Prison Officer - HMP Highpoint

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working

23-Jul-2026

AO

Job ID 19401

Descriptions & requirements

Prison officer - HMP Highpoint

HMP Highpoint
Address HMP Highpoint, Stradishall, Newmarket CB8 9YG

Starting salary: £38,816 (for a 39 hour week inc 20% unsocial)

City/Town: Cambridge/Bury St Edmunds

Region: East of England

Vacancy type: Merit

Sponsorship is not guaranteed, applicants must have right to work in UK. Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility and UK Immigration Rules. Applicants requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored.

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.

Someone like you

Our officers come from diverse backgrounds. Whether you're a parent, a teacher, have worked in retail, the armed forces, or you're a natural people person, you'll bring empathy, self confidence, great communication skills and resilience.

You'll build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners at challenging times. Teamwork is vital; you'll work as part of a team to keep the prison and everyone safe. Shifts vary, including weekends.

An extraordinary job

In this career, you'll carry out many roles: peacekeeper, counsellor, teacher, etc. You'll work directly with prisoners, protecting the public and making a positive impact.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of application
• Meet required eyesight standard in both eyes
• Meet hearing standard without hearing aids
• Tattoos must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating. Facial tattoos not acceptable unless for cultural, religious or medical reasons.
• For a high security (category A) prison, have been a UK resident for the last 3 years.

Travel to Work

Some establishments are in rural locations with limited public transport. A driving licence and own transport is beneficial but not essential unless stated.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to:

• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have right to work in UK
• Nationals of EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with valid settled or pre settled status under the 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 with accrued right to work in Civil Service

Successful applicants must maintain legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and UK.

Essential skills

• Communication and influencing skills
• Commitment to quality
• Care and understanding

Pay

The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you may work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week. Annual salary reflects weekly hours.

• 37 hours a week = £36,928 a year
• 39 hours a week = £38,816 a year
• 41 hours a week = £41,334 a year

All salary figures quoted include additional allowances where applicable.

Benefits

Prisons operate 24/7; shifts include evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays (added to holiday allowance). Most prisons work a 39 hour changing shift pattern.

• 25 days' annual holiday, rising to 30 days after 10 years' service
• Paid time off for public holidays and one extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits

Assessment & Selection

Applicants will be assessed on behaviours, strengths and abilities needed to become an effective prison officer: communicating/influencing, managing a quality service, caring. Numerical, written English and spoken English abilities are also assessed.

Online Tests

Applicants complete stage 1 to assess basic judgement and numerical skills, followed by stage 2 values based assessment. Successful completion leads to an online assessment centre where abilities and strengths are tested.

Medical and Fitness

After a vacancy is identified, applicants attend a UK based medical and fitness test covering eyesight, hearing and basic health screening.

Closing date

23rd July 2026

EEO Statement

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. As a Disability Confident employer, we commit to ensuring everyone can demonstrate their skills, talents and abilities. We offer reasonable adjustment support to candidates when needed.