Prison Officer Jobs by Region: Where to Apply in 2026

In shortAdverts name a specific prison, so there is no regional job pool, and one application's assessment scores are reused for any others.

• Application to first day6 to 7 monthsAverage given on the HMPPS jobs site
• Placements stay valid12 monthsPass and merit lists

In England and Wales, prison officers are recruited through HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) on the official jobs site, prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk. The site tells you to search current vacancies or register interest if none are listed.

Adverts name a specific prison, so there is no single regional job pool: the region matters mainly as a way to group prisons you could realistically commute to.

The same page says you can apply to several prisons at once. Your first application is your main one, and its assessment scores are automatically used for any others, so you do not repeat the process.

1. Online application.
2. Scenario-based test.
3. Values-based assessment.
4. Online assessment centre.
5. Pre-employment checks, a medical and a fitness test.

In shortSome prisons have a dedicated HMPPS page describing life at the site, but they do not replace the vacancy search, and a missing page says nothing about whether a site is recruiting.

HMPPS runs a page called working in some of our prisons which lists more than 40 establishments grouped by region, each linking to a dedicated page with officer and youth justice worker stories. In our dataset 40 England and Wales prisons have such a page, and the tables below link to it where it exists.

Those pages describe life at the site; they do not replace the vacancy search, and all direct applicants still use the general job portal.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland the pages are different again: SPS and NIPS run their own careers sites, covered in the sections near the end of this guide.

In shortAcross all establishments there were 21,727 Band 3-5 officer FTE against a target of 23,550, 1,823 below at 30 June 2026, and that is staffing against target, not vacancies.

• FTE in post21,727All establishments, 30 June 2026, hours-adjusted
• Target23,550
• Below target1,823
• Leaving rate8.9%Band 3-5 officers, 12 months to 30 June 2026

The HMPPS workforce statistics for June 2026 include an annex comparing Band 3-5 prison officer FTE with a target for each establishment. Our dataset carries the per-prison figures, and the table below adds them up by geographic region for public-sector prisons.

Elsewhere in the same release, HMPPS reports that about 1,825 Band 3-4 officers joined in that period.

In shortFull Sutton is 108 FTE below target and four of the first five biggest gaps are in the high-security estate, but a shortfall is a hint, not a promise of jobs.

The HMPPS June 2026 annex lists the largest gaps to target among individual prisons. Four of the first five are in the long-term and high-security estate, where targets are large.

It is tempting to read this as a list of places that are hiring heavily. That is a reasonable hint but not a promise. A site far below target may still be limited by vetting capacity, training intake or accommodation, and may not be advertising at any given moment.

Equally, a site close to target can still advertise to replace leavers. Treat the table as a prompt to look at the local page and the live vacancy list.

• Full Sutton: 108 FTE below target
• Long Lartin: 99
• Cookham Wood: 96
• Whitemoor: 90
• Swaleside: 69
• Woodhill: 64
• Wayland: 62
• Wetherby: 51
• Berwyn: 50

In short15 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset152 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements0None listed on the HMPPS pay page
• Officer FTE against target−124-4.7% of target (30 June 2026)

The North West has a mix of Reception, Category B, Category C and open prisons, plus women's custody at Styal. The dataset holds 15 establishments in North West, of which 2 are privately operated (HMP Altcourse, HMP Forest Bank). See the full North West prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 2 Category C Trainer
• 2 Category B
• 3 Open
• 1 Category C Trainer/Resettlement
• 2 Category C Resettlement
• 2 Reception
• 1 Female

In short7 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset71 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements0None listed on the HMPPS pay page
• Officer FTE against target−94-5.8% of target (30 June 2026)

The North East is a smaller region with one high-security prison at Frankland alongside Reception, Category C, open and women's establishments. The dataset holds 7 establishments in North East, of which 1 is privately operated (HMP Northumberland). See the full North East prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 1 Category C Trainer
• 2 Reception
• 1 High Security
• 1 Open
• 1 Female

In short14 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset142 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements0None listed on the HMPPS pay page
• Officer FTE against target−310-10.4% of target (30 June 2026)

Yorkshire and the Humber has two high-security prisons (Full Sutton and Wakefield) alongside Category C, Reception, open and women's prisons and a young offender institution at Wetherby.

