London Prison Officer Pay
+£3,432 / +£5,218
Outer and Inner London differentials, effective 1 April 2026
Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
Band 3 Prison Officer — National vs London (1 April 2026)
| Contract | National | Outer London | Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 hours base — pay point 1 | £29,107 | £32,367 | £34,063 |
| 37 hours + unsocial — pay point 1 | £34,928 | £38,840 | £40,876 |
| 37 hours + unsocial — pay point 3 | £36,778 | £40,896 | £43,039 |
| 39 hours (2× ACH) — pay point 3 | £39,097 | £43,475 | £45,753 |
| 41 hours (4× ACH) — pay point 3 | £41,417 | £46,054 | £48,468 |
HMPPS pays a London differential rather than a percentage weighting. From 1 April 2026 it is £5,218 for Inner London and £3,432 for Outer London, added to the band maximum, with the other pay points scaled in proportion.
Inner London covers Brixton, Pentonville, Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs and Westminster headquarters. Outer London covers Belmarsh, Downview, Feltham, High Down, Isis, and the controllers' offices at Bronzefield and Thameside.
For a Band 3 officer with unsocial hours, that is the difference between £34,928 nationally and £40,876 in Inner London at pay point 1 — about £2,597 a month take-home against £2,282. At the top of the band it reaches £43,039, or roughly £2,719 a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which prisons are Inner London?
Brixton, Pentonville, Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs and Westminster headquarters are Inner London. Outer London covers Belmarsh, Downview, Feltham, High Down, Isis, and the controllers' offices at Bronzefield and Thameside.
How much extra do London prison officers get?
The differential is £5,218 for Inner London and £3,432 for Outer London from 1 April 2026, applied to the band maximum with other pay points scaled proportionally. A Band 3 officer at pay point 1 with unsocial hours earns £34,928 nationally, £38,840 in Outer London and £40,876 in Inner London.
Is London prison pay pensionable?
Yes. The London differential is built into the published pay scale rather than paid as a separate allowance, so it is part of your pensionable pay and can affect which alpha contribution tier you fall into.
Does the London rate apply to all bands?
Yes. Every Fair & Sustainable band from Band 2 through Band 12 has its own National, Outer London and Inner London scale.