Prison Custody Officer

Prison Custody Officer (PCO) - HMP Altcourse - HMP Altcourse. Please note: This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route in line with current UK immigration rules. SECURE THE PRESENT, SHAPE THE FUTURE - Transform Lives as a Prison Custody Officer If you're pursuing a career with meaning, we welcome you to apply for the position of Prison Custody Officer at HMP Altcourse. As a Prison Custody Officer, you'll play a crucial role in maintaining safety, security, and order within our prison facilities. This is more than just a job–it's a meaningful opportunity to support rehabilitation, ensure justice, and contribute to the wider community. What You’ll Do Maintaining a secure and disciplined prison environment Supervising daily routines, prisoner movements, and scheduled activities Escorting prisoners securely within and outside the facility Responding calmly and professionally to challenging or high‑pressure situations Supporting rehabilitation initiatives and encouraging positive behaviours Building respectful, professional relationships with prisoners to promote a safer, more supportive atmosphere You don't need prior experience in the role of a prison officer to apply. You'll receive a comprehensive 8‑week training programme, delivered locally, to fully prepare you for the role. This includes: Classroom and practical learning Conflict resolution and communication training Shadowing experienced officers Continued development and support throughout your career To move forward with your application, we'll need to complete a pre‑screening process within a few days of your submission. You'll receive an email with instructions on how to do this – please be sure to check your junk or spam folder in case it lands there. You will then be invited to participate in an assessment centre. All offers are subject to full security clearance checks. Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position. For further guidance on visa eligibility and sponsorship criteria, please refer to the official UK Government website: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. There’s no such thing as a typical prison officer. Our team is made up of people from all walks of life – whether you’re a parent, former teacher, retail worker, member of the armed forces, or simply someone who thrives on helping others. Whatever your background, if you’re a natural people person with strong communication skills, self‑confidence, empathy, and resilience, we want to hear from you. You’ll be working with individuals who may be at the lowest point in their lives. No matter the challenge, you’ll be expected to build constructive, positive, and professional relationships based on fairness, consistency, and respect. Teamwork Matters Teamwork plays a vital role in this environment. You’ll need to be fully committed to supporting your colleagues and understand the importance of acting as one team to keep the prison safe – for staff, visitors, and prisoners alike. Behaviours That Make a Great Officer – To thrive in this role, you’ll need to demonstrate: Calm Under Pressure – Manage high‑stress or unpredictable situations with a level head Empathy & Respect – Treat everyone with dignity, regardless of their circumstances Strong Ethics – Maintain fairness, professionalism, and integrity at all times Resilience & Adaptability – Stay composed and effective, even when the job gets tough Effective Communication – Listen actively and speak clearly and confidently Conflict Resolution – Use de‑escalation techniques to manage tension and disputes Teamwork – Collaborate closely with colleagues for the safety and success of all Vigilance – Remain observant, alert, and responsive to potential risks Physical & Vision Requirements Be at least 18 years of age at the time your employment begins Be capable of undertaking the physically activities of a prison officer's daily responsibilities Meet the required eyesight standards in both eyes, with or without corrective lenses Have an adequate level of hearing without the use of hearing aids, for safety reasons during training and operational duties We're all about building a workplace for the future. We believe in equal opportunities and celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and everyone can be the best versions of themselves. Benefits Starting salary 29,93.28 with annual increases over initial 5 years' service Free meals (if applicable) and parking Access to our on‑site gym and subsidised gym membership Opportunity to earn overtime (subject to availability) Comprehensive paid training and progression opportunities Life assurance BUPA healthcare Pension schemes and much more Please see the benefits guide attached which outlines all of Sodexo's excellent benefits #J-18808-Ljbffr