Operational Support Grade salary 2026/27
Pay and take-home for Operational Support Grades (Band 2) in HMPPS prisons from April 2026.
OSG pay
Band 2 has a single spot rate of £25,409 for 37 hours nationally. OSGs get a 25% unsocial hours allowance, higher than the 20% for officers, which takes total pay to £31,761. After tax, NI and pension that is about £2,102 a month.
In inner London the base rate is £30,627, or £38,284 with the allowance, about £2,451 a month.
The review body kept the 25% rate for Band 2 until its 2027 report while unsocial hours are looked at again. Band 2 pay also has to stay above the National Living Wage, which is why it rose by more than 3.5% this year.
What an OSG does
Operational Support Grades keep the prison moving behind the scenes. You help with security and the daily routine, but you are not responsible for supervising prisoners on a wing the way an officer is. How much contact you have with prisoners depends on the prison and the post.
Typical duties
- Gate: controlling who and what comes in and out, and searching staff, visitors and vehicles.
- Control room: running the radio net and watching CCTV.
- Visits: welcoming and searching visitors and supervising the visits hall.
- Reception: processing new arrivals, photographing them and handling their property.
- Mail: logging post and spotting items soaked in drugs or other contraband.
- Patrols: checking the perimeter fence, escorting contractors and checking their tools.
- Nights: on night shifts, making sure cells are locked and every prisoner is accounted for.
- Driving: some prisons need OSGs to drive, so a full licence is required there.
Hours
Most OSGs work a changing rota that averages 37 hours a week, including weekends and some public holidays. That is why OSGs get a 25% unsocial hours allowance. Part-time and night-only posts are available at some prisons.
How to become an OSG
No qualifications or experience are needed. The process is an online assessment of how you behave and make decisions, followed by an interview, then medical and security checks. If you are unsuccessful, you have to wait six months before applying for another OSG post.
Where it can lead
Many prison officers started as OSGs. You learn how a prison works, which helps when you apply for Band 3 officer posts. OSGs can also move into stores, admin or security support roles.
Common questions
What does an OSG do in a prison?
Gate and security duties, the control room, visits, reception, mail checks, perimeter patrols and night duties. OSGs support officers but do not run a wing.
Do you need qualifications to be an OSG?
No. You need to pass the online assessment, an interview and pre-employment checks. Some prisons also ask for a full driving licence.
How much does an OSG earn?
£25,409 base for 37 hours, or £31,761 with the 25% unsocial hours allowance, nationally from April 2026.
Is OSG a good route to becoming a prison officer?
Many officers start as OSGs. You get to know the prison, and can apply for Band 3 roles when they come up.