Psychologist

Psychologists within HM Prison Service
Psychological services have been part of the Prison Service for over fifty years.

England and Wales are divided into eleven areas and each has an area psychologist. These area psychologists have responsibility to take forward the delivery of psychological services within their area. Additionally, in the Prison Service, high security prisons have their own area psychologist.

From time to time HM Prison Service Psychological Services will seek to recruit qualified or in-training psychologists in appropriate applied psychology specialisms. Vacancies are listed on the HM Prison Service website with qualified posts also often included in the vacancy pages of ‘The Psychologist'.

Eligibility requirements

If you are interested in a psychology career with the Prison Service you will need to meet minimum eligibility requirements in addition to specific psychology requirements.

Qualifications

For Trainee Forensic Psychologists:

You must be in possession of Graduate Basis for Registration (documentation needs to be produced to evidence this in the form of a letter from the British Psychology Society or the conferring University stating that your degree confers Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society).

For Psychological Assistants:

For some posts candidates are required to hold the following minimum educational requirements:

• 5 GCE/GCSE passes (grade A* - C) must include English Language and Mathematics or equivalent.

It is also desirable to have knowledge of computers and statistics.

More senior posts:

From time to time we also recruit at a more senior level. To be eligible for these posts you will need to be chartered in an applied discipline; namely forensic, health, clinical, educational, occupational or counselling. Although the majority of psychologists employed by the Prison Service are forensic, other applied disciplines are also recruited from time to time.