Prison officer Roy Townsend at Norwich Prison. His job demands resilience, strength of character, integrity, patience, fairness, flexibility and above all a sense of humour.

Prison officer

Answers supplied by Julia Townsend, Head of Personnel at H M Prison Norwich. HMP Norwich is a multi-functional adult prison and young offenders Institution on two separate but adjacent sites. HMP Norwich accommodates category B & C adult men and young offenders on remand or serving sentences.

What does the job entail?
A huge variety of roles including responsibility for security, maintaining control, defusing tension and tackling the unexpected. Specific tasks will include the delivery of offending behaviour group work, which aims to help offenders recognise the reasons for their past behaviour and recognise potential catalysts to future problems, assisting with resettlement, becoming involved in legal issues, sentence plans and education.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
There are no specific qualifications required. However you need to be able to relate to people from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds. The specific skills they would look for are: resilience, strength of character, integrity, maturity, patience, fairness, flexibility and above all a sense of humour.

What type of person will fit in?
The prison service is seeking to attract a diverse workforce to reflect society as a whole. This is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people from all walks of life regardless of ethnic origin, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other irrelevant factor.

What are the pluses and minuses of the job?
As a prison officer you will be well paid and will receive a civil service pension at the end of your career. Staff are allowed to use gymnasium facilities and most prisons have a subsidised staff mess. Every prison operates around the clock and has to be staffed every day of the year. Prison officers work a variety of shifts including nights, weekends and some long days. On average a 39-hour week is worked over the shift cycle.

What opportunities exist for career progression?
On joining the prison service there is an initial probationary period of one year. Once the probationary period is completed you are encouraged to apply for promotion when you feel ready. There is ongoing training, tailored to the role you wish to progress into. An intensive development scheme is in place which allows those officers with the necessary leadership skills to progress more rapidly to operational manager F.

What can I expect to earn?
Starting salary for a prison officer is £16,500 rising to a maximum £25,000. Some prisons attract a local pay allowance of up to £3,500 dependent on the location.

Any hints on getting a job in this area?
Recruitment campaigns are always advertised in the local and national press.