Selection Process

We are careful about the way in which we process applications for the role of Prison Officer. Below, you'll see an outline of how the selection process works.

Receipt of applications

If you meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements, your application will be acknowledged as soon as you submit it.

Prison Officer Selection Test (POST) – on-line version

You will be sent an electronic on-line version of the Prison Officer Selection Test (POST) for your completion. This stage of the POST consists of numerical tests, comprising of a number of work sample exercises. You won't, however, require any prior knowledge of prison work in order to undertake the test. If successful at the POST stage, you'll be invited to attend the Recruitment Assessment Day. Click here for further information on the Selection Test

Sift stage

A check will be made on your application to ensure you meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

Recruitment Assessment Day (RAD)

The Recruitment Assessment Day has been designed to test several elements that are needed in the Prison Officer role - these include;

POST Numeracy Test – You will be required to complete a shorter version of the on-line numeracy test during your assessment day.
The Language POST test – the second element of your POST which is a language based test which will include some observational skill questions
4 role play simulations – 4 four role-play simulations, each lasting a maximum of ten minutes. The role-play simulations are all non-prison based, however they are similar to situations you could face as a Prison Officer.
A structured interview – The interview will be based on one of your completed role-play simulations and will seek to support and clarify the core behaviours being assessed.
Medical – Prison Officers need to be reasonably physically fit. In addition, they need to meet a minimum eyesight standard in both eyes, either unaided or with spectacles / contact lenses of Snellen 6/12 and have a good standard of health. You will be assessed for your suitability to undertake the fitness test, during your assessment day.
The Fitness Test – Eligible candidates will take their fitness test during the assessment day, the test comprises of five parts:
- Grip strength test x 2
- Multi-stage fitness test
- Dynamic strength test
- Speed agility run test.
Click here for further informatin on how you can prepare yourself to pass these tests with ease.

Appointment stage

If you successfully pass the Recruitment Assessment Day, Medical and Fitness Test you'll be offered an appointment subject to satisfactory completion of pre-appointment checks into health, identity, nationality and character, including a criminal record check. If your position involves contact with children under 18 years of age it will be subject to an enhanced disclosure being obtained from the Criminal Records Bureau. On average these checks take 4-6 weeks to complete. Upon completion, you'll be formally offered an appointment, and a start date will be confirmed. If you're not offered an appointment immediately, you may be placed on a reserve list and notified accordingly. A reserve list is retained for a period of twelve months to cover future vacancies that may arise