follow diligent access of staff standards for safety, challenging conduct when necessary.
- Promote good expected behaviour from prisoners to encourage rehabilitation.
- Enforce rules and supervise facilities in line with official policy.
- Resolve day-to-day security issues, record data/details, and coordinate with colleagues.
Requirements
Eligibility
✔ Age: Minimum 18 years old at start of employment. ✔ Health & Fitness:
- Pass the medical and fitness assessment, including:
- Vision check (adequate with or without corrective lenses)
- Hearing assessment (acceptable standard without hearing aids)
- General health sufficient for an active role ✔ Tattoo Policy:
- Allowed unless deemed offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating.
- Facial tattoos only permissible for cultural/religious/medical reasons.
For high-security prison roles (Category A):
- Must have resided in the UK for at least three consecutive years.
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Travel
- Preferred: Has a driving licence, but not mandatory (unless placed in an isolated location).
Nationality Requirements
Open to:
- UK nationals
- Republic of Ireland citizens
- Commonwealth and EU nationals with legal right to work in the UK (normal or pre-settled under EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)).
- Turkish nationals, certain relatives.
Full eligibility details: UK Nationality Requirements
Culture and values essential:
- Truthful insight – adheres strictly to government passcodes and whistleblowing.
- Constructive courage – speaking up for improved services.
Starting Roles & Career Growth
Training Details
- Starter role: 37 hours/week training (up to 3 months).
- Full-time as a prison officer: 37, 39, or 41 hrs/week (salaries accordingly).
Salary (Including Unsocial Allowance)
37 hrs/week: £34,928 39 hrs/week: £36,816 41 hrs/week: £39,334
For 3* security, remnants of absentee role and additional duties add to exact-pay on seniority.
Work Patterns
Given:
- Operates 24/7, so this includes:
- Day/evening shifts
- Weekends & public holidays
- Additional earned-paid hours available.
Rest Days
Principal pattern based on three-day rest in a rotating week.
Support & Benefits
Holistic & Social Offerings
- 25 leave days/year (30 anniversary for 10+ year service).
- Paid public holidays + 1 privilege day/year.
- Civil Service Pension:
- Employer matching contributions of 28.97%.
- Cycle-to-work & travel loans scheme.
- Veteran Friendliness: Assessment support for eligible Armed Forces applicants through "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative".
- Mental Health: Access for elite support and past returning colleagues.
Training Opportunities
- Teacher accreditation, vocational assets, and advanced leadership (e.g., *Custodial Supervision).
- Alternate teaching ability, specialising in security/rehab focus.
Recruitment Process
- Online Application: Key eligibility screening per stated personality & fitness.
- Stage One: ACh recue stages, including online judgment and numerical tests.
- Stage Two: Civil Service Values Assessment judging character fit.
- Online Assessment Centre (O.A.C.) assessing skills & behaviours.
- Merit List Created: Scores determining placement priority; holds for 12 months.
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Success Alignment
- High-screened candidates: Offered a clear urgency path to professional growth.
- From Stage One to department-style passing: Strics will probe aptitude and teamwork in class-based role-performance events.
Alternative Offer
Following the OAC, candidates may be offered a role as an Operational Support Grade (OSG) if a disconnect in aptitude is evident for Senior Officer aspirations.
Security & Processing
- Vetting checks required prior to recruitment.
- Baseline personnel security standard completed by successful applicants.
- Medical checks including complex earsides and nearby region medicals required for attending assessment days.
Contact/Queries
Further assistance:
- Phone: 0345 241 5358 (Mon–Fri, 08:00-18:00)
- Email: Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
- Ref: Job Reference 19541
Veteran Schemes
Veterans Guaranteed Interview Process – provide those with formal verified military background roles crossing their service biography to formalised access and recruitment.
Eligibility details: Gov UK Veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Remaining diversity transparent—considered for experienced applicants seeking operational adjustment or a new role within the MoJ scope.
Closing Date
23rd July 2026
🔗 Civil Service Candidate Portal (Further Info): Justice Jobs Recruitment Questions
Follow the Employment Checklist, Benefit Guide or Secure Vetting Process for full Regulations and Question Details.
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