3314- PRISON SERVICE OFFICERS (BELOW PRINCIPAL OFFICER)

Job Title: 

PRISON SERVICE OFFICERS (BELOW PRINCIPAL OFFICER)

Alternate Titles: 

,Prison custodial officer,Prison escort officer,Prison officer,Prison warden

Job Description: 

Prison service officers (below Principal Officer) direct, co-ordinate and participate in guarding inmates and maintaining discipline in prisons and other detention centres.

Education: 

There are no formal academic requirements for entry but candidates must pass a pre-entry test and full medical examination. Basic training is followed by a 12 month probationary period during which further on-the-job training is provided. Background checks are required for entrants, and there are generally nationality restrictions and a lower age limit of 18 years.
Refer The S/NVQ framework for more details

NS-SEC: 

The simplified NS-SEC analytic class for this code is 3
The simplified NS-SEC operational category for this code is 7.2
Refer The National Statistics Socio-economic Classification for more details

Tasks: 


  • escorts prisoners to and from cells and supervises them during meals, recreation and visiting periods;
  • watches for any infringements of regulations and searches prisoners and cells for weapons, drugs and other contraband items;
  • guards entrances and perimeter walls;
  • investigates disturbances or any other unusual occurrences;
  • escorts prisoners transferred from one institution to another;
  • runs prisoner rehabilitation and support programmes;
  • provides care and support to prisoners in custody including prevention of self harm;
  • trains and supervises prison staff;
  • reports on prisoners? conduct as necessary.
International Careers(ISCO): 
Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
Source Of Info: 

Office of National Statistics UK