What a prison custody officer is, in law
In shortThe PCO role has its own statutory shape under the Criminal Justice Act 1991; it is not simply a private-sector prison officer on a different payroll.
The term comes from the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Section 89 defines a prisoner custody officer as a person who holds a certificate from the Secretary of State approving them to perform escort functions, custodial duties or both.
Schedule 10 sets the certification rules: the person must be fit and proper and must have received appropriate training, and certificates can be suspended or revoked if concerns about fitness are referred by a governor, a controller or a prisoner escort monitor.
In a contracted-out prison, section 85 says the custodial officers are authorised prisoner custody officers or prison officers temporarily attached to the site. If the director loses effective control, section 88 lets the Secretary of State appoint a Crown servant as governor to take over.
- Director
- Runs the contracted prison; must be a certified PCO approved by the Secretary of State.
- Controller
- A Crown servant appointed by the Secretary of State who reviews operations and investigates allegations against custodial staff.
Which prisons are private, and who runs them
In shortHMPPS lists 15 contracted establishments in England and Wales; confirm the current operator because older lists are out of date.
The current operator of each prison is shown below, confirmed from the latest inspection report or contract announcement where the GOV.UK establishment page is out of date (several date from 2022). Confirm the current operator before relying on it.
Older lists that still show Birmingham or Lowdham Grange as private are out of date: Birmingham returned to the public sector in July 2019 and Lowdham Grange on 1 August 2024.
See our guide to private prisons in the UK for the wider picture.
- Scotland: the Scottish Prison Service says it runs 16 publicly managed prisons and one under a private sector contract, Addiewell. Kilmarnock moved from Serco to SPS on 17 March 2024.
- Northern Ireland has no private prisons.
| Prison | Operator named | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Altcourse | Sodexo | Took over from G4S on 1 June 2023; GOV.UK page (2022) still names G4S |
| Ashfield | Serco | HMIP report of 20 July 2026 also names Serco |
| Bronzefield (women) | Sodexo | Page dated 2022 |
| Doncaster | Serco | Page dated 2022 |
| Dovegate | Serco | Page dated 2022 |
| Five Wells | G4S | HMIP August 2026 refers to G4S |
| Forest Bank | Sodexo | New 10-year contract (Sodexo announcement, 2 May 2025) |
| Fosse Way | Serco | Page July 2023 |
| Millsike | Mitie | Page April 2025 |
| Northumberland | Sodexo | Page dated 2022 |
| Oakwood | G4S | Page dated 2022 |
| Parc (including Parc YOI) | G4S | HMIP June 2026 refers to G4S |
| Peterborough (male and female) | Sodexo | HMIP 2024 refers to Sodexo |
| Rye Hill | G4S | Page dated 2022 |
| Thameside | Serco | Page dated 2022 |
Source: GOV.UK establishment pages, HMIP reports, Sodexo announcements and HMPPS performance ratings, as compiled 3 October 2026. Confirm the current operator with the prison.
Powers: how a PCO differs from a public-sector prison officer
In shortA PCO does not hold the constable's powers a public-sector officer has, but has search and force powers granted directly by the 1991 Act.
Under section 8 of the Prison Act 1952, every prison officer, while acting as such, has all the powers, authority, protection and privileges of a constable.
In a contracted-out prison, section 87 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 modifies the 1952 Act, and the provision says section 8 does not apply there, except to officers temporarily attached from the public sector. A PCO therefore does not hold the constable's powers that a public-sector officer does while acting as a prison officer.
Our powers guide covers the public-sector side.
- Section 86: the HMPPS Searching Policy Framework (re-issued 31 March 2026) says it extends search powers to PCOs at private prisons, who may search, in accordance with prison rules, any prisoner and any person who is in or seeking entry to the prison.
- Section 82: gives escort PCOs similar powers and allows reasonable force where necessary.
- The framework lists PCOs among the staff governors should authorise to carry out the rub-down searches under section 8A of the Prison Act 1952.
Protection also differs
Section 90 of the 1991 Act makes it an offence to assault a prisoner custody officer on escort duty or at a contracted-out prison, with a fine or imprisonment of up to six months on summary conviction for assault, provided the officer is readily identifiable by uniform, badge or otherwise.
The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 lists prison officers and, separately, prisoner custody officers 'so far as relating to the exercise of escort functions'. Section 90 notes a pending amendment from 2013 legislation as of October 2026; do not rely on this summary for a legal question.
