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General Information

Salary
The national salary is £58,511 - £65,329. London salary is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London, National
Region
London, National
Closing Date
07-Apr-2026
Post Type
Loan, Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
2
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
15624

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Who we are:

We are an independent inspectorate led by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. We scrutinise the conditions and treatment of prisoners and other detainees and report on our findings.

We help to make sure that detention is humane, safe, respectful and helps to prepare people for release ahead of their return to the community. We do that by carrying out independent inspections of prisons, young offender institutions, secure training centres and courts in England and Wales and places of immigration detention across the UK.

Find out about our expectations for different types of detention.

We publish reports to let people know about our findings and hold the government, and those running places of detention, to account. We also identify and share examples of good practice to support leaders in learning from other, comparable institutions.

Our role is to shine a light on what needs to change, but we cannot enforce it. It is up to prison leaders to consider the best way to respond to our concerns and use their resources and expertise to find solutions. HM Prison and Probation Service or the Home Office should work with the establishment to support this progress.

Find out more about our mandate.

About the role:

HM Inspectorate of Prisons are looking for Inspectors to inspect prison and other forms of custody. The inspector is the pivotal role within our organisation, inspecting the conditions and treatment prisoners and detainees experience whilst they are held in custody. They do these using criteria we call Expectations, which describe the standards establishments should achieve.

Inspectors must be confident and be able to interact in the field with detainees, staff and leaders during an inspection. They must be able to analyse complex information from a range of sources and determine accurate and objective judgements under time pressure. They also need the ability to write up key findings in a clear, concise and evidence-based way. These roles require excellent team players who can support colleagues when working as part of an inspection team but are also able to spend long periods inspecting and working alone.

Most inspections take place over two weeks, so the role of an inspector requires a considerable amount of time working away from home. For example, if you are coordinating an inspection for your team, you might be away for two nights on the first week, and then four or five nights on the following week. This will sometimes include leaving on Sunday afternoon to start work early on a Monday. If you are just attending the full inspection week, rather than coordinating, you will only be required to attend the second week. It is essential that inspectors are very flexible, but the Inspectorate will offer a balanced workload that provides time at home between inspections. Across the year, you are likely to complete on average 18 or 20 weeks away on inspection. When not inspecting, time will be used for report writing, project work and other tasks as required.

Frequent travel within the UK (and possibly abroad) will be required, and you will spend at least one week in three away on inspection, as well as travelling for meetings and other events. You will also need to be available to come to London for internal and external meetings on a regular basis. A preparedness to travel and work away from home is a key requirement of the role.

Responsibilities:

You will:

  • Inspect the conditions and treatment of prisoners and detainees, using HMIP’s own Expectations inspection criteria.
  • Interact with detainees and staff throughout inspections, seeking their views.
  • Work under significant time pressure during inspections.
  • Spend a lot of your time working on your own each day in the custodial environment (you will be trained in jail-craft and carrying keys).
  • Work at speed, interpret complex information and draw accurate and objective conclusions from a range of evidence sources.
  • Draft key findings in a clear, defensible and evidence-based way.
  • Discuss, evaluate and debate findings with the team leader and other team members.
  • Need to be an excellent team player throughout the inspection weeks, Support colleagues and constructively contribute to on-site discussions and judgements.
  • Brief senior managers in the establishment about your developing findings and participate in the debrief at the end of the inspection.
  • Write up your evidence-based findings clearly and concisely the week after an inspection, to tight timescales and wordcounts (and using information technology).
  • Monitor policy and practice in relation to those in custody and help make sure that your team, and the Inspectorate in general keeps up to date on these developments.
  • Attend meetings and conferences, where required, on behalf of the Inspectorate.
  • Assist with policy papers, briefings and thematic reviews as required.

Essential knowledge, experience and skills: 

All candidates will need to have:

 

  • Experience of working with people at senior levels.
  • Experience of developing or influencing policy.
  • An interest in working across the range of custodial environments but mainly in prisons.
  • Experience that demonstrates support for and understanding of the Inspectorate’s work and values.
  • Experience that demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write high-quality evidence-based reports at pace.
  • Sound interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills.
  • The ability to thrive working as part of the inspection team, but also able to spend long periods inspecting and working alone.

You will be working in difficult and challenging environments; The best candidates will offer a combination of the following skills:

 

  • Think in an objective and analytical manner with the ability to analyse a range of oral, written and statistical evidence.
  • Make accurate judgements under pressure and support their findings with evidence.
  • Be committed to continuous improvement, in an environment where performance matters.
  • Adhere to HMIP’s code of conduct and core values at all times.
  • Be flexible, adaptive and creative in solving problems and dealing with change.
  • Be resilient in the field and meet tight deadlines.
  • Deliver difficult messages in a constructive manner.
  • Be able to manage confidently potentially difficult and challenging situations. 
  • Be able to engage constructively with prisoners and other detainees.
  • Be extremely flexible and supportive to colleagues.
  • Work closely with colleagues, custodial staff and detainees throughout inspections.

Desirable:

 

  • Understanding of policy, debates associated with detention and custodial environments.
  • A background in inspection or investigation.

More information:

Why become a prison inspector, please view the below video to gain an insight on current inspector’s experiences. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG9cX1g-k5c

To find out more, listen to the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, and Inspection Team Leader, Hindpal Singh Bhui, discuss how inspection findings lead to action: from real‑time feedback to governors, to published reports that inform ministers, practitioners, the media and families, and help drive scrutiny and improvement across the estate.

https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/our-purpose-process-and-impact/

Additional Information

Completing application

  • Candidates should ensure that all responses are framed against the Grade 7 Success Profile requirements and are supported by evidence demonstrating capability at the required level.

Role Type

  • If you are an existing Civil Servant, you will have the option to apply for this role permanently or on loan (please see loan and policy procedure document for more information).
  •  If you are an external candidate, you can only apply for this role on a permanent basis.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.




Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference - 15624

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Working Together
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Seeing the Big Picture
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please provide a Statement of Suitability (up to 500 words) setting out how your skills, experience and leadership approach make you suitable for this Grade 7 role. Your statement should demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria, using clear, evidence based examples of your work and the impact you have delivered.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected Monday 1st and Thursday 4th June 2026
Behaviours
Working Together
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Seeing the Big Picture

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Written Exercise
Level of security checks required
DBS Enhanced
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.