Library Assistant HMP Belmarsh - GLL - Greenwich

Based: South East London

This isn’t a typical Library Assistant role. And this isn’t a typical library. Belmarsh Prison is a high-security prison that houses 900 male inmates including some of the most high-profile and dangerous prisoners in the country. It also serves as a local prison for cases from Woolwich Crown Court. The library has 700 members and holds around 15,000 books in 54 different languages. Approximately 1,000 inmates use the library each month and it’s an essential resource for the prisoners who are expected to visit for at least 30 minutes each week.

Prisoners use our library for a number of reasons. We have a vast selection of legal books and papers that our prisoners use to help them understand their sentences as well as the standard books that you’d find in a public library. We have a heavy focus on education as many of the inmates have literacy problems or just want to learn something new such as a second language, but whatever the reason, the books are a welcome diversion from prison life. As Senior Library Assistant, you will have to do the usual tasks associated with the role, such as providing an information service to our users, ordering books and arranging author days, but due to the unique location of the library, there is far more to this role than expected. As we place an emphasis on education, we’re inspected and regulated by Ofsted, so there will be a lot of report writing and administration involved to help us to review and maintain our standards.

Although challenging, this is a highly-rewarding role where you’ll get to see the inmates change and grow from the services and support that you’d provide alongside other departments such as Healthcare and Resettlement. This isn’t a role for the timid, as you’ll need to maintain control and gravitas at all times as well as being vigilant. A can-do attitude is a must, as is common sense, as you’ll do everything from assessing the suitability of the books that the prisoners request, to ensuring that all doors are locked behind you whenever you move about the building as well as some heavy lifting.

You’ll have previous experience of working in a Library, with a mature demeanour and passion for helping others and we’ll offer all the training and support that you’ll need to thrive in this demanding yet fulfilling environment.