Prison Officers

Is it in you to be a prison officer?

Prison Officers
HM Prison Woodhill (High Security), Milton Keynes
£26,669 – £29,284+ premium of £4k in years 1 & 2 + relocation package + excellent benefits

Working with young offenders isn’t for everyone. But if you have what it takes to support young people’s rehabilitation, it could be a rewarding career. Expect great training, excellent benefits, the chance to make rapid progress, and much more.

HMYOI Cookham Wood is a Young Offender Institution and male juveniles’ prison, located in Borstal (near Rochester), Kent. The prison, which holds male offenders aged 15 to 18, focuses on providing education and vocational training to inmates with the aim to reduce reoffending. The prison also operates a resettlement programme for inmates coming to the end of their sentences, and has links to community groups and employers. An on-site gym and free parking is available to staff.

Do you have what it takes?

Firstly, you’ll need great communication skills. You’ll have to deal with all kinds of situations and your ability to listen well and make yourself clearly understood will be vital. Empathy, integrity, and emotional intelligence are also a must, along with plenty of discipline and resilience. Together, these qualities will allow you to gain the respect of offenders and help them identify and pursue opportunities to make positive change.

Everything you do to help develop the young people here needs to be rooted in the belief that, with the right structures in place, change is possible. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be hurdles. At times, the barriers you’ll face will be huge, and the gratitude is sometimes minimal. But with a clear vision of what we’re trying to achieve and the commitment to see it through, you’ll be well placed to help young people change their lives.

If you have everything it takes, you can expect a lot in return. As well as a comprehensive training programme, you’ll have the chance to gain professional qualifications and make real progress in your career. You’ll also receive valuable public sector benefits, including 25 days’ annual leave and a civil service pension scheme.

How to apply

If you’re interested, please spend time learning more about the role and our assessment process before you apply. You’ll find all you need on our website and on our Facebook page. Search ‘NOMS Careers’