The Prison Service is a hugely diverse, highly professional organisation that offers employees the opportunity to pursue a career of national importance that will have a tangible effect on the lives of thousands of people. We serve the public by keeping in custody those committed by the courts. Our duty is to look after them with humanity and help them lead law-abiding and useful lives in custody and after release.

ON A JOURNEY

Since 1997 a programme of reform and significant investment has been in place that has seen the recruitment of an additional 6,000+ staff, the introduction of radical initiatives aimed at tackling re-offending and making sentences work, and, most recently, the unveiling of a groundbreaking move that will result in the creation of a new body, one that will provide end-to-end offender management, whether prisoners are serving sentences in prison, the community or both.

The journey we are on will rely upon the brightest individuals to take control and set new standards. Qualities like patience, the ability to make quick, clear decisions under pressure, and the ability to keep a sense of humour in sometimes difficult and stressful situations are essential in the future leaders we seek to employ.

TRAINING FOR LEADERS

Managing a variety of staff, many of whom will be more experienced than you. Providing crucial support when someone is feeling suicidal. Helping prisoners to become useful members of the community on their release. Taking responsibility for the budgets and resources of a major business. These are the types of challenge waiting for you as a future leader in the Prison Service.

The Intensive Development Scheme, a 3-year fast-track programme, is designed to prepare you for this. It will equip you with the range of skills needed to operate effectively as a manager with the potential to progress to senior management positions, including governing a prison.

The Scheme combines a mix of formal training programmes with practical experience that sees you progress through the roles of Prison Officer and Senior Officer before moving into your first middle management role, classified as a Trainee Manager F.

Throughout the Scheme, your experiences and training opportunities will be guided by your mentors, your line managers and yourself. And at key stages of your development you will sit written exams and Job Simulation Assessment Centres. When you have completed the Scheme, usually after around 3 years, you will be in a position to apply for senior management posts in any of the 130 prisons across England and Wales.

GET THE INSIDE STORY

Of course, many of the qualities we look for in our future leaders can't really be taught: like patience, the ability to make quick, clear decisions under pressure, and the ability to keep a sense of situations. As for everything else, the training, tools and support we provide are designed to prepare you in every way.

We are looking for people who know what they are getting into - and who are really excited by it. We welcome applications from candidates regardless of ethnic origin, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other irrelevant factor.

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