Prison Officer - HMP Deerbolt

job description

Full-time, Part-time, Part-time/Job Share, Flexible Working. 27-May-2026. Location: Darlington, North East.

Role Summary: Prison officers protect the public and positively impact prisoners' lives through peace keeping, counselling, and teaching. The role demands integrity, communication skills and resilience. You will work a dynamic 39 hour week with varying shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain safety and security within the prison premises.
• Deliver counselling, education and rehabilitation programmes to inmates.
• Build constructive, professional relationships with prisoners at the lowest point of their lives.
• Operate as part of a unified team supporting colleagues and safeguarding the workplace.
• Perform duties across various shifts, including weekend and holiday work.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum age 18 years.
• Meet Civil Service nationality and residency requirements.
• Pass medical and fitness assessment (hearing, eyesight, physical fitness).
• Have UK resident status for the last 3 years to work in a category A prison.
• Do not have disqualifying tattoos or a standard of hearing that requires hearing aids.

Desired Personal Qualities

• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Commitment to quality of service.
• Empathy, resilience and dedication.

Apprenticeship & Pay

The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training you may choose 37, 39 or 41 hours a week.

• 37 hours a week = £33,746 per year
• 39 hours a week = £35,875 per year
• 41 hours a week = £38,003 per year

Benefits: 25 days annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years), paid public holiday time, 1 extra privilege day, Civil Service pension (28.97% employer contribution), cycle to work scheme, travel loans.

Note: All salary figures include any additional allowances for role and location.

Qualifications, assessments and recruitment details are managed by the Civil Service Commission. Applications must be submitted with appropriate right to work in the UK.