Prison Library Assistant

Do you have a passion for reading, literacy, information and customer service? Are you looking for a unique and inspiring role? The Prison/custodial environment can be both challenging and rewarding. We see our library roles as a vocation; you’ll be part of a community of partners, providing a much‑needed service to our library users. The library is crucial in supporting the wellbeing of those in prison and helps to promote positive behaviours in those users.

So, the work you’ll do will have a real impact on people’s lives and the community.

HMP Drake Hall is a category C Women’s prison which has a team of 2 Library assistants led by the Library Supervisor. The library is a well‑used and valued resource within the prison and is currently open daily Monday to Wednesday. Prison Library staff offer both outreach/wing‑based and main library, service provision, supporting all prisoners with access to books, information and resources.

This 6‑hour part‑time pro‑rated post normally operates on a Wednesday (am and pm). Shift patterns can be subject to change, including if the prison regime changes in the future. Candidates should consider the location, travel/distance and the demands of the role and environment before applying.

• Provide and develop an essential service, encouraging and promoting creativity, literacy and reading for pleasure and learning.
• Actively engage with customers to support them in using their library space, service and resources for their personal and professional development and benefit both short and long term.
• Link with public libraries and other external partners to facilitate access to information and resources for prisoners.

• A positive and proactive person, with great face‑to‑face customer service skills and work experience, and a love of reading.
• Confident and calm, with integrity and a strong work ethic.
• Capable of working efficiently individually and as part of a team; both the onsite library and prison team and within the SCC Library Service.
• Resilient, adapting well and positively to change, and a strategic and imaginative thinker.
• Eager to help, support and engage with customers and colleagues, and keen to learn and develop.
• Available and flexible to cover colleagues outside the set core shifts of this post.
• Happy and able to travel and hold a current valid UK driver’s licence.

You can contact Sarah Cripps at sarah for any specific questions that are not covered in the job ad or documents.

We will be holding in‑person interviews in the prison on a set date to be confirmed to those invited. Interviews are scheduled to take place 16th December.

This position is subject to a criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service which will require disclosure of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form. Vetting and checks including employment reference checks will be undertaken by the Prison/HMPPS and Staffordshire County Council.

Our Recruitment Process:
We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer.