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Prison service officers (below Principal Officer) direct, co-ordinate and participate in guarding inmates and maintaining discipline in prisons and other detention centres.

Main tasks

  • Reports on prisoners’ conduct as necessary.
  • Trains and supervises prison staff.
  • Provides care and support to prisoners in custody including prevention of self-harm.
  • Runs prisoner rehabilitation and support programmes.
  • Escorts prisoners transferred from one institution to another.
  • Investigates disturbances or any other unusual occurrences.
  • Guards entrances and perimeter walls.
  • Watches for any infringements of regulations and searches prisoners and cells for weapons, drugs and other contraband items.
  • Escorts prisoners to and from cells and supervises them during meals, recreation and visiting periods.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£39,375.03

Average earnings

£29,758.61

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Psychology

Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 0 0%
Level 1 10%
Level 2 33%
Level 3 27%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 13%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 13%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 4%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.