Prison Instructor

Job Description:

Prison instructors teach prisoners new skills to help them find work after their release.

Job Category:
Education

What you will do:

In your day-to-day duties, you could:

  • act as a role model for prisoners
  • introduce new prisoners to the workshop health and safety rules
  • update prisoners’ learning and attendance records
  • support prisoners working towards qualifications
  • monitor discipline and behaviour
  • search prisoners using ‘rub down” or “pat down” method
  • keep the workshop area and tools safe and in working order
  • maintain stocks of equipment and materials

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • the ability to teach learners how to do something
  • the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things (creativity)
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
  • to be flexible and open to change (adaptability skills)
  • excellent verbal communication skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course

College

You’ll need, or be prepared to work towards a vocational qualification in your subject area or trade.

You may find it useful to do qualifications in assessment.

Further information

You can find out more about working  and about specialist production instructor roles in:

  • engineering
  • waste management
  • textiles
  • horticulture

Working Hours and Environment:

A typical week consists of 37-39 hours of work. You could be required to work between 8am and 6pm.

You could work in a prison. Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and physically and emotionally demanding.

Career Path & Progression:

You could move up to industries manager or other management roles within the prison service.

You could change to other areas of training or instructing.