Prison Governor

You can apply to join the Senior Leadership Scheme. This is a 3-year training scheme available from Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Vacancies are advertised online and through social media when a recruitment campaign is taking place.

You may have an advantage if you've got a degree, though it's not essential. Employers are just as interested in what you've achieved throughout your career.

Experience in management and excellent communication skills, as well as assertiveness and integrity, are important.

You can also apply through the Unlocked Graduates programme. This is a 2-year fast-track leadership development route available to graduates, who:

• meet the HMPPS eligibility criteria
• already have, or be expecting to get, an upper second class degree
• have GCSE grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
• have the right to work in the UK for the length of the programme

You'll study for a postgraduate master's in leadership and custodial environments as part of the training.

You'll need:

• business management skills
• leadership skills
• customer service skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As part of your day to day duties, you may:

• manage prison security, standards and budgets
• supervise prisoners and make inspections
• support vulnerable prisoners and those at risk of self-harm
• carry out disciplinary procedures
• manage and motivate prison staff
• update records and write reports
• develop the prison to meet government targets, like the control of drugs
• work with other professionals, such as medical staff, social workers and probation officers

You could work in a prison.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

Further information

You can find out more about working in prisons from Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service.

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults
• pass security checks
• be over 18 years of age