Custodial care is part of the justice sector, which is represented by Skills for Justice Sector Skills Council. It includes: police and law enforcement; prosecution service; courts and tribunals; forensic science; community justice; plus fire and rescue services. The UK justice sector works to create and maintain a safe, just and stable society. The purpose of the sector is to reduce crime and re‐offending, promote confidence in the criminal justice system, protect people and contribute to the reduction and fear of crime, and support the administration of justice. The sector employs around 600,000 employees in the UK across a range of organisations operating with different remits.
The main functions of the custodial care strand within the UK justice sector are:
- holding adult and young prisoners securely
- reducing the risk of prisoners re‐offending providing custody and escort services
- monitoring offenders in the community (e.g. via electronic tagging)
The majority of prisons in the UK are operated by public sector Prison Services (Her Majesty’s, Scottish, and Northern Ireland Prison Services). Public sector custodial care organisations include: HM Prison Service; Military Corrective Training Centre; Scottish Prison Service; Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Key facts:
- There are 77,595 people working in custodial care.
- 84% of the workforce is located in England.
- Public sector organisations make up the majority of custodial care employers, employing over 86% of the workforce.
- 73% of custodial care establishments are in the public sector.
- Women across the justice sector as a whole tend to be concentrated in support roles.
Jobs in the industry range from: Prison Officer, Instructional Officer, Senior Officer, Operational staff, Psychologist.
National and regional data
The East Midlands has 15 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 4,730 full‐time equivalent staff. In addition, there is one private prison.
The East of England has 13 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 4,440 full‐time equivalent staff. In addition, there are 3 privately operated prisons.
London has 7 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 6,040 full‐time equivalent staff. In addition, there are 3 privately operated prisons.
The North East has 8 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 3,490 full‐time equivalent staff. There is also 1 privately operated prison.
The North West has 14 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 5,920 full‐time equivalent staff. In addition, there is one privately operated prison.
The South East has 28 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 7,600 full‐time equivalent staff. In addition, there is one private prison.
The South West has 14 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 3,500 full‐time equivalent staff. In addition, there is one private prison.
The West Midlands has 13 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 5,260 full‐time equivalent staff.
Yorkshire and Humberside has 13 prisons operated by HM Prison Service, which employ approximately 5,520 full‐time equivalent staff.
In Northern Ireland, 2,145 staff are employed in the Northern Ireland Prison Service across three prisons. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has introduced two new grades: Prison Custody Officers; and Officer Support Grades. It is expected there will be an expected 200 people entering these new grades. The Sentencing Framework Review could have major skills needs implications, depending upon its outcomes. Basic skills gaps identified in the workforce include: literacy; numeracy; and ICT skills.
In Scotland, 4,869 staff are employed across both the private and public sector. All of the prisons in Scotland, with the exception of two that are privately run, are operated by the Scottish Prison Service. Future workforce development needs include: increased partnership working and partnership working skills; keeping up with legislative change; and ICT and soft skills relating to communications.
The HM Prison Service employs 1,230 staff in Wales. The majority of prisons in Wales are operated by HM Prison Service, although the Office of Contracted Prisons (within the Home Office) contracts with the private sector for the design, build, management and finance of private prisons.
