HMP Inverness is located in the Crown area of Inverness, just a five-minute walk from the city centre.
Opened in 1902, it is one of Scotland’s smallest and oldest prisons, with a strong community focus. The establishment serves courts across the Highlands, Islands and Moray — a wide and diverse catchment area covering both rural and urban communities.
The prison has a design capacity of 93 but currently accommodates an average of 117 people in custody.
A brand-new establishment, HMP Highland, is currently under construction at Eastfield Way, Inverness.
HMP Highland will:
This represents an exciting new chapter for both staff and those in our care.
As a Prison Officer in Inverness, you’ll be joining a dynamic and supportive team committed to making a difference — both to the lives of those in custody and to the wider community.
No two days are ever the same, and you’ll constantly be learning and developing new skills.
We employ around 100 Prison Officers across three core functions: Operations, Residential, and Offender Outcomes.
We understand that many recruits will never have worked in a prison environment before, so we provide structured training and support from day one.
When you join the organisation you'll undertake an Officer Foundation Programme, which will involve both practical and theoretical learning to prepare you for the role. If you are joining us as an Operations Officer, you'll also be required to undertake SVQs which you'll be supported to complete.
On your return to HMP Inverness, you’ll benefit from:
At the SPS, we know that our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we provide a wide range of progression and development opportunities.
Many of our Governors began their careers as Prison Officers, and internal promotion opportunities are regularly advertised. The operational staffing structure provides a clear pathway from Officer right through to Governor in Charge.
We also offer many lateral opportunities for our staff too. As a Prison Officer, there are opportunities to specialise in the delivery of specific programmes or purposeful activity for those in our care. We have Offender Outcomes specialists that work in key areas such as; Physical Education, Catering, Life Skills, Industrial Cleaning and Delivering Programmes... to name a few!
This variety allows you to build a career that matches both your skills and your interests.
Read through our candidate pack specific to HMP Highland, detailing the SPS Mission, Values and the Opportunities we offer. As well as all of the additional benefits and how to contact us if you have any queries!
What did you do before joining the Scottish Prison Service?
I worked in social work for 11 years prior to joining the SPS; I had several clients where I was responsible for supporting children and families with a wide range of challenges such as education engagement, parenting, mental health, fitness and wellbeing, mentoring/advocating for families and general positive life skill decisions.
What skills did you learn in that role which are relevant to the Prison Officer role?
Working in this role gave me insight into the hardships and challenges that families and individuals can go through, helping me to have an empathetic view towards different situations.
This skill has been invaluable in helping to develop me into a professional and understanding Prison Officer, as well as having an exposure to mental health issues which is very prevalent with the people in our care within the prison service.
In my previous role I was exposed to a variety of different situations and was responsible for supporting individuals in gaining the skills required to make positive decisions in their lives. This enabled me to remain calm under pressure and make informed decisions in difficult situations; a vital skill required to help you deal with day-to-day life working in the Prison service.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for a Prison Officer role within Inverness?
A prison is a unique environment to work in and is a very rewarding career. You will go through extensive training which will help you gain a positive standing point at the beginning of your career, exposing you to the practical side of the job, as well as learning the theory behind the roles to support you with the legalities, processes and procedures. The confidence you gain in this line of work can help you open doors to unlimited development opportunities within the organisation.
What did you do before joining the Scottish Prison Service?
I was working in hospitality for hotel chains. In my last role I was a Deputy Manager, responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing staff, ensuring guest satisfaction and maintaining high standards.
What skills did you learn in that role which are relevant to the Prison Officer role?
I found working in hospitality similar to working in a prison environment in certain aspects. You are faced with dealing with many requests and challenges at the same time, from polite conversations to a big complaint. You require to be a good listener and be able to set realistic expectations, whilst remaining professional. As well as being flexible, adaptable, remaining calm and thinking on your feet.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for a Prison Officer role within Inverness?
Be honest, open-minded and be a team player. There are procedures and routines to be followed, and this job can be challenging at times, but equally rewarding. SPS offers many opportunities to progress, if you wish to build a career.
What is the best thing about working in Inverness?
The best thing is the team spirit and camaraderie. We support each other whether you have a good day or bad day, not only colleagues but the management too.
What is the most rewarding part of your role as a Residential Officer?
Every day is different. As a Residential Officer, I spend most of my shifts working directly with prison population. Through day-to-day interaction, I listen to the stories of those in our care, learn more about their struggles and sometimes a simple question of ‘How are you?’ can change someone’s day - or when the individual comes to you and says: ‘I did try what you suggested, and it works!”, that is the moment which I personally find rewarding.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
I have been a Catering Officer for the past 10 years; the most rewarding part of my role is seeing the positive impact that food and structure can have on the lives of those in our care. The kitchen is more than just a place where meals are prepared, it is a space where people learn valuable life and job skills, build confidence, as well as develop a sense of responsibility and engage in teamwork.
As part of the Catering Officers role we mentor and support those in our care as they work, allowing them to learn new skills is very fulfilling. On the daily, ensuring everyone receives nutritious, well prepared meals also contributes to the overall wellbeing and stability of the prison environment and that is something I take pride in.
What is the best thing about working in HMP Inverness?
The best thing about working at HMP Inverness is the strong sense of community and purpose. It’s a small establishment, which means you get to know your colleagues and those in our care well. There is a genuine team spirit and a shared commitment to making a difference.
Working in the kitchens, I value the opportunity to work with individuals who are trying to turn their lives around. Being part of their journey, whether it's helping them gain skills, build confidence, or simply learn to work as part of a team. There is a sense of what you do matters to the people you interact with.
What skills do you think make a good prison officer?
A good prison officer, no matter their role, requires a balance of strong interpersonal skills, resilience and sound judgement. Communication is key, being able to engage in active listening, de-escalate situations and build respectful relationships. Situational awareness and the ability to stay calm under pressure are also vital.
As a First Line Manager (FLM), what skills do you think would make someone a good Operations Officer?
An important attribute to bring to the role is having a willingness to learn the job; the role of the Operations Officer is varied, and individuals will need to be flexible in their approach, have good communication skills, which will allow them to develop positive relationships with their peers. Positive relationships develop teams, and we work far better together than as a group of individuals.
What development have you received working in Inverness?
I started in Inverness in January 2002; I completed my SVQ’s within my probation year. I then developed myself as an Operations Officer over the next few years, on various occasions acting up to Residential Officer. I gained promotion in 2006 to Residential Officer, where I carried out various roles within the residential function over the years, working with every class of individual within the Scottish Prison Service; this allowed me the experience to apply for a secondment to Police Scotland where I was part of a multi-Agency team tasked with supporting individuals within our care in the community.
I was given the opportunity to act up to Operations FLM, which I did for a period of 6 months gaining valuable experience. Following this period, I was then redeployed to develop the introduction of a recovery wing within HMP Inverness utilising the skills and contacts I had developed during my time on Secondment.
I was then promoted into the role of First Line Manager and since becoming substantive in the role, I have completed my ILM Qualification, and I am currently training to become an SVQ Assessor.
What is the best part about being a First Line Manager (FLM)?
I find the First Line Manager role particularly rewarding as I can directly support and develop new Operations Officers as they set out in their new careers within the SPS. I can also support, develop and encourage experienced staff fulfil their ambitions, I feel it is important to develop good team structure, and this starts from the moment a new officer embarks on their new career. The building of a strong team ethic can only strengthen the staffing group, and this directly benefits the establishment as we move forward into HMP Highland.