ADD ADVICE TO FAVPrison officer
Prison officers work in different types of prisons – open (low security), female, high security, juveniles, young offenders and remand centres. They help ensure the security and safety of prisoners.
What prison officers do
- help offenders deal with being in prison and help them to address their offending behaviour
- supervise prisoners’ activities
- aid in rehabilitating and training offenders, ,giving prisoners advice, support and counselling via a Personal Officer scheme
- deal with any disruptions to the regime, maintaining control and order and helping to create a safe and secure environment
- receive and process new prisoners into prisons, assessing their needs and identifying possible self-harm issues
- search prisoners, accommodation blocks, vehicles, grounds and visitors into prisons.
Key skills for prison officers
- interest in dealing with social problems
- ability to react quickly and effectively under pressure, ie in incidents, acts of disorder
- sensitivity to others’ problems and issues
- good communication skills
- an ability to get on with people from different social backgrounds
- initiative, good leadership and people management skills
- an ability to defuse conflict in a professional and sensitive manner.
Training to be a prison officer
The Intensive Development Scheme provides the opportunity for graduates to progress to managing a busy operational unit within three years.
You will complete eight weeks’ Prison Officer Entry Level Training and then serve as a prison officer for a year. You will be assessed for suitability for promotion to Senior Officer in your second year. During these two years you will complete a range of intensive training courses.
Salaries for prison officers
Starting salary is £17,744 plus local pay allowance of up to £4,250. This rises to £28,000 on promotion to Senior Officer.
