A leadership programme like no other

Thank you for your interest in the Future Prison Leaders Programme.

Recruitment process

• What is the eligibility criteria?

  To be eligible for entry into this programme, candidates must meet Civil Service Nationality and Right to Work requirements for employment in the UK Civil Service.

  Additionally, to be eligible to apply for this programme you’ll need a degree/level or have people management experience. If you apply via the people management experience route, you will need to evidence that you have managed an individual at work within the application form to confirm eligibility.

• I do not have a degree, but I have a qualification that is equivalent to this. Can I still apply?

  To be eligible to apply for this programme you’ll need a degree/level 6 equivalent or have people management experience. You will need to confirm that you have a Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6 Undergraduate Degree or will have a Level 6 Degree by the time a contract of employment is issued (by 10th November 2025). If you possess an international qualification, you will need to obtain an ENIC statement of comparability by applying for a certificate that shows how your qualification compares to the UK education system. It will be your responsibility to source and pay for this service. If you do not have a degree, you may still be able to apply if you can evidence people management experience. To confirm eligibility under this route, you will need to evidence that you have managed an individual at work within the application form.

  If you do not have a degree, you may still be able to apply if you can evidence people management experience. To confirm eligibility under this route, you will need to evidence that you have managed an individual at work within the application form.

• How much management experience is required to be eligible?

  At application stage, you’ll be asked to provide evidence of your people management experience, this is to confirm your eligibility as part of the selection process. Please review the information provided within the application form to ensure your response addresses the main question and any probing questions.

• Can I apply if I am an internal operational member of staff?

  Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria. Internal staff are encouraged to apply to the specific Future Prison Leaders Programme that is for internal MoJ applicants only

  Internal Apply here

• Can I apply if I am an internal non-operational member of staff?

  Yes, if you meet the advertised eligibility criteria. Internal staff are encouraged to apply to the specific Future Prison Leaders Programme that is for internal MoJ applicants only .

  Internal Apply here

• If I am unsuccessful within the recruitment process, can I apply for other roles?

  If you are unsuccessful on this campaign, you are still able to apply for any advertised role within HMPPS, MoJ or the wider Civil Service.

• Can I apply if I am not a UK citizen?

  This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

  Further information on nationality requirements read more.

  Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

• What does the pre-employment checks process involve?

  Pre-employment checks include: Civil Service Eligibility, right to work/ID/address checks, Employment history verification, Criminal conviction check, Overseas police checks (where required), Health check, a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) and a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. This is not an exhaustive list, HMPPS may also undertake social media and open-source checks.

• What if I fail the pre-employment checks process?

  As a HMPPS employee, you will be working in a position of trust. Security vetting plays a key role in assessing an individual’s integrity and so has a strong link to public trust and confidence within HMPPS. The vetting process considers several factors to determine an applicant’s suitability for employment. If you feel that you have additional information that should be taken into consideration in light of a decision to fail your vetting, you can submit an appeal for further consideration.

Selection process

• How do I apply?

  To apply to this programme, you will need to register on our careers portal and this includes providing responses to two behavior-based questions.

  If you have applied under the People Management Experience route, you will be asked an additional question to confirm your eligibility.

  Internal applications Apply here

  External applications Apply here

• What will be assessed during the recruitment process?

  You will be assessed against the core requirements for the role on the programme, this includes measuring strengths, behaviours, and ability areas. You will be provided with further assessment information prior to each stage of the recruitment process.

• Will I get my results for each stage straight away?

  You will not receive your results immediately after completing each assessment stage. Candidate performance will be reviewed once all candidates have completed the assessments. We will notify you via email of the outcome at the earliest opportunity.

• Will I be paid travel and have accommodation for the face-to-face assessment centres?

  You will need to cover the cost of travel and accommodation for the assessment centre. The assessment centre will be held at Prison Service College, Newbold Revel, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 0TH.

