How much do prison officers earn? UK salary explained
Prison officers are a vital part of the prison system.
It’s a job that requires prison officers to deal with the most dangerous offenders in our society – but how much do they earn?
What is a prison officer salary in the UK?
According to the HM Prison & Probation Service website, prison officers pay is determined by where they work in England or Wales.
These are the starting salary’s you can expect dependent on the area you live in:
- Inner London. £35,931.
- Outer London. £34,140 to £36,140.
- South and South East. £32,702 to £34,202.
- Other locations. £30,702.
According to the Government website, an experienced prison officer can expect a salary £38,165.
That’s £7,463 more than the lowest starting salary listed above.
Prison officers start on a 37 hour contract until their initial training is complete.
You may also be able to do overtime and earn more.
One of the benefits of working for a prison is the Civil Servant pension scheme, one of the best in the UK.
How can I become a prison officer?
You can become a prison officer completing a Custody and Detention Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
You can also apply directly for the job.
Qualifications aren’t essential for this job but there are certain traits and skills you will need.
You can also take part in the First time prison officer recruitment scheme.
You’ll join one of the UK’s busier prisons which will help you gain experience and make an impact during the early stages of your career.
By choosing a prison that is 75 minutes away from where you live (90 minutes if you live in London) you’ll:
- Get a higher take-home pay than what is available in a standard prison officer recruitment process.
- Start your paid training sooner than you would if you applied via the standard application process.
- Start at the same time as other new prison officers.
You’ll also be able to decide if you want to work in a male or female prison.
You’ll also choose up to three preferences if you choose to work in a male prison or a order of preference for a female prison.
You’ll be allocated to the prison that has the most need for prison officers at a time.
After 23 months, you’ll decide if you want to stay at that prison or move to one closer to your home.
What qualifications do I need to become a prison officer?
If you plan to apply for an apprenticeship you’ll probably need:
- GCSEs grades 9 to 4 or A* to C or equivalent, in English and maths.
You’ll need to look into the individual entry requirements for the college that you’re intending to apply for.
If you apply directly you’ll need to take an online test to check your judgement and number skills.
If you pass this you’ll attend an assessment day where you’ll be tested on:
You’ll also be interviewed and take part in role plays to see if you have the right personal qualities for a prison officer.
You’ll also need to:
- Pass enhanced background checks.
- Be over 18 years of age.
- Pass a medical check.
However, there are skills and traits that prison officers will use in the job.
The skills are:
- Knowledge of public safety and security.
- The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
- To be thorough and pay attention to detail.
- To be flexible and open to change.
- Leadership skills.
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations.
- To be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device.