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HMP Belmarsh

Belmarsh is a high security prisoner’s prison in southeast London. HMPPS places it in the "Reception" functional group. Band 3 prison officer pay here starts at £41,290 on a 39-hour contract (2026/27 rates).

Jobs at Belmarsh (HMPPS)Work out my take-home hereCompare with other prisons

HMP Belmarsh at a glance

  • It sits in the Outer London pay zone, so Band 3 pay is higher than the national rate: £41,290 at 39 hours on the entry pay point against £37,131 nationally.
  • Its operational capacity of 773 ranks 6th of 10 in London (1 = largest).
  • Among the 30 prisons in the HMPPS "Reception" functional group with a published capacity, it ranks 19th by size.
  • Its latest full HMIP inspection (report published 16 September 2024) graded safety "reasonably good" and purposeful activity "poor"; a later HMIP review report followed on 19 May 2025.
  • GOV.UK gives its nearest station as: Woolwich Arsenal and Plumstead.
Type
HMP
Holds
Men
Run by
HMPPS (public sector)
Nation
England
Region (geographic)
London
HMPPS prison region
Long term & High Security SouthWorkforce statistics, June 2026
Town / county
Thamesmead, London, Greater London (Greenwich)
Postcode
SE28 0EB
HMPPS functional group
ReceptionA role label, not each prisoner's security category
Officer pay zone
Outer London
Band 3 market supplement
None listedHMPPS pay page, 3 October 2026
Operational capacity
773As at 24 August 2026
Latest HMIP report published
19 May 2025
Nearest railway station (GOV.UK)
Woolwich Arsenal and Plumstead

Official description (GOV.UK/SPS/NI Justice): “Belmarsh is a high security prisoner’s prison in southeast London.” Official page.

A reception prison with a high-security role

In shortBelmarsh is a reception prison with a high security unit, publicly run, holding adults and young adults.

  • Opened1991Thamesmead, south-east London
  • Held, June 2024717 men98 category A; 12 in the HSU
  • New arrivalsAbout 2,400 a yearPrison's own figures to inspectors
  • UnsentencedAround 60%Why the population turns over quickly

HMP Belmarsh is in Thamesmead, south-east London, and opened in 1991. HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) describes it as a reception prison holding adults and young adults, some of whom need a high level of security.

At its 2024 inspection HMIP counted it among the long-term and high-security prisons but noted it was the only core local prison in that group. The 2025 follow-up report put the group at 13 prisons and again called Belmarsh the only reception prison among them.

Belmarsh also runs a high security unit (HSU), described by inspectors as effectively a prison within the prison, for prisoners who present the very highest risk of escape.

Operator
The prison is publicly run. HMPPS workforce statistics place Belmarsh in the Long Term and High Security South region.
Providers (2024 report)
Practice Plus Group for health care, Phoenix Futures for substance misuse treatment and Milton Keynes College as the education provider.
  • Opened 1991 in Thamesmead (HMIP 2024 report).
  • Role: reception prison with a high security unit; around 60% of prisoners unsentenced in 2024.
  • Turnover: 3,231 men passed through in the Independent Monitoring Board's 2024-25 reporting year, about 270 a month.
  • Capacity and population figures for the current month appear in the at-a-glance section above, so they are not repeated here.

What HM Inspectorate of Prisons found

In shortBelmarsh was judged a generally competent prison in 2024, with purposeful activity rated poor, and its 2025 progress was called commendable.

  • SafetyReasonably good
  • RespectReasonably good
  • Purposeful activityPoor
  • Preparation for releaseReasonably good

The latest full inspection was unannounced and took place on 3 to 13 June 2024 (report published 16 September 2024). The Chief Inspector called Belmarsh a generally competent prison and noted a safer jail than in 2021.

His central concern was the regime: enough activity spaces existed for part-time work for everyone, yet only 22% of the prisoners in the inspectors' sample were allocated, and about a third were locked up during working hours.

Findings from the 2024 inspection

Concerns

  • Mandatory drug testing positive rate of 26%.
  • An increase in use of force since 2021.
  • A priority concern that reception and induction arrangements needed to improve.
  • Only a third of prisoners on suicide and self-harm support plans felt cared for.
  • Ofsted rated education, skills and work inadequate, its lowest grade.

Strengths

  • Judged reasonably good for safety, respect and preparation for release.
  • A safer jail than in 2021.
  • Self-harm lower than at comparable prisons.
Healthy prison test outcomes, full inspection of 3 to 13 June 2024
TestOutcome
SafetyReasonably good
RespectReasonably good
Purposeful activityPoor
Preparation for releaseReasonably good

Source: HMIP report published 16 September 2024. The 2025 review visit did not re-score these tests.

Independent review of progress, April 2025

An independent review of progress followed on 7 to 9 April 2025 (published 19 May 2025). Reviewers followed up seven of the inspectorate's concerns and found good progress on three and reasonable progress on four.