  Internal candidates applying through the MOJ internal programme will be able to claim travel and subsistence in line with existing HMPPS policy.

• What happens if I fall ill on the day of the assessment centre?

  Please refer to your assessment centre information, where instructions will be provided about who to contact. You may be invited to attend an alternative assessment date where possible within the published dates, but an alternative date cannot be guaranteed.

• I need reasonable adjustments; how will this be accommodated?

  Please select that you require reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process when asked within the application form. Our Reasonable Adjustment Scheme (RAS) team will be in contact with you to discuss what you would find helpful for the assessment stages.

• If I have a query or concern during the assessment centre, what should I do?

  Please refer to your assessment centre information, where instructions will be provided about who to speak to during your assessment centre. If you have reasonable adjustments, please do discuss any questions with your assessor prior to completing each assessment.

Medical and Fitness Test

• Will I be required to complete a medical and fitness test?

  Yes, at the stage 3 face-to-face assessment, candidates will be required to complete a fitness test and medical assessment. These are not part of the suitability assessment but need to be completed and passed before you can be offered a position. This requires you to complete:

  Medical

  The purpose of the medical is to assess your general level of health. Factors such as weight, blood pressure, eyesight in both eyes and hearing so that an informed opinion can be made on whether you are fit for a role as a prison officer and can undergo a fitness test.

  If you use an inhaler, wear glasses, use hearing aids or are on any prescription medication you must bring these with you, and they must be in date.

  • Eye test: You must have a minimum uncorrected (without glasses or lenses) distance visual acuity of 6/36 with both eyes open and have a corrected visual acuity with a minimum of 6/12 with both eyes open. If correction required to achieve this, at least 6/36 uncorrected with both eyes open. This is conducted using a keystone machine or if unavailable a Snellen test. If unsuccessful at this stage, you will be advised to see your Optician for a report that can be submitted at a later date.
  • Hearing test: You should be able to hear normal conversation at a distance of 10 feet (3m) without the use of hearing aids. Hearing will be tested by formal assessment on the day. This will be conducted using the whisper test.
  • Blood pressure (BP): It is important your blood pressure is recorded on the day of assessment as within a safe range, this will allow you to safely proceed to partake in the fitness test.
    • If your BP is between 90/60 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg this is satisfactory, and you will be able to progress to your fitness test.
    • If your BP is below 90/60 mmHg or above 160/100 mmHg you will be required to have 3 further readings to determine if your BP is within the range of 90/60 mmHg – 160/100 mmHg. Your BP is tested on both arms. If the further readings fall within these parameters you will progress to the fitness test, if they remain above or below, it would not be safe to partake in the fitness test on that day.
    • If it is deemed that you are unable to complete the test on the day due to your BP reading being too high or low, you will be advised to see your GP and you will be allowed time within the recruitment process to do this.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI): Your BMI is checked and ideally should be 30 or less. On a specific basis, those with a BMI of 31-35 may also be considered fit, particularly if they are heavily muscled individuals and have no restrictions to their movement / activities and no underlying contributing health factors. If your BMI is over this, the medical staff will seek advice on the day on how you progress. We do understand that people have different body types, and this may not preclude you from testing.

  Once you have passed all elements of the medical you will be then approved to proceed to the fitness test stage on the same day.

  Fitness

  The fitness assessment will involve:

  • Grip test 25kg pressure pass mark on both hands
  • Multi-stage fitness test (bleep test) pass mark reaching level 5.4 on a 15-meter test running for 3 minutes and 35 seconds
  • Shield hold 1 minute
  • Speed and agility completion under 34 seconds

  Fitness assessment guidance

• Can I wear glasses or contact lenses for the eye test?

  We will test your vision in both eyes with and without glasses or contact lenses (if you wear them). We need to test your uncorrected vision, so this means that you will need to remove your contact lenses or glasses. Please remember to bring contact lens solution if you will need to put your lenses back in.

