The Ministry of Justice is seeking dedicated and resilient Prison Officers to join HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes. This role requires strong communication and influencing skills, a commitment to quality, effective decision-making, and a caring and understanding approach to managing offenders. As part of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), Prison Officers play a vital role in maintaining safety, rehabilitation, and order within the facility.
This is a rewarding career opportunity for individuals who want to make a real difference in the criminal justice system. Please note: HMPPS cannot guarantee sponsorship for those requiring a Skilled Worker visa. Apply now to take the first step toward a meaningful and impactful role in the justice sector.
About the Ministry of Justice
Each year, millions of people across the UK rely on the services provided by the Ministry of Justice, including access to courts and legal aid, interactions with prison and probation officers, and essential advice and support from its agencies. Employees take pride in working for an organization that has a real and positive impact on people’s lives.
Staff members collaborate within the organization and across government to uphold the principles of justice—whether by providing advice and guidance to prevent reoffending or by shaping policies and communications that bring justice to life for society.
The Ministry of Justice offers meaningful and impactful career opportunities for individuals committed to making a difference. Employees benefit from a flexible work-life balance, a generous pension scheme, and a wide range of professional development opportunities, including courses, accredited apprenticeships, and staff voucher programs.
Position: Prison Officer – HMP Woodhill
Salary: £35,948 – £40,041
Job Type: Full time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
About the Role
An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you.Prison officers protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners’ lives.
If you have the integrity, skills and strength of character we’re looking for, this fast-paced role could be the start of a successful career.
An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you.Prison officers protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners’ lives.
If you have the integrity, skills and strength of character we’re looking for, this fast-paced role could be the start of a successful career.
Due to the security status of this prison a Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC vetting) will need to be undertaken. Proof that you have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years is needed to complete the CTC vetting process. Applicants who do not meet the residency requirement will not be able to take up post at this prison. (please refer to CTC section below)
Someone like you
T’s no such thing as a typical prison officer. Our officers come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, have worked in retail, the armed forces, or just feel like you’re a natural people person, you’ll have the empathy, self-confidence, great communication skills and resilience we want. No matter the challenge, you’ll take the time to build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners who could be at the lowest point in their lives.
Teamwork plays a vital role in this environment, so you’ll need to be fully committed to supporting your colleagues and understand the importance of acting as one team to keep the prison, and everyone who works safe.
You will be required to work various shifts and some weekends.
An extraordinary job
In this unique career, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day. One minute you’re a peacekeeper, the next you’re a counsellor or a teacher. You’ll work directly with prisoners in a unique environment, helping to protect the public and make a positive impact.
Eligibility
- To become a prison officer, you will need to:
- Be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment
- Meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements (see nationality requirements section below)
- As this is a physically active job, you will need to pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process
- Meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes (both with and without corrective lenses)
- For safety reasons, everyone training to be a prison officer needs a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids)
- Whilst tattoos are permitted, including those that are visible, they must not be deemed as offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating in any way. Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable, except where this is for cultural, religious, or medical reasons.
Due to the security status of this prison a Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC vetting) will need to be undertaken. Proof that you have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years is needed to complete the CTC vetting process. Applicants who do not meet the residency requirement will not be able to take up post at this prison. (please refer to CTC section below)
Travel to Work
Some prison establishments are situated in rural locations with limited public transport options; therefore, a driving licence and own transport is beneficial but is not an essential requirement of the role (unless specified). Please note that shift start, and finish times are fixed, and it is your responsibility to get to and from your place of work on time for the start of your shift. Please carefully consider the location of this vacancy and your transport options before applying.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules.
From 4 April 2024, the Government increased the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas. The change means that HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot guarantee sponsorship for those seeking sponsorship via the Skilled Worker visa route.
If you are applying to be a prison officer and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes.
HMPPS will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service.
Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.
Essential skills
You don’t need qualifications to become a prison officer. Personal qualities are more important. You need to show:
- Communication and influencing skills
- Commitment to quality
- Effective decision-making
- Care and understanding
Pay
The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week. Your annual salary will reflect your weekly hours.
37 hours a week = £35,948 a year
39 hours a week = £37,994 a year
41 hours a week = £40,041 a year
All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances that are applicable to the role/location.
Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means you will have to cover various shift patterns that will include evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays (these days are added to your holiday allowance). Most prisons work with a changing shift pattern of 39 hours a week.
You may also have opportunities to work additional paid hours.
Benefits
- 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service)
- Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day
- Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
- Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits
Assessment Process
During the recruitment process you will be assessed on the behaviours, strengths and abilities you need to become an effective prison officer. These include:
Communicating and influencing
Managing a quality service
Making effective decisions
Caring
Your natural strengths are assessed to find out what motivates and energises you. We will also assess your numerical, written English and spoken English abilities.
Online Tests
Once you have completed your initial application form, you will be invited to complete stage 1 of the online test, to see if you have the basic judgement and numerical skills expected of a prison officer.
If you are successful, we will invite you to the stage 2 online test (task-based assessment) to see if you have the natural behaviours and qualities needed to be an effective prison officer.
The online assessment centre (OAC)
On successful completion of the online tests, we will invite you to an online assessment centre w we test to see if you have the abilities, behaviours and strengths to be a prison officer.
High security prisons requiring CTC vetting
If your application is successful, you will need to undergo and clear pre-employment checks. This will include His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service Enhanced Level 2 vetting, and due to the security status of the establishment Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC vetting) is also required. Proof that you have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years is needed to complete the CTC vetting process. The residency requirements refer to the period immediately before an application is made, and not any other three-year period, or any other accumulation of time spent in the UK.
If you have been out of the country for a significant period of time (usually up to one year) and maintained your UK residency you may still be considered for vetting clearance. For example:
- Spent a significant period of time overseas without returning to the UK, but intend to return in the future
- Taken a gap year before or following university
- Travelled for a year
- Spent time overseas visiting family
This is not an exhaustive list.
Candidates must be able to provide correct and up to date documentation when requested during the application process.
Job offers: merit vacancy
This is a merit job vacancy. If you are successful at the online assessment centre, you will be added to a merit list based on your score.
When all applicants have completed the assessment centre, the prison will make job offers to individuals with the highest scores first when positions become available.
You can stay on the merit list for 12 months. After this, you’ll need to apply again.
If your application is unsuccessful at the sift/assessment stage, a six month waiting period will be applied during which time you will not be allowed to submit any further applications for prison officer positions.
Operational Support Grade Role
Our Online Assessment Centre (OAC), will not only assess you against the key criteria to become a prison officer but will also determine your suitability for appointment as an operational support grade OSG. If following attendance at your OAC, you are unsuccessful in your application to become a prison officer, we may instead offer you an alternative role as an OSG.
Medical and Fitness
Once we identify a vacancy for you, we will invite you to complete a medical and fitness test. This will cover an eyesight test, hearing test and basic health screening, including a blood pressure check.
Closing Date – 20th February 2025
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
Application Process
To apply for this role, please visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Application Deadline
3 March, 2025