Ofsted found reasonable progress on three themes and insufficient progress on careers advice and guidance. The Chief Inspector called Belmarsh a well-led prison and described the progress as commendable. These reviews do not re-score the four healthy prison tests.

Staff culture, retention and workload

In shortThe 2024 report found a stable, fully staffed workforce, but the monitors later reported rising sickness that cut key work.

  • Line-manager support75%Rated good or very good in the staff survey (2024)
  • Prisoners saying staff respectful64%About two-thirds; similar to comparable prisons
  • Key work staffing, final month6 of 34Periods with the eight or more staff needed (IMB 2024-25)

For anyone thinking of applying, the most relevant passages in the 2024 report concern the staff group. Inspectors said Belmarsh was fully staffed at the time and had a more stable workforce than many reception prisons, although turnover of frontline staff had increased over the previous two years.

They said the governor had put support in place for new staff and that retention was among the best in London.

Inspectors on staff-prisoner relationships (2024)

Positive

  • About two-thirds of prisoners (64%) said staff treated them with respect, similar to comparable prisons.
  • Culture described as confident, capable and business-like rather than warm.
  • First-line managers visible on the wings at key times.
  • A staff group more diverse than usual, which prisoners said helped them resolve issues informally.

Concern

  • Some prisoners described a small number of staff as antagonistic.

Working at Belmarsh

In shortBelmarsh is outer London pay zone with no Band 3 market supplement listed on 3 October 2026, and entry pay is £38,840 to £43,739.

  • 37-hour trainee contract£38,840Entry pay point, a year
  • 41-hour contract£43,739Same range as the official recruitment page
  • Officers, 30 June 2026439 FTEBand 3 to 5, against a target of 451 (11 below)

Belmarsh is in the outer London pay zone and is not on the HMPPS market supplement list for Band 3 officers, as checked on 3 October 2026. See prison officer pay bands and London pay for how zones work.

The official recruitment page for Belmarsh says officers need Counter Terrorism Check clearance, which requires three years of UK residence, plus enhanced pre-employment screening.

What the official recruitment page says

  • Clearance: Counter Terrorism Check (three years of UK residence) plus enhanced pre-employment screening.
  • Start: six weeks of induction, consolidation and upskilling, then a year of mentoring and check-ins.
  • Perks: a free on-site gym, a staff mess and free on-site staff parking.
  • Check the journey: some shifts may fall outside normal public transport hours.
  • Apply through the HMPPS jobs portal (linked in the sources below); for the route, see how to become a prison officer.

Getting there: GOV.UK travel information

In shortOfficial sources name Woolwich Arsenal and Plumstead stations and confirm parking; we have not verified journey times.

These are the only travel details we have verified from official sources. We have not checked bus routes, journey times or local housing costs, so use the Transport for London journey planner for a shift-time journey.

Belmarsh sits close to two other south-east London prisons, Isis and Thameside, in Thamesmead, and all three are listed in Thamesmead, so it is worth comparing their inspection findings and pay arrangements if you live nearby.

  • Closest railway stations: Woolwich Arsenal and Plumstead (GOV.UK visitor page).
  • Plumstead is within walking distance, about a mile away for staff, with a bus from Woolwich Arsenal.
  • Visitor page: a visitors car park with Blue Badge spaces. Recruitment page: on-site staff parking is free.

Officer pay at HMP Belmarsh

Outer London zone; Band 3 rates from 1 April 2026, including the 20% unsocial hours allowance.

Band 3, 39 hours, entry£41,290No market supplement listed
Band 3, 37 hours, entry£38,840Trainee contract
Band 3, 41 hours, top pay point£46,054Highest Band 3 option here
Band 3 prison officer pay at HMP Belmarsh, 2026/27 (£ a year, base rates before supplement)
Contract hoursEntry (pay point 1)Maximum (pay point 3)
37 hours (trainee contract) incl. 20% unsocial hours£38,840£40,896
39 hours (2 additional committed hours)£41,290£43,475
41 hours (4 additional committed hours)£43,739£46,054

PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E. No supplement listed on the HMPPS jobs site, 3 October 2026.

Other grades at HMP Belmarsh (2026/27, £ a year)
GradeContractFromUp to
Band 2 Operational Support Grade37 hours incl. 25% unsocial hours£36,051£36,051
Band 4 Supervising / Specialist Officer37 hours incl. 20% unsocial hours£45,446£45,446
Band 5 Custodial Manager39 hours incl. 2 pensionable committed hours£51,471£53,941

Supplements apply to Band 3 only. PSPRB 25th Report, Appendix E.

Supplements are paid at other London prisons: Downview (£2,000), High Down (£2,000), Feltham (£2,000).

Turn these into take-home with the pay calculator, or see what the journey costs with the commute cost calculator. Band 3 pay explained.

