Prison Custody Officer (PCO)

Job Introduction

Great Prison Custody Officers (PCOs) are key to the smooth running of our prisons.  They have an important role to play in supporting prisoners with their rehabilitation and creating a positive and safe environment. 

What makes a great PCO?

We’re looking for people who will be a natural fit for the job.  Background and experience are not important. It’s the kind of person you are that matters. We can teach you the rest.

Are you responsible, reliable and good at building trust with others?

Are you the sort of person who:

• Is reliable, true to your word and can always be depended on to get things done?
• Always treats others fairly and with respect?  Are you able to see past bad behaviour and start each day afresh?
• Is quick to notice things, such as changes in people’s moods or when something isn’t quite right?
• Is consistent – people know where they stand with you.  Do you stick to the important rules (or if not you have very good reasons not to)?
• Can easily connect and talk to all sorts of people from different backgrounds on their level?
• Is straightforward and ‘tell it as it is’?
• Helps others out including helping people find ways to help themselves?
• Keeps calm under pressure

In this role you will be required to write reports and use IT systems and software packages independently. Basic skills are required  but training will be given as part of induction and ongoing development.

Role Responsibility

You might be working on a main wing with a team of other PCOs responsible for prisoners.  Your role will involve everything from managing the regular prison routines, (locking & unlocking, supervising meals and recreation time to escorting people to prison work and education). You’ll need to deal with the more challenging aspects of prison life such as abusive and violent behaviour. You’ll be working with all sorts of prisoners including those on long sentences, people convicted of serious crime and vulnerable individuals.

Why be a PCO?

People enjoy it for many reasons.  Some enjoy the variety and challenge of working with very different people and dealing with all sorts of issues. Others get a buzz from seeing the prisoners improve and progress (however small the changes). 

Many PCOs appreciate the security and stability of the regular work routines. Others appreciate shift patterns, which allow them flexibility to carry out their responsibilities outside of work.

The Ideal Candidate

Our great PCOs come to us with all kinds of work and life experience. Some have worked in retail, healthcare, call centers and as taxi drivers. Others are ex-military, police and security services personnel. The work you’ve done before doesn't matter. What matters is that you’re ‘made of the right stuff’ – the rest you will learn during our intensive 10 week training course and then in the job with the support of experienced colleagues.

Recruitment process:

• Full completion of application form on Sodexo careers website by 09th October 2022.
• Fitness Test: W/C 17th October 2022.
• Interviews: W/C 24th October 2022.
• Start Date of course: 12th December 2022. (You will be required to complete a mandatory 10 week training course. No annual leave can be taken during this period.) The training will be Monday to Friday.

The above dates are subject to change.

Please note: initial communication will be via email, please monitor your JUNK and SPAM folders to ensure you are aware of next stage requirements.

If you have been interviewed for this role within the last 12 months, your application will not be proceeded with.

Package Description

Salary of £24,752.73 per annum, increasing to £25,419.74 per annum after 1 year service and to £28,190.97 per annum for 4 years service.

In addition to this Market Forces allowance is paid at £2690.64 per annum (£224.22 per month) in the first 13 months of employment, this then increases to £3103.92 per annum (£258.66 per month) thereafter and meeting apprenticeship standards.

Benefits including 28 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays),pension, discounted health cover, subsidised gym membership, free meals on duty and free on-site parking.

About the Company

About Sodexo 

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. 

We are committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Working Parents, Sodexo Disability, So together, generations and origins.  We have also launched Be Heard which is an employee network designed to bring black colleagues together (virtually) to bring about positive change.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.