Being a prison officer is one of the important and challenging roles within the criminal justice system in the UK. The role involves maintaining security in prisons, supervising convicts, and helping them to reform and rehabilitate. But, what’s the salary spectrum for this job? We’ve done the homework for you and summed up everything you need to know about the prison officer salary in the UK.
The starting salary for a prison officer in the UK varies based on location, experience, and type of institution. Here’s a breakdown:
- As of April 2022, the starting salary for a prison officer in England and Wales is approximately £23,529 per annum, not including the London weighting which could boost this amount for officers employed in the capital.
- The yearly salary for prison officers in Scotland typically falls between roughly £18,137 – £25,000, dependant on years of service and specific responsibilities.
- In Northern Ireland, the starting salary for a prison officer is usually around £18,720 – £22,244 annually, also subject to experience.
Let’s talk about potential increases:
Over time, and with accrued experience and added responsibilities, prison officers can see a significant rise in their salary. Below are typical salary brackets for those with several years of experience:
- In England and Wales, senior officers can earn up to around £29,017, and principal officers can make up to around £34,897 yearly.
- In Scotland, after a few years of service, officers can expect their salary to hit roughly £27,500, as per the framework agreed in April 2021.
- In Northern Ireland, experienced prison officers can earn from £24,427 to £31,309 annually.
Beyond the base salary, prison officers are also entitled to a host of benefits:
- Additional allowances, such as overtime, can also boost the overall take-home pay. The overtime rate usually equates to time and a third – time and a half for the weekdays, and double time for Sundays and bank holidays.
- A Civil Service Pension Scheme is offered, which is one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.
- 25 days of annual holiday, rising to 30 days after 10 years of service.
- Training opportunities and potential career progression within the prison service.
- Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling and support for work-related stress.
Even though the job can be physically and mentally taxing, the rewarding personal and societal benefits accompanying the fair pay make it a highly sought-after profession. If you’re seriously considering this career path, make sure to explore how to become a prison officer in the UK and start preparing today!
Please note: All salary figures mentioned here are subject to change and vary from one institution to another. Additionally, these estimates do not consider shift premiums, overtime, or London allowances – all of which can enhance a prison officer’s total earnings.