Open the calculator pre-filled for Belmarsh

Capacity, performance and staffing

At 24 August 2026: operational capacity 773, population 733 (95%), certified normal accommodation in use 808. HMPPS monthly population bulletin.

HMPPS performance rating, 2025/26

RatingGood performance
Overall score63.5%
Functional groupReception

Scale 4 (outstanding) to 1 (serious concern). HMPPS prison performance ratings 2025/26.

Officer staffing against target

At 30 June 2026: 439 FTE Band 3 to 5 officers against a target of 451 (-11, hours-adjusted). A gap against target is not a count of advertised vacancies. HMPPS workforce statistics, June 2026.

Reception is HMPPS's functional-group label for the prison's role, not any prisoner's security category. Official wording: “A / high security”. See prison categories explained or all Reception prisons.

Latest inspection

HMIP's most recent report on Belmarsh was published 19 May 2025 (independent review of progress / review visit); that is the publication date, not the visit date.

safetyreasonably good
respectreasonably good
purposeful activitypoor
preparation for releasereasonably good

Grades from the latest full inspection report, published 16 September 2024; the later report above is a follow-up review that does not re-grade the tests.

Of the 122 prisons with full HMIP grades, 31 share its "reasonably good" safety grade and 38 its "poor" purposeful-activity grade. Only 41 of those 122 prisons were graded "poor" on at least one test, and this is one of them.

Read the HMIP report

Working at HMP Belmarsh and how to apply

HMP Belmarsh has its own HMPPS recruitment page. Read the live advert for closing dates and assessment-centre details.

Postcode: SE28 0EB. View on a map. Nearest railway station, per GOV.UK: Woolwich Arsenal and Plumstead.

Other prisons in London and similar prisons

These establishments are in the same county or region (10 listed in London). See all of them in one table.

Similar by HMPPS functional group (Reception)

Compare Belmarsh side by side in the prison finder

Related guides

HMP Belmarsh: frequently asked questions

How much does a prison officer earn at HMP Belmarsh?

From £41,290 a year on 39 hours at the entry pay point, rising to £43,475 (Outer London zone, 2026/27).

Does HMP Belmarsh pay a market supplement?

No: it is not on the HMPPS list (checked 3 October 2026). In London the listed prisons are Downview (£2,000), High Down (£2,000) and Feltham (£2,000).

Is HMP Belmarsh in the London pay zone?

Yes, the Outer London zone, where fixed cash differentials (up to £3,432 above the national 37-hour maxima) lift Band 3 pay.

What category is HMP Belmarsh?

HMPPS lists it in the "Reception" functional group, a label for the prison's role rather than the category of each prisoner. GOV.UK/HMIP wording: "A / high security".

How many prisoners can HMP Belmarsh hold?

Operational capacity 773, population 733 at 24 August 2026 (HMPPS bulletin).

When was HMP Belmarsh last inspected?

HMIP's latest report, published 19 May 2025, is a progress review. Grades at the latest full inspection (16 September 2024): safety reasonably good, respect reasonably good, purposeful activity poor, preparation for release reasonably good.

How do I apply to work at HMP Belmarsh?

Through the HMPPS recruitment page for HMP Belmarsh on the Prison and Probation Jobs site (linked above).

What is the nearest train station to HMP Belmarsh?

GOV.UK gives: Woolwich Arsenal and Plumstead.

Is Belmarsh a Category A prison?

GOV.UK describes Belmarsh as a high security prison, and HMIP says it holds adults and young adults, some needing a high level of security. In June 2024 there were 98 category A prisoners among 717 held, 12 of them in the high security unit. It is also a reception prison, so most prisoners are on remand or unsentenced.

What pay do prison officers at Belmarsh get?

Belmarsh is in the outer London pay zone with no Band 3 market supplement listed on 3 October 2026. The 37-hour trainee contract starts at £38,840 a year and the 41-hour contract at £43,739, matching the range on the official Belmarsh recruitment page. Pay points then rise with service. See the pay tables on this page for full figures.

What did inspectors say about staff at Belmarsh?

In 2024 HMIP found the prison fully staffed with unusually good retention for London and good line-manager support, and said staff culture was confident and capable rather than warm. The Independent Monitoring Board later reported a rise in staff sickness in 2024-25 that reduced key worker sessions. Both reports are linked in the sources.

Sources and method

Data as at 3 October 2026; see our methodology. Independent of HMPPS, the Ministry of Justice and the POA; not legal or financial advice. Out of date? Tell us.

Not verified for this prison: No Belmarsh-specific HMPPS statement of current officer vacancies or recruitment targets was found beyond the workforce-statistics staffing figure.; The Independent Monitoring Board report for 2025-26 was not yet published when checked, so IMB findings are for the year to 30 June 2025.; Bus routes, journey times and local housing costs were not checked because no official source gives them..