Join us as a 

Prison Chaplain

Help people find hope, guidance and compassionate support 

Working as a prison chaplain is about being there for people when they need someone to listen. 

As part of our Faith Services team, you'll provide pastoral care, emotional support and opportunities for reflection to people in prison from a wide range of backgrounds, faiths, beliefs and life experiences. You'll also support colleagues across the prison, helping to create to a safe, respectful and rehabilitative environment. 

Whether you're leading faith-based services and activities, offering one-to-one pastoral support or simply listening without judgement, every conversation has the potential to inspire hope, encourage positive change and make a lasting difference.

A job built on compassion, where every day is different. 

You might spend time supporting someone through a difficult moment, leading a faith gathering, working alongside prison staff to support an individual's wellbeing, or helping someone prepare for life beyond custody. 

Chaplaincy is about building trust, encouraging hope and treating every person with dignity and respect, regardless of their faith, beliefs or circumstances. 

It's a role that combines empathy, professionalism and resilience, where your presence can have a lasting impact.

About the role

Working as a prison chaplain is about much more than leading worship or faith activities. 

You'll provide confidential pastoral care, emotional support and guidance to people in prison throughout their journey, helping them navigate some of the most challenging moments of their lives. 

You'll also work alongside Prison Officers, Healthcare, Psychological Services and other specialist teams to support wellbeing, rehabilitation and a positive prison culture. 

As a chaplain, you could: 
  • Deliver worship, prayer and faith-based activities appropriate to your faith tradition  
  • Provide confidential one-to-one pastoral care and emotional support  
  • Support people during bereavement, family difficulties and significant life events  
  • Work alongside Prison Officers, Healthcare, Psychological Services and other specialist teams  
  • Encourage rehabilitation through positive relationships and personal growth  
  • Help maintain links with appropriate faith communities  
  • Contribute to an inclusive, respectful prison environment  
  • Support colleagues when they need pastoral guidance

Our Faith Services teams reflect the diverse communities we serve. 

Depending on the establishment, our teams may include colleagues representing a range of faith traditions, including: 
  • Anglican  
  • Buddhist  
  • Hindu  
  • Humanist 
  • Jewish 
  • Pagan 
  • Rastafarian 
  • Roman Catholic  
  • Muslim (Imam)  
  • Sikh  

We also recognise and respect people with other beliefs or no faith, ensuring everyone has access to compassionate pastoral support. 

Whatever your own faith tradition, you'll work collaboratively with colleagues from different backgrounds to provide inclusive support for everyone within the prison community.


We're looking for people who are compassionate, emotionally resilient and able to build trusting relationships with people from all walks of life. 

You'll be a great fit if you: 
  • Have empathy and compassion for others  
  • Treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect  
  • Communicate with sensitivity while maintaining professional boundaries  
  • Remain calm and resilient in challenging situations  
  • Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team  
  • Demonstrate integrity, professionalism and sound judgement 

Depending on the role, you'll also need to: 
  • Be endorsed or authorised by your recognised faith community where required  
  • Be able to lead worship, faith-based activities and provide pastoral support in line with your faith tradition  
  • Respect and support people of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds 

You don't need previous prison experience. Many of our chaplains join us from places of worship, community organisations, healthcare, education and other pastoral roles. We'll provide the training and ongoing support you need to understand the prison environment and thrive in your role.

From day one, you'll receive the training, guidance and support you need to work confidently within a prison environment. 

Alongside your role-specific induction, you'll learn about prison operations, security, safeguarding and how to work safely and effectively within a custodial setting. You'll also gain an understanding of the important role chaplaincy plays in supporting wellbeing, rehabilitation and the wider prison community. 

As your career develops, you'll continue developing your pastoral practice through ongoing learning and professional development opportunities. 

A place you can make an impact 

As a chaplain, you'll support people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Whether you're offering a listening ear, providing pastoral care or helping someone find hope and purpose, your work can play an important part in their rehabilitation journey. 

Every conversation has the potential to make a meaningful difference - not only to the people you support, but to the wider prison community.

A place you can count on 

Working in a prison environment can be both rewarding and emotionally demanding. That's why you'll be supported by experienced colleagues, a collaborative Faith Services team and managers who are committed to your wellbeing and success. 

Alongside practical support, you'll have access to a wide range of wellbeing resources, employee networks and benefits designed to help you thrive both inside and outside work.

A place for you 

You'll join an inclusive workplace where your faith, background and perspective are valued. 

Working alongside colleagues from a wide range of faiths, beliefs and experiences, you'll be part of a team united by a shared commitment to compassion, dignity and respect. 

With supportive colleagues, employee networks and opportunities to learn and develop, you'll find a place where you can belong and build a rewarding career. 

Why join Serco?

Alongside a rewarding career, you'll benefit from: 
  • Competitive salary 
  • Pension scheme 
  • Annual leave entitlement, plus Annual Leave Purchase Scheme (if eligible) 
  • Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service 
  • Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel 
  • Learning and development opportunities, with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression 
  • An inclusive culture supported by employee networks that champion veterans, LGBTQIA+ colleagues, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and colleagues from all cultural backgrounds 

FAQs

Not at all, many people join us from places of worship, community organisations, healthcare, education or other pastoral roles. We'll provide the training you need to understand the prison environment. 

Roles are recruited for in line with the needs of each prison's Faith Services team. Some vacancies require applicants to represent a specific faith tradition and hold the appropriate endorsement or authorisation from their recognised faith community. 

While you may lead activities specific to your own faith tradition, you'll work as part of a multi-faith team that provides compassionate pastoral support for everyone, regardless of their faith, beliefs or background. 

No. A significant part of the role involves pastoral care, emotional support, listening and helping individuals through challenging situations, alongside working with colleagues across the prison. 

Chaplaincy offers opportunities to develop your experience within custodial environments, take on wider responsibilities and contribute to rehabilitation and wellbeing across Serco's Justice and Immigration business. 

Find your place in prison chaplaincy 

Every conversation matters. Every act of compassion can help someone move forward. 

If you're looking for a role where your faith, empathy and professionalism can make a meaningful difference, we'd love to hear from you. 
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