Which HMPPS rules apply inside private prisons
In shortThe Prison Rules 1999 and many policy frameworks apply, but not every framework covers contracted prisons.
The Prison Rules 1999 apply, and so do many HMPPS policy frameworks. If you work in a contracted prison, camera use is governed by your contract and your operator's own policy. The use of force framework also requires use of force statements within 72 hours; operators will have their own versions of the same discipline.
Framework coverage of contracted prisons
Applies to contracted prisons
- Use of Force Policy Framework (re-issued 11 September 2025): defines 'prison officer' as including prison officers and prisoner custody officers employed in public prisons, privately managed prisons and by prison escort and custody services, and lists contracted prisons among those that must act on it
- Searching Policy Framework: applies to all public and contracted prisons and YOIs
Does not tick contracted prisons
- Body Worn Video Cameras Policy Framework (issued 20 September 2022): marks HMPPS HQ, governors, public sector prisons and under-18 YOIs as required to act on it, and leaves contracted prisons unticked
Recruitment, vetting and training: what adverts say
In shortOperators recruit through their own career sites; training length varies and should be confirmed in writing.
Private prisons recruit through their operators' own career sites, not through the HMPPS jobs portal, and the standards are set by the contract and vetting rules.
Training length varies. The adverts we have seen quote different figures, shown below. These are examples of advert wording, mostly from snippets that are not dated, and are not a national standard; ask for the training plan in writing before you accept.
- The PCO adverts we read for escort roles require MoJ Enhanced Level 2 checks with an enhanced DBS. See prison officer vetting for the public-sector version.
- The HMPPS vetting policy requires Enhanced Check Level 2 as the minimum for directly employed staff, with the Counter-Terrorist Check on top for high-security sites.
| Operator or service | Role | Training quoted | How verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodexo, HMP Bronzefield, Forest Bank, Northumberland | Prison Custody Officer | 8 weeks delivered locally | Advert wording seen in search results; undated |
| Serco, Doncaster, Thameside, Ashfield | Prison Officer (Serco title) | 10-week training course | Advert wording seen in search results; undated |
| Serco PECS (escort, not a prison) | Prisoner Custody Officer | 5.5 weeks paid | Serco careers page opened 3 October 2026 |
| GEOAmey PECS (escort, not a prison) | Prisoner Custody Officer | About 5 weeks plus 1 week shadowing | GEOAmey page opened 3 October 2026 |
| HMPPS public prison officer | Prison Officer | About 9 to 10 weeks (10-day induction plus 7-week foundation) | HMPPS careers site, 3 October 2026 |
Adverts change often. Treat as illustrations of range, not guarantees.
Pay, pension and leave compared with a public-sector officer
In shortPrivate operators set their own pay, pension and leave; we do not publish a prison-wing number because we have not verified one.
- Serco escort advert (27 Sept 2026)£29,20540-hour week; 20 days' leave rising to 25 after 7 years. An escort role, not a prison wing role, so do not read it across
Private operators are not on the HMPPS Fair and Sustainable structure and are not part of the Civil Service pension.
The PSPRB 25th Report, which reviews pay for HMPPS staff, said Band 3 pay including unsocial hours and the 2 additional contracted hours was above the range for the sampled private-sector prison roles. HMPPS workforce statistics also exclude private-sector prison staff.
We have not verified current prison-wing pay at each operator from live adverts in this guide, so we do not publish a number. Our guide on private custody officer versus prison officer pay sets this out, and the job offer comparator does the maths.
The public-sector Band 3 pay structure for 2026/27 is on our pay bands page, including inner and outer London zones and the named market supplements.
Compare using full details in your own offer
- Base salary, hours and shift pattern
- Any unsocial hours supplement
- Annual leave
- Pension contribution and employer contribution
- Sick pay and progression
Contract changes: prisons move between operators and the public sector
In shortThe private estate is not fixed, so read a job offer as a snapshot.
The company that employs you can change at a contract re-tender, and a prison can return to the public sector. We have not found a published statement of what happens to individual PCOs' terms in each case, so we do not state one.
If your prison is mentioned in the news as a candidate for re-tender or takeover, ask your HR team and your union what protections apply.
Our HMPPS structure guide explains where contracted prisons sit in the wider service. Private-sector staff are also not counted in the HMPPS workforce statistics, so headline numbers such as the 22,001 FTE Band 3 to 5 officers in post at 30 June 2026 do not include them.
