Guide
Become a prison officer (UK)
A practical overview of the role, training, shifts and interviews — plus how to think about pay and overtime.
The job
Safety + professionalism + communication. “Tough” isn’t the skill — calm is.
Training
Structured classroom + practical learning: procedures, incidents, teamwork.
Shifts
Varies by establishment. Nights/weekends/holidays — check local policy.
What the job actually is
Prison officers manage safety and security, but a big part of the job is communication: de-escalation, boundaries, consistency and teamwork.
The “win” is a calm wing: clear expectations, fair decisions, and professional consistency.
Training
Expect a structured training period (classroom + practical). You’ll learn safety procedures, legal basics, incident handling and how to work as part of a team.
- Core procedures & boundaries
- Incident response & reporting
- Professional communication
Shifts
Shifts vary by establishment. Nights, weekends and bank holidays can come with different arrangements, so always check local policy. If you’re planning income, focus on what you can rely on monthly — then treat overtime as “bonus”, not guaranteed.
Fitness
Don’t overthink it. Build consistent basics: brisk walking, short runs, strength for legs/back/core, and mobility. Consistency beats intensity.
2–3x / week
Brisk walk / easy run
2x / week
Strength (legs/back/core)
Interview tips
- Use real examples: conflict handling, teamwork, integrity, resilience.
- Talk about communication and professionalism, not “toughness”.
- Show awareness: safety, equality, and following procedures matters.
A strong answer usually shows: what you did, why you did it, how you stayed professional, and what changed after.