Prison officer unsocial hours and ACH
Most of the difference between a prison officer’s base pay and what they are actually paid comes from unsocial hours and committed hours. Here is how they work.
Unsocial working hours
Instead of being paid shift by shift, Bands 3 to 5 get a flat 20% of base pay for working unsocial hours. Band 2 OSGs get 25%. It is paid every month, including on leave, and it is pensionable. For a new officer it adds £5,821 a year.
Additional Committed Hours (ACH and ACHP)
The standard week is 37 hours. You can contract to work 39 or 41 hours, and the extra hours are called Additional Committed Hours. The first two (38 and 39) are usually pensionable, known as ACHP. Hours 40 and 41 are not.
| New Band 3, national | Gross | Pensionable | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 hours | £34,928 | £34,928 | £2,282 |
| 39 hours | £36,816 | £36,816 | £2,369 |
| 41 hours | £39,334 | £36,816 | £2,520 |
Going from 37 to 39 hours also takes you over the £36,199 alpha threshold, so your whole pay is charged at 5.45% instead of 4.6%. You still take home more, but less than the headline rise.
Common questions
Is unsocial hours pay pensionable for prison officers?
Yes. The 20% unsocial hours allowance counts as pensionable pay.
What is the difference between ACH and ACHP?
Both are contracted hours above 37 a week. ACHP is pensionable and ACH is not.