• Can I do the hearing test whilst using hearing aids?

  A suitable standard of hearing is required for safety reasons for all potential candidates for prison officer training. You should be able to hear at 10 feet (3 metres) without the use of a hearing aid.

• What if I fail the medical?

  You will be required to attend a medical with an Occupational Health professional. The purpose of the medical is to assess your general level of health. Factors such as weight, blood pressure, eyesight in both eyes and hearing are considered so an informed decision can be made on whether you are fit for employment and can undergo the fitness test. If for any reason you are not passed as ‘fit’, the Occupational Health professional will discuss this with you in more detail along with next steps.

• What if I fail the fitness test?

  If you do not pass your initial test, you will be given 8 weeks to prepare before being provided with one final attempt. Should you not succeed on the second attempt, unfortunately, we will not be able to proceed with your application.

General Programme

• How many vacancies are there?

  There is opportunity for up to 35 people on this three-year programme.

• Will I get to visit a prison before I accept my contract?

  If you are successful on gaining a place on the programme, you will be invited to a prison within your region for an immersion day. During the visit you will be meet key people within the prison, be taken on a tour and have an opportunity to ask questions.

• If successful, when would I start on the programme?

  Programme participants’ start date will be 29 December 2025.

• When should I hand my notice into my current employer?

  You should not hand in your notice to your current employers until your pre-employment checks have been completed and you have been contacted to arrange a start date.

• What does the programme look like?

  After an adapted version of Prison Officer foundation training, you will spend time in three prison placements within the adult male, youth custody, long term high security or women’s estate. The first placement will be as a Prison Officer, the second as a Custodial Manager and the third as a Head of Function .

  Prison officers work with a range of people and perform a variety of tasks – from keeping the prison safe and secure, to helping vulnerable people through a difficult time in their lives.

  Custodial managers are the most senior uniformed officers in a prison. They manage prison activities, often across multiple departments. Responsibilities include managing people and resources.

  Heads of Functions lead and manage a variety of areas within the prison such as reducing reoffending, security or residential and will operate as part of the prison’s senior management team.

  Alongside the placements, there is a comprehensive leadership programme that integrates extensive training and development with routine requirements. The programme will be fast paced and challenging. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge required by senior prison leaders.  You will be expected to rise to the challenge and demonstrate your growth as a practitioner within a modern custodial environment, both formally through assessment and on a daily basis within an operational setting.

• Will I complete Prison Officer foundation training?

  Yes, you must complete Prison Officer foundation training. Initial training will be residential and will be based at Prison Service College, Newbold Revel, near Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 0TH (unless you live within an hour’s travel) for a block period of around eight weeks starting on 5 January 2026. You must be able to attend this training course as no alternative locations or dates will be made available for this part of the programme.

• Will I be allowed any time off during Prison Officer foundation training?

  Unfortunately not. Upon applying for the programme, you must be able to guarantee that you can attend foundation training for eight weeks from 5 January 2026 as there are no alternative dates available.

• Do I have to complete Prison Officer Foundation Training if I have previously been an operational member of staff but left the service?

  Depending on how long ago you completed Prison Officer training, you may not be required to re-complete the full training course but will be required to undertake certain refresher elements. Current staff will be required to accept new terms and conditions when joining the programme, including the requirement to undertake fitness and medical as part of the recruitment process.

• Will I have to wear uniform?

  HMPPS is a uniformed service. You will be provided with a uniform that you must wear to work every day when you are on your Prison Officer and Custodial Manager placements.

• Where can I be expected to be based?

  Throughout the programme you will be a mobile grade and will undertake three placements, all of which will likely be at different prisons within your region or nearby. Whilst your location preferences will be considered, they cannot be guaranteed. Moving prisons means you can benefit from experiencing different establishments and they provide a new opportunity for you to put into practice what you learn on the programme.

• I am currently employed by HMPPS, and work at a prison, can I stay there?

