Discover more about the role, environment and recruitment process
The initial recruitment process includes application, online tests, telephone interview and assessment (either face to face or virtual). If successful you'll be required to go through strict security & vetting checks which will allow you to work in this secure environment. The checks are conducted via the Home Office and can up to 6 weeks to complete.
The application process: Follow these 6 simple steps.
If you'd like to pursue a career as a Prison Officer you'll go through the following recruitment and training journey.
Application
Select the Prison Officer role you're interested in and confirm your right to work status.
Online Assessment and Screening
Your application will be reviewed by one of our Talent Specialists. If you meet the criteria as set out in the advert you'll be invited via email to complete some online assessments.
If you successfully pass the online assessment, you'll be contacted by one our team for a telephone interview to answer some eligibility screening questions.
Interview
Upon review & passing of the eligibility screening, you'll be booked into either a virtual or face to face interview.
The interview will take around 1 hour and will consist of:
- Competency Based Interview
- Role Play
- Written Exercise
- Maths Assessment
Fitness Testing
Once you've successfully passed your interview, you'll be scheduled in to complete your Fitness Test. The Fitness Test consists of:
- Bleep Test – You'll be required to complete 15 metre shuttle runs in time with the bleeps and will last approximately 3 minutes and 40 seconds and will have to reach level 5.4.
- Agility Test – Running around set course of cones under a particular time scale.
- Shield Hold Test – Holding shield out in front of you at a 45-degree angle for 1 minute
- Grip Test - 28KG (on both hands)
Provisional Offer and Vetting
If you're successful following the assessments, one of our Talent Specialists will call you to make you an offer. If you verbally accept at this point we'll get a formal offer of employment to you.
If there are no immediate roles available, we'll put you in to our talent pool until the next opportunity arises.
Onboarding & Training Centre
The time it takes to complete your vetting varies depending on your work history and where you've lived. Whilst we are waiting for your clearance, one of the Talent Acquisition Specialists will be in touch to let you know next steps and be on hand to ask any questions you may have. We'll also put you in touch with the local vetting contact who can further support you through the process.
Prison Officer training takes 10 weeks and you'll be offered the next place, subject to clearance. The training consists of both classroom learning and on-the job shadowing and at the end of the training you'll take some tests to ensure you're competent to become a Prison Officer.
Discover how I went from protecting the country to protecting the public as a PCO
Having left the armed forces, I was keen to build a career in a field where my good communication skills and ability to deal with challenging situations would be valued. Becoming a Prison Officer seemed a natural next step.
Rob Manton, Prison Officer
Frequently asked questions
Please see a list of questions we regularly get asked, hopefully you will find the answer below, if not please email our recruitment team and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
You'll need to have a valid passport together with a valid permit or visa, if applicable, or a birth certificate with proof of national insurance, which shows your right to live and remain in the UK.
Within our custodial establishments there is career progression, if you wish to continue with your Prison Officer career you can move in to a management role you can become a Custodial Operations Manager and then Assistant Director and Deputy Director. There are also other departments within the custodial establishments that you can move in to such as; psychology, industries, education and security.
As a large organisation we do have various roles available both within the Justice and Immigration Sector and broader Serco Group.
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Prison Officer Careers
