prison jobs in South Yorkshire

Prisoner Custody Officer

Pontefract Vehicle Base

Permanent | 38 hours per week

We offer a starting salary of £25,688 (£13.00 per hour), increasing to £26,676 (£13.50 per hour) from 1 September 2026, with a further increase to £29,640 (£15.00 per hour) upon successful completion of 12 months' service.

Plus regular overtime opportunities (subject to operational requirements).

A full UK Driving Licence is required for this role.

Make a Difference Every Day

As a Prisoner Custody Officer with GEOAmey, you'll play a vital role in the justice system, ensuring people in custody are transported safely, securely and with dignity throughout their journey.

This is a varied, challenging and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll work with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including people who may be vulnerable, distressed or experiencing complex personal circumstances. Your professionalism, judgement and ability to remain calm under pressure will help ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone in your care.

Working alongside prisons, courts, police forces and other justice partners, you'll help keep the justice system moving safely and effectively while treating every individual with fairness, respect and humanity.

What You'll Do

• Ensure the safety, security and welfare of people in custody at all times

• Escort, supervise and transport individuals safely between prisons, police stations and courts

• Support vulnerable individuals with professionalism, empathy and care

• Conduct welfare checks and monitor physical and mental wellbeing

• Complete risk assessments and maintain accurate operational records

• Respond calmly and professionally to challenging or unexpected situations

• Liaise effectively with prisons, police, courts and other justice partners

• Carry out vehicle checks and ensure vehicles are safe, secure and operationally ready

• Support colleagues with prisoner custody activities within courts and custody environments when required

• Help maintain security, safety and good order throughout all aspects of prisoner transportation

What the Role Involves

This role can be physically and emotionally demanding, requiring resilience, professionalism and excellent communication skills. You may work with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, substance misuse issues, distress or challenging behaviour.

You'll spend much of your working day operating within secure environments and travelling between locations. You'll need to be comfortable following operational procedures, adapting to changing circumstances and making sound decisions under pressure.

The role requires a basic level of physical fitness to carry out operational duties safely and may require flexibility in working hours and overtime to support operational requirements.

Could This Be You?

You don't need previous custody, security or transport experience. We welcome applications from people with backgrounds in customer service, care, hospitality, retail, logistics, transport, the armed forces and many other sectors.

What matters most is that you're:

• Professional and reliable

• Calm and confident under pressure

• Resilient and adaptable

• A strong communicator

• Able to make sound decisions and use good judgement

• Comfortable working within procedures and maintaining high standards

• Committed to treating everyone fairly, safely and with respect

• Able to work effectively as part of a close-knit team

Full Training Provided

Our comprehensive training programme will provide you with the skills and confidence to succeed and includes:

• Prisoner Custody Officer Certification

• First Aid

• Conflict Management

• Control & Restraint Techniques

• Mental Health Awareness

• Risk Assessment and Operational Procedures

• Personal Safety and Security Procedures

• Safeguarding and Welfare Responsibilities

• Vehicle and Escort Operations

You'll also complete a supported job shadowing programme before starting in role, ensuring you feel prepared and supported from day one.

Training Dates

Course Start: 17th August 2026

Course End: 21st September 2026

Please note that 100% attendance is required throughout training.

Recruitment Process

1. Telephone screening and role overview

2. Online psychometric assessment

3. Competency-based interview via Microsoft Teams

Why GEOAmey?

GEOAmey delivers secure transportation and court custody services across England and Wales on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Operating a fleet of over 240 specialist vehicles from 12 vehicle bases, our Prisoner Custody Officers play a vital role in supporting the justice system every day. We employ over 2,000 colleagues across the UK, all committed to delivering safe, secure and professional services while ensuring those in our care are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

Our officers come from a wide range of backgrounds, bringing different experiences and perspectives to a role that combines public service, professionalism and care.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Competitive pension scheme and life assurance

• Healthcare Cash Plan and 24/7 GP access

• Retail discounts and employee benefits platform

• Mental health and wellbeing support

• Enhanced family-friendly benefits

• Career development and progression opportunities

• Comprehensive training and professional development

• Regular overtime opportunities

• The opportunity to perform a meaningful role supporting the Criminal Justice System

Vetting

Successful candidates will be required to pass an Enhanced Disclosure Check and Ministry of Justice Level 2 Vetting.

The vetting process is designed to assess suitability for positions involving vulnerable individuals, sensitive information and high levels of trust. Any information obtained during the vetting process will be treated confidentially and in accordance with data protection legislation.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At GEOAmey, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and able to succeed. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and believe that diverse teams help us better serve our communities and deliver excellent public services.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're looking for a meaningful career where no two days are the same, where you'll be trusted to make important decisions and where your work genuinely matters, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and start your journey with GEOAmey.