Prison Officer - HMP Eastwood Park

Prison Officer - HMP Eastwood Park

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

Location: Bristol, South West

Salary: £35,875 (39 hour week inc 20% unsocial)

Job ID: 16877

Type: Pass - Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility and in accordance with the UK Immigration Rules in force at the time of application.

Job Overview

All staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The post holder must undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

Prison officers protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners' lives. We are working in a women's prison so many challenges differ from a male prison; many inmates have experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse and may lack trust in staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Protect the public and maintain safety within the prison environment.
• Build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners.
• Work various shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays, within a 39 hour week.
• Support colleagues, acting as one team to keep the prison and everyone safe.
• Perform various roles throughout the day - from peacekeeper to counsellor or teacher.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older at the start of employment.
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements (see below).
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment.
• Meet required eyesight standard in both eyes (with and without corrective lenses).
• Meet suitable hearing standard without hearing aids.
• Tattoos must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious or medical reasons.
• For a category A prison, you must have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years.

Travel to Work

A driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not an essential requirement, unless specified. Shift start and finish times are fixed; you must be able to reach work on time.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationality of the Republic of Ireland
• Commonwealth citizens with the right to work in the UK
• EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein nationals and family members with settled or pre settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals with accrued rights to work in the Civil Service

Essential Skills

You don't need qualifications to become a prison officer. Personal qualities are more important: empathy, self confidence, great communication skills, resilience, teamwork, and the ability to support colleagues.

Pay

The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you may choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week; your salary will reflect the hours chosen.

Benefits

• Pay includes applicable allowances.
• Prisons operate 24/7, so opportunities for additional paid hours are available.
• Shifts include evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays, which are added to your holiday allowance.

Application Process

Assessment includes online tests (numerical, written and spoken English), a values based test, an online assessment centre, and medical and fitness tests (eyesight, hearing, basic health screening).

Successful candidates receive a job offer immediately if a vacancy exists or are placed on a reserve list.

Legal / EEO Statement

A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former members of the Armed Forces. The department respects equality and offers reasonable adjustment support where needed.

Closing Date

10th June 2026