As a PEI you will be a specialist prison officer who has completed additional training to be competent for the role. This is a promotion for a prison officer.
You will be passionate about sport and physical activity to help improve outcomes for those in custody. PE activities can be effectively used as a ‘hook’, often by including participants in an activity that they enjoy, they are more likely
to engage and take advantage of other learning opportunities.
Your role will be to deliver a safe, decent and legal PE programme which helps to ensure that those in custody are physically fit to engage with prison work and activity opportunities, whilst maintaining physical health and mental fitness
in custody and on release.
You will also support staff wellbeing by running programmes and events. These may include lunchtime fitness classes, wellbeing days, team sports and even hikes up Mount Snowdon!
Eligibility
You will need to be a qualified prison officer
You will need to pass a higher PE level fitness test before your pre-selection course
You will need to complete a pre-selection and full PE course
You will need to pass a promotion assessment interview
Pay
Starting pay will be the same as a Band 3
Prison Officer, however once qualified this will increase in line with your promotion as a Band 4 Physical Education Instructor.
Your pay depends on where you work in England and Wales, and your weekly shift hours. You will start on a 37-hour contract until your initial training is complete. After this you can choose to increase your hours to 39
or 41 hours a week.
You can also earn more if overtime is available in your prison. Figures based on new pay award from April 2022.
Example starting salary for a 39 hour week (including 20% unsocial hours allowance)
Inner London
£41,476
Outer London
£39,607
Other locations
£36,020
Benefits
· 25 days annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service)
paid special leave for Reservists to participate in the continuous mandatory period of training.
*Operational grades within prisons operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and you will be
expected to work on some public and bank holidays. Any that you do work will be added to your annual
leave entitlement.
PE Level Fitness Test
You will receive support from your local PE department to pass the higher PE Level fitness test.
Fast-Track Assessment Process
We’ve significantly reduced the length of time it takes to become a PEI compared to the standard process. This means that you will be able to start your training during your probationary year. The remaining training will
be the same and consists of:
A 4-day pre-selection process – This is to ensure prospective PEI’s have the key strengths and qualities needed to meet the demands of the full PE course. A high level of fitness, communication skills, basic hand-eye
co-ordination, along with good core strength and flexibility are key elements that are needed to successfully complete this.
A 13-week PE course - On successful completion of your Pre-Selection, you can apply for PEI vacancies and secure your place on your PE Course. The full PE course involves gaining several sports based and teaching qualifications
such as Gym Instructor Level 2, British Weight Lifting Level 3 and Education and Training Level 3.
Veteran’s Stories
Find out about Veterans who have taken up careers with HMPPS after leaving the Armed Forces.
