As a specialist prison officer role, physical education instructor (PEIs) play an important part in delivering purposeful activity for prisoners, as well as promoting fitness and wellbeing opportunities for staff.
Working as a PEI in a prison requires discipline, a passion for physical and mental fitness and a keen interest in developing others. As it does in the military, sport and maintaining a healthy level of physical and mental fitness plays a vital role in:
building positive relationships
promoting teamwork
and for serving as an outlet for stress and frustration
As a PEI, you will be joining a relatively small, yet highly valued team, in a role full of opportunity, purpose and reward.
After completing a minimum of 12 months’ training and working as a prison officer, you will have the opportunity to attend pre-selection to become a PEI.
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
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.
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.
