Scottish Prison Service Careers and Employment

Work wellbeing

Results based on 57 responses to Indeed's work wellbeing survey.

Work wellbeing score is Below average, 64 out of 100

Happiness

How enjoyable people find their day-to-day life at work

Average

Purpose

How meaningful people find their work

Average

Satisfaction

How content people feel with the way things are at work

Average

Stress-free

How manageable people find their work stress

Low

About the company

CEO
Colin McConnell
38%
approve of Colin McConnell's performance

Founded
1993
Company size
1,001 to 5,000
Revenue
£4m to £20m (GBP)
Industry
Government & Public Administration
Headquarters
Edinburgh, UK
Link
Scottish Prison Service website

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government and was first established in April 1993. Our Framework Document sets out the policy and resources framework set by Scottish Ministers within which the SPS operates. As an Executive Agency, the SPS is funded by the Scottish Government.

The SPS is responsible for those who are committed to its care by the Courts and is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the delivery of custodial care in accord with The Pri...

The SPS is responsible for those who are committed to its care by the Courts and is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the delivery of custodial care in accord with The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011.

Learn more

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Salaries

Salary estimated from 520 employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed.

Rating overview

Rating is calculated based on 92 reviews and is evolving.

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Reviews

Operations Prison Officer in Scotland

on 16 November 2023

basic training and poor mentoring of new staff

Following a 6 weeks course at the SPS college you are returned to the establishment you will work at. You have the basic knowledge of the role but are then at the mercy of the more experienced staff to learn the individual posts. Some staff are very helpful but most resent the fact they have to assist new starts with learning the different posts and their role. Management seem to only value staf...

Operations Officer in Barlinee

on 27 November 2023

Won't recommend for a black or coloured person over the age of 25...cause growth is slow there.

The job in the prison is basic and simple but they made it hard,scary and intimidating.That's why they have high staff turnover,they need staffs yet they relief people of thier jobs for a basic and easy job function as working in the prison is something I will never understand.

Operations Officer in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire

on 4 November 2023

Toxic

Poor toxic work environment, Senior management more interested in the happiness of prisoners than the safety of their staff. FLMs more interested in impressing young attractive staff than doing their job properly. Anyone who speaks out against the wrongdoing is branded a troublemaker and gotten rid of. Typical day at work from start to finish usually involves dealing with and sorting out false p...

Residential Officer in Glasgow, Glasgow

on 29 October 2023

Terrible attitudes from top to bottom.

Weak management who hide and offer no support. Might be lucky to work with the handful of good staff but more than likely work with another weak individual just like the management. Toxic environment within staff, staff who bully prisoners but obviously only vulnerable ones.

Prison Officer in HMP Barliinnie

on 27 October 2023

Going downhill

Used to be one of the best jobs you could ask for, great staff and management alike. Now it feels like you can't trust your colleagues anymore to have your back, all new staff that are being brought in are not being properly vetted and are going to put both their colleagues and prisoners at risk with poor training and attitudes

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Questions and answers

People have asked 51 questions about working at Scottish Prison Service. See the answers, explore popular topics and discover unique insights from Scottish Prison Service employees.