Prison Officer: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Prison Officer
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Practice Now »What is a Prison Officer?
As a prison officer in the UK, you'll be responsible for supervising and ensuring the security and well-being of prisoners in prisons and detention centers. Your duties would include maintaining order, managing prisoner behavior, and guiding them towards rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to remain calm and composed in high-pressure situations
- Physical fitness and stamina
- Good judgement and decision-making abilities
- Attention to detail and ability to follow procedures
- Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills
- Emotional intelligence and empathy
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations
- Knowledge of security and safety protocols
Qualifications & Education
- No formal academic requirements for entry
- Must pass a pre-entry test
- Must pass a full medical examination
- Basic training provided
- 12 month probationary period with on-the-job training
- Background checks required
- Nationality restrictions may apply
- Lower age limit of 18 years
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a prison officer in the UK, you must have the right to work in the UK, be a minimum age of 18, pass security and identity checks, pass a health screening and fitness test, and complete a 12-month probationary period. If applying for a high-security estate, you must also have been a UK resident for at least 3 years.
The career progression for prison officers in the UK includes opportunities to train and specialize in rehabilitation work, become a supervising officer, custodial manager, head of function, deputy governor, or prisoner governor with experience.
There is no specific qualification that a prison officer receives, but they undergo Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) before starting their job.
Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Prison Officer mock interview, under 10 minutes
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