The dataset holds 14 establishments in Yorkshire and the Humber, of which 2 are privately operated (HMP & YOI Doncaster, HMP Millsike). See the full Yorkshire and the Humber prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 2 Female
• 2 High Security
• 1 Open
• 2 Reception
• 3 Category C Trainer/Resettlement
• 1 Category C Trainer
• 1 unclassified

In short14 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset143 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements0None listed on the HMPPS pay page
• Officer FTE against target−273-11.3% of target (30 June 2026)

The West Midlands includes Long Lartin (high security), several Category C prisons, women's custody at Drake Hall and young offender establishments at Brinsford, Swinfen Hall and Werrington.

The dataset holds 14 establishments in West Midlands, of which 3 are privately operated (HMP Dovegate, HMP Oakwood, HMP Rye Hill). See the full West Midlands prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 2 Reception
• 1 Category C Resettlement
• 1 Female
• 3 Category C Trainer/Resettlement
• 1 High Security
• 2 Category C Trainer
• 1 unclassified

In short14 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset142 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements1Non-pensionable; can be withdrawn
• Officer FTE against target−130-5.5% of target (30 June 2026)

The East Midlands covers Category B, Category C, foreign national, open and women's prisons, with Fosse Way and Five Wells run by private operators. The dataset holds 14 establishments in East Midlands, of which 2 are privately operated (HMP Five Wells, HMP Fosse Way). See the full East Midlands prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 1 Female
• 2 Category B
• 3 Reception
• 1 Category C Foreign National
• 2 Open
• 1 Category C Trainer/Resettlement
• 2 Category C Trainer

In short12 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset121 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements3Non-pensionable; can be withdrawn
• Officer FTE against target−231-9.6% of target (30 June 2026)

The East of England includes the high-security prison Whitemoor, open conditions at Hollesley Bay and a run of Category C and Reception prisons. The dataset holds 12 establishments in East of England, of which 1 is privately operated (HMP & YOI Peterborough). See the full East of England prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 3 Reception
• 2 Category C Trainer
• 4 Category C Trainer/Resettlement
• 1 Open
• 1 High Security

In short20 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset201 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements12Non-pensionable; can be withdrawn
• Officer FTE against target−432-12.5% of target (30 June 2026)

The South East has the densest cluster of market supplements in the estate, covering sites such as Aylesbury, Bullingdon, Elmley, Swaleside and Woodhill. The dataset holds 20 establishments in South East, of which 1 is privately operated (HMP & YOI Bronzefield). See the full South East prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 1 Category C Trainer
• 4 Reception
• 3 Category C Trainer/Resettlement
• 2 Female
• 3 Open
• 4 Category B
• 2 Category C Foreign National

In short10 establishments, a mix of pay zones, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset101 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928 to £40,876Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements3Non-pensionable; can be withdrawn
• Officer FTE against target−131-4.7% of target (30 June 2026)

London is the only region with inner and outer London pay zones. The dataset holds 10 establishments in London, of which 1 is privately operated (HMP Thameside). See the full London prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 4 Reception
• 1 Category C Resettlement
• 1 Female
• 3 Category C Trainer/Resettlement

In short11 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset111 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements0None listed on the HMPPS pay page
• Officer FTE against target−110-7.3% of target (30 June 2026)

The South West has Reception, Category C, open and women's prisons, with Ashfield run by a private operator. The dataset holds 11 establishments in South West, of which 1 is privately operated (HMP Ashfield). See the full South West prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 2 Reception
• 4 Category C Trainer/Resettlement
• 1 unclassified
• 1 Female
• 1 Open
• 1 Category C Trainer

In short6 establishments, all public-sector prisons on the national pay zone, and officer staffing below target at 30 June 2026.

• Establishments in dataset61 privately operated
• Band 3 start, 37 hours£34,928Including 20% unsocial hours allowance, 2026/27
• Market supplements0None listed on the HMPPS pay page
• Officer FTE against target−58-5.2% of target (30 June 2026)

Wales has six establishments, including Berwyn, one of the largest prisons in the estate, and the private prison Parc. The dataset holds 6 establishments in Wales, of which 1 is privately operated (HMP & YOI Parc). See the full Wales prison hub for each establishment's page.

By HMPPS function the public-sector prisons break down as:

• 1 Category C Trainer/Resettlement
• 2 Reception
• 1 Open
• 1 Category C Trainer

In shortSPS pay is separate from the HMPPS system, so none of the England and Wales zones or supplements apply, and we have no staffing-against-target data for Scottish prisons.

• Establishments in dataset17Including privately operated HMP Addiewell and two Community Custody Units
• Residential Officer start£37,682From 1 April 2026
• Within three years£44,248Subject to progression
• Annual leave42 daysAfter five years' service, per SPS rewards pages

Scotland has its own prison service, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), with 17 establishments in our dataset, including the privately operated HMP Addiewell and two Community Custody Units (the Bella Centre in Dundee and the Lilias Centre in Glasgow). HMP Kilmarnock transferred from Serco to SPS in March 2024.