If you are comparing staffing at two prisons, check which one is contracted before you compare.
Changes of operator or sector
- July 2019Birmingham
Returned to the public sector.
- March 2022Five Wells opens
G4S per GOV.UK.
- May 2023Fosse Way opens
Serco.
- 17 March 2024Kilmarnock (Scotland)
Moved from Serco to the Scottish Prison Service.
- 1 August 2024Lowdham Grange
Run by Serco and then briefly by Sodexo; moved to public control.
- April 2025Millsike opens
Mitie.
A checklist before you accept a PCO offer
In shortTreat the offer letter and contract as the only reliable source, and ask in writing about anything the advert does not cover.
Because the details differ by operator, a written checklist helps.
Ask before you accept
- Operator and contract: confirm who employs you and how long the prison contract runs. Contracts change hands and prisons return to the public sector.
- Training: how many weeks, whether it is paid at the full rate, where it takes place and what happens if you do not pass.
- Certification: you will need a PCO certificate. Ask when it is applied for and what the fitness and vetting requirements are.
- Shift pattern and hours: weekly hours, night work, weekend work and how an unsocial hours supplement is paid.
- Pension and leave: employer contribution, scheme type and annual leave entitlement, including how it grows with service.
- Progression: any portfolio or apprenticeship route, and what pay rise it triggers.
- Visa position: if you need sponsorship, check the temporary exemption period; HMPPS said the exemption for prison custody officers in private prisons runs to 31 December 2026.
- Moving later: there is no published automatic route from a PCO job to an HMPPS Band 3 officer job, so you would apply as normal. See how to become a prison officer.
Frequently asked questions
Is a prison custody officer the same as a prison officer?
No. A prison officer in a public prison is employed by HMPPS and, while acting as such, has the powers of a constable under section 8 of the Prison Act 1952.
A prison custody officer works for a contractor in a private prison and holds a certificate under the Criminal Justice Act 1991, with search and force powers set out in that Act.
How many private prisons are there in the UK?
In England and Wales HMPPS counts 15 contracted-out establishments, including Millsike. Scotland has one privately operated prison, Addiewell. Northern Ireland has none. Birmingham and Lowdham Grange have returned to the public sector, so older lists are out of date.
Do PCOs get the Civil Service pension?
Not as private-sector employees. Pensions are set by the operator. The Civil Service pension applies to civil servants including HMPPS prison officers. Check each operator's scheme, employer contribution and leave rules in the offer.
Can a private prison custody officer use force?
Yes, within the law. Section 82 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 allows prisoner custody officers to use reasonable force where necessary, and the HMPPS Use of Force Policy Framework applies to contracted prisons. Force must be necessary, reasonable and proportionate, with reports completed within 72 hours.
Does a PCO need security vetting?
Yes. HMPPS vetting policy requires at least Enhanced Check Level 2 for directly employed staff, and operator adverts for custody roles say they require MoJ Enhanced Level 2 checks and an enhanced DBS check. High-security sites need further checks. Non-disclosure of offences can lead to refusal.
Do private prison officers get the same training as HMPPS officers?
Training is set by each operator and contract and is not identical. The adverts we saw quoted figures from about 5.5 weeks for escort roles to 8 or 10 weeks for prison roles, against about nine to ten weeks for an HMPPS officer. Ask for the plan in writing.
Where can I compare private prison pay with HMPPS pay?
Use our prison officer pay bands page for public-sector figures, the private versus public pay guide for the comparison method and the job offer comparator to calculate from your own offer.
Sources
- legislation.gov.uklegislation.gov.uk, Criminal Justice Act 1991, sections 80 to 90 and Schedule 10
- legislation.gov.uklegislation.gov.uk, Prison Act 1952, section 8
- gov.ukHMPPS, Searching Policy Framework (re-issued 31 March 2026)
- gov.ukHMPPS, Use of Force Policy Framework (re-issued 11 September 2025)
- gov.ukHMPPS, Body Worn Video Cameras Policy Framework (20 September 2022)
- gov.ukGOV.UK, Prisons in England and Wales (establishment pages)
- sps.gov.ukScottish Prison Service, our prisons
- assets.publishing.service.gov.ukPSPRB, 25th Report 2026
- careers.serco.comSerco careers, Prisoner Escort and Custody Services
- assets.publishing.service.gov.ukHMPPS, Security vetting policy (PSI 07/2014, revised 20 February 2025)