  If you are already working in a prison, your first placement will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on what role you are currently doing and how long you have been there. In most instances, however, it is likely to be more appropriate for you to move to another establishment as part of your preparation for a Custodial Manager role.

• Will I have the opportunity to work in different types of prison like Youth Custody and the Women’s estate?

  Yes, the programme encourages placements in different types of prison, however occupational requirements will be taken into consideration for certain types of estates.

• Will there be assessments throughout the Programme?

  Your progress will be subject both to ongoing review and formal assessments.

• What happens if I do not pass mandatory training or assessments during the programme?

  Participants are required to pass all assessments and mandatory training to proceed to the next stage of the programme. A total of two attempts at the Custodial Manager Assessment Centre (or its equivalent) are permitted, and you are entitled to appeal the outcome of the assessments using the HMPPS promotional assessments appeals process. If you do not pass these elements, you will not be able to continue the programme and standard performance management procedures will be applied which may include dismissal or a move to another role, such as a Prison Officer. Upon redeployment to an alternative position, your salary will be adjusted according to the corresponding pay-point on the relevant pay scale.

• Will I be supported whilst on the programme?

  Support will be provided to participants through their line manager and other senior leaders, alongside peer action learning sets and mentoring. The cohort will also be brought together often to create a cohort support network alongside celebrating progress at key milestones.

• Am I guaranteed a job at the end of my three years on the Future Prison Leaders Programme?

  On successful completion of the programme you will be placed in a substantive band 7 Head of Function role.

Salary, Expenses and Annual Leave

• What is the starting salary?

  You will be contracted to 37 hours and you can opt to work 39 or 41 hours upon completion of Foundation training. The majority of prison officers opt to work 39 hours. Salary depends on prison location. An overview of the salary is below.

  	37 hours	39 hours	41 hours
  Inner London prisons	£37,973	£40,367	£42,762
  Outer London prisons	£36,082	£38,357	£40,632
  National prisons	£32,448	£34,494	£36,541
  Figures include a 20% unsocial hours allowance. A market supplement of £2,000 to £3,500 applies to some prisons (not included above) in year 1 of the programme.

  These rates are correct as at 1 April 2024. Rates are subject to an annual pay review, with any increase for this year being effective from 1 April 2025 (due to be published around June 2025).

  Salary Information

• What will be my salary in subsequent years?

  In subsequent years you will be contracted to 37 hours, and you do not have the option to increase your hours. The table below outlines indicative pay levels for years 2 and 3 based on rates as at 1 April 2024. Rates are subject to an annual pay review, with any increases being effective from 1 April.

  	Year 2	Year 3
  Inner London prisons	£47,263	£66,180
  Outer London prisons	£45,362	£64,188
  National prisons	£41,712	£60,364
  Year 2 figures include a 20% unsocial hours allowance and year 3 figures include a required hours allowance.

  Salary uplifts are dependent on passing required assessments and progressing through the programme.

• Will I receive any pay increases during my time on the programme?

  Pay is subject to annual review, determined by recommendations from the independent Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB). Any changes to pay will normally be effective from the pay settlement date of 1 April each year.

• What is the annual leave entitlement?

  New entrants to the Civil Service receive will receive 25 days rising to a maximum of 30 days (after 10 years of service), plus 8 public holidays and 1 privilege day. TOIL is accrued for hours worked over contracted hours which can be used at other times, subject to approval.

• Am I entitled to claim travel expenses linked to my placements?

  Your initial posting will be at your own expense. Should you be required to travel in the course of your duties you will be able to claim expenses in line with HMPPS policy. For any subsequent placements, depending upon the impact you may be able to claim an allowance for any additional travel expenditure to your new base location.

• When on the programme, will I be paid expenses and have accommodation for the residential elements of the programme?

  When you are away from home for training, accommodation will be provided, and you will be able to claim appropriate travel and subsistence in line with HMPPS policy.