Prison Officers

A Prison Officer supervises people being held in correctional facilities, including those awaiting trial, in detention, and inmates who are serving sentences. Maintains order and security within a jail or prison, conducts inspections and searches, enforces regulations, and supervises activities and visits.

About this Career

Average Salary

£30,495

New workers start at around £19,717. Normal pay is £30,495 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £39,293

Annual Openings

41

Job counts include both employed and self-employed persons in London, and do not distinguish between full and part-time jobs

Daily 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.

Skills Employers are looking for

Skills Importance
Reading Comprehension 53%
Active Listening 49%
Critical Thinking 49%
Monitoring 49%
Speaking 48%
Writing 44%
Learning Strategies 44%
Active Learning 42%
Mathematics 32%
Science 3%

Related courses