SPS pay is separate from the HMPPS pay review body system, so none of the England and Wales zones or supplements in this guide apply. Check the current SPS vacancy page for the exact role titles and closing dates, as SPS recruits in campaigns.

SPS does not appear in the HMPPS officer staffing annex, so we have no staffing-against-target data for Scottish prisons. See our Scotland pay guide for the full comparison.

In shortNorthern Ireland has three NIPS establishments and its own merit-based campaigns, and the 2026/27 pay outcome had not been found.

• Custody Prison Officer salary (July 2026 advert)£32,510 to £42,725Marked "under review" by the Department
• Supplementary risk allowance£4,284Per year

Northern Ireland has three establishments run by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS): HMP Maghaberry, HMP Magilligan, Hydebank Wood College and Women's Prison.

• Maghaberry holds adult men in high-security conditions.
• Magilligan is a medium to low security prison.
• Hydebank Wood holds young people and women.

In shortMarket supplements of £1,500 to £3,500 are non-pensionable extras at named prisons, and they may be withdrawn, so do not treat them as permanent.

• Supplement tiers£1,500 to £3,500A year, paid in 12 monthly instalments
• Pensionable?No
• Status retainedUntil at least March 2027

Market supplements are extra payments for Band 3 officers on Fair and Sustainable terms at named prisons with recruitment and retention difficulties. HMPPS says they are non-pensionable, paid in 12 monthly instalments, and that the status is retained "until at least March 2027".

The pay page also says a supplement may be withdrawn from a site if HMPPS considers it no longer necessary.

The 2026 list is below. No other prison is listed on that page. Our market supplements guide tracks changes.

• £1,500 at Grendon and Spring Hill, Huntercombe and Standford Hill
• £2,000 at Bedford, Coldingley, Highpoint, Send, Stocken, The Mount, Winchester and, in outer London, Downview, Feltham and High Down
• £3,000 at Aylesbury
• £3,500 at Bullingdon, Elmley, Swaleside and Woodhill

In shortFifteen private prisons employ their own staff outside the HMPPS and PSPRB systems, so we show "Set by operator" rather than guess officer pay.

• Contracted-out establishments15England and Wales

Fifteen establishments in England and Wales are contracted out to private operators; the dataset shows those listed below. Staff there are employed by the operator, not HMPPS, so they are outside the HMPPS workforce statistics and the PSPRB pay structure used elsewhere in this guide.

• Altcourse, Ashfield, Bronzefield
• Doncaster, Dovegate, Five Wells
• Forest Bank, Fosse Way, Millsike
• Northumberland, Oakwood, Parc
• Peterborough, Rye Hill and Thameside

In shortBecause one set of assessment scores covers several applications, widening your search costs little, so compare commute, pay zone, supplement, function and requirements first.

Because you can apply to several prisons using one set of assessment scores, the cost of widening your search is low. Where you land will shape your commute, your shift pattern and what kind of prisoners you work with, so it is worth a short, honest comparison before you list preferences.

Use the checklist below, then check each shortlisted prison on its establishment page and compare your net income using the salary calculator.

1. List every prison within a commute you could sustain for early starts and late finishes. Some shifts start around 7am and many prisons are rural, so check transport honestly.
2. Note the pay zone for each: national, outer London or inner London. Look at the pay bands guide for what your contract hours would pay.
3. Check whether the site is on the market supplement list and remember the supplement is non-pensionable and not guaranteed past March 2027.
4. Look at the prison's function (Reception, Category C, Category B, open, high security, women's, young offenders) and think about which environment suits you.
5. Check any extra entry requirement, such as the three-year UK residency and Counter-Terrorism Check for high-security prisons.
6. Look at the latest inspection report and staffing figures on the prison page, but treat a shortfall as context, not as a vacancy.
7. Apply to more than one prison where you can, then compare offers on total package, not the headline salary alone.

In shortRelocation is at your own cost except under specific schemes, so run the housing numbers before moving for a higher-pay zone such as London.

Relocation is at your own cost except under specific First Time and Futures schemes, and HMPPS says rental deposit help is available only after your start date. If you are thinking of moving for a job in a higher-pay zone such as London, run the numbers on housing before you commit.

Once you are in post you can look at moves between establishments. Our transfers guide explains the general idea, but local rules vary and you should check with your own establishment and HR.