Prison service officers (below Principal Officer) direct, co-ordinate and participate in guarding inmates and maintaining discipline in prisons and other detention centres.

Entry Reqirements

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Typical 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.

Desired Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Speaking, Writing, Learning Strategies, Active Learning, Mathematics, Science