Former soldiers, sailors and RAF personnel without any qualifications are to be fast-tracked into jobs at Sheppey's three jails in a bid to fill vacancies.

Veterans, and those just leaving the armed services, are being urged to consider becoming a prison officer.

Swaleside, Elmley and Standford Hill open prison, all at Eastchurch, are offering starting salaries of £29,427 for a 39-hour week plus a Civil Service pension as part of the Government's Advance into Justice scheme published in the Veterans' Strategy Action Plan last week.

Ex-armed forces personnel already make up a significant proportion of the prison workforce because their transferable skills include good communication, influencing, commitment to quality and effective decision-making coupled with care and understanding.

Officers help to maintain safety inside while giving prisoners skills and support to live crime-free when they leave. This might be be enrolling in education or substance recovery programmes.

Custodial manager Mick, an armed forces veteran and prison officer at HMP Swaleside said: "I served in the Royal Navy for 20 years and went all over the world. I loved my time in the Forces but it came to the point where I was looking for a career with more stability.

“I had a number of different jobs after I left but I just couldn’t settle down. I finally found the prison service and loved the structure and familiarity it offered me. Seven years later I’m still here and I’ve been quickly promoted thanks to the skills I’d gained in the Forces."

He added: “I truly believe prison officers help to change lives and that is really rewarding. Veterans are used to dealing with people all the time. We know how to communicate and that’s what you need to do well in this role. The teamwork is great. We are like family.”

The fast-track scheme is open to those who have left the services within the past five years and are not already in full-time work.

A spokesman for the Prison and Probation Service said: "We believe personal qualities are more important than qualifications."

Officers can specialise in working with vulnerable prisoners, becoming a dog handler or training as a physical education instructor. The offer includes home-to-work travel costs of up to £8,000 for the first two years or a relocation package of up to £12,000, depending on the applicant’s location.

Applications close on Thursday, February 17. Apply here