To become a prison officer in the UK, you can apply directly without formal qualifications, pass an online test of judgement and number skills, then an assessment day with fitness, health and skills tests, an interview and role play. In the US, correctional officers typically need a high school diploma and complete a training academy, and federal prisons ask for a bachelor's degree or relevant experience.
It's one of the few public service careers where personal qualities matter more than certificates. That's good news if you don't have many qualifications, and it shapes how you should prepare.
The UK route comes from the National Careers Service and the US figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, both read on 26 October 2026.
UK prison officer pay and hours
| What you'll want to know | National Careers Service figure |
|---|---|
| Starting salary | £33,000 a year |
| Experienced salary | £40,000 a year |
| Typical hours | 37 to 41 a week |
| When you could work | Evenings, weekends and bank holidays on shifts |
| Minimum age | Over 18 |
Those salary figures are as of October 2026.
The UK selection process
- Apply directly. You don't need qualifications for a direct application, because personal qualities are more important in this role.
- Take the online test. It checks your judgement and number skills.
- Attend an assessment day. You'll be tested on number, reading and writing skills, fitness, and health, hearing and eyesight.
- Interview and role play. These show whether you have the right personal qualities for the job.
- Pass background and medical checks. Enhanced background checks and a medical check are required.
There's also an apprenticeship route: the Custody and Detention Professional Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which usually needs GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 in English and maths, or equivalent.
Why the role play matters more than your CV
Because qualifications aren't required, the role play and interview carry a lot of weight. They're designed to show how you handle people and pressure, which is the heart of the job: keeping prisoners secure, supporting those who are vulnerable and sometimes using authorised control and restraint.
HM Prison and Probation Service has an online career matching tool you can try before applying. Use it, then practise talking through how you'd calm a tense situation. These tips on answering interview questions with confidence help with the interview stage.
Skills the prison service looks for
- Staying calm and patient in stressful situations
- Taking criticism and working well under pressure
- Clear spoken communication
- Leadership and attention to detail
- Flexibility when plans change
- Some knowledge of court procedures and regulations
You won't need all of these on day one, but the assessment day and role play are built to test them. If you've worked in security, care, customer service or the armed forces, use those examples. If you haven't, this guide to preparing for an interview with no direct experience helps you turn everyday situations into strong answers.
US correctional officer pay and jobs
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay, correctional officers and jailers (May 2025) | $58,940 a year |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $42,760 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $93,220 |
| Correctional officer and jailer jobs in 2025 | 397,800 |
| Projected change 2025 to 2035 (with bailiffs) | A fall of 7% |
| Openings each year (with bailiffs) | About 30,000 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026.
The US route
- Education. At least a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Age. Many agencies set a minimum age, usually between 18 and 21. Federal agencies may have a maximum entry age.
- Federal prisons. The Federal Bureau of Prisons requires a bachelor's degree or several years of experience in counseling, assistance or supervision.
- Academy. Training covers self-defense, institutional policies, regulations, operations and security procedures. New officers may shadow experienced staff afterwards.
- Certification. Some states require state certification.
Federal jobs pay more
| Employer | Share of jobs | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| State government | 52% | $59,990 |
| Local government | 40 in every 100 | $58,500 |
| Federal government | 4 in every 100 | $74,630 |
| Facilities support services | 3 in every 100 | $46,910 |
Federal correctional officers earned a median of $74,630, as of October 2026, but that's the route with the higher entry bar. BLS also notes the job has one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations, and overtime is common.
Progression in both countries
In the UK, you could move into rehabilitation projects, become a supervising officer or custodial manager, lead a function such as security or reoffending reduction, and work up to deputy governor or governor. In the US, officers can advance to sergeant, lieutenant or captain, or join specialist units. If you're drawn to the rehabilitation side, probation work is a related career worth comparing.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
My verdict
Prison work is open to people without formal qualifications in the UK, and with a high school diploma in the US, but selection is thorough and the job is demanding. In the UK, put your effort into the online test, fitness and the role play. In the US, check your state's minimum age and academy requirements, and if you want federal pay, build the degree or counseling experience the Bureau of Prisons asks for.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need qualifications to be a prison officer in the UK?
No. For a direct application, you don't need qualifications because personal qualities are more important. You'll take an online test and attend an assessment day.
How much do prison officers earn in the UK?
The National Careers Service gives £33,000 a year for starters and £40,000 for experienced prison officers, as of October 2026.
What happens at a prison officer assessment day?
You'll be tested on number, reading and writing skills, fitness, and health, hearing and eyesight, and you'll have an interview and role play.
How do you become a correctional officer in the US?
You typically need a high school diploma, then you complete a training academy. Many agencies set a minimum age between 18 and 21.
How much do correctional officers make?
BLS reports a median of $58,940 a year for correctional officers and jailers in May 2025, and $74,630 in the federal government.
Is there a prison officer apprenticeship?
Yes. In England, the Custody and Detention Professional Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship is an option.
Is being a correctional officer dangerous?
BLS says working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous, with one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.
Do prison officers work shifts?
Yes. In the UK you could work evenings, weekends and bank holidays on shifts, and in the US officers work shifts that cover all hours, including weekends and holidays.
