Prison Officers: Career Development and Training

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is committed to ensuring that prison officers receive the training, development and support they need throughout their careers.

All new prison officers undertake foundation training on joining HMPPS. This is supplemented by a range of ongoing learning and development opportunities, including mandatory refresher training, role-specific professional development, specialist qualifications and leadership programmes. Prison officers can also pursue career pathways in specialist areas such as security, offender management, physical education, dog handling and operational leadership.

HMPPS is currently redesigning Prison Officer Foundation Training as part of wider workforce transformation activity. The proposed model introduces a structured 12-month learning journey, combining formal training with supported operational experience, regular assessment, mentoring and digital tracking of progress. The aim is to embed continuous professional development throughout an officer’s career, rather than concentrating training solely at the point of entry.

These measures are intended to ensure that prison officers have the skills, knowledge and support required to work safely and effectively, while providing clear opportunities for professional development and career progression.