Prison officer application process

Applying to be a prison officer in England and Wales takes 6 to 7 months on average from submitting the form to your first day, according to the Prison and Probation Jobs site run by HM Prison and Probation Service. There are two online tests, an online assessment centre of about 2 hours 30 minutes, pre-employment checks, and a medical and fitness test once you have a provisional offer. No qualifications are needed.

Before you apply

You must be at least 18 when you start and have the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service nationality rules. The Civil Service nationality rules guide explains who qualifies. For category A high security prisons you must have lived in the UK for the 3 years immediately before you apply.

Visible tattoos are allowed unless they are offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable, except for cultural, religious or medical reasons. You pay your own travel and relocation costs and need to arrange housing before you start, and some shifts start or finish around 7am.

Stage 1: the online application and scenario test

The application form takes about 10 minutes and asks eligibility questions. You need your National Insurance number. You can ask for a reasonable adjustment on the form by answering “yes” to the question. You can also opt in to be considered for an operational support grade role at the same time.

If no vacancy is open, you can apply to the First Time Prison Officer Recruitment Scheme, where you work away from home for your first 23 months, or register your interest.

The scenario-based test follows. It takes around 25 to 40 minutes and checks numeracy and behaviours. A practice test is available and recruiters do not see the results. It works like the tests described in our guide to situational judgement tests.

Stage 2: the values-based assessment

Passing the first test leads to the values-based assessment. It takes up to 20 minutes in one sitting and has no time limit, but you must finish by the deadline in your invitation email. It covers three behaviours (communicating and influencing, managing a quality service, making effective decisions), plus caring, one technical area and one strength. Example questions are published beforehand, so use them.

Stage 3: the online assessment centre

The assessment centre takes about 2 hours 30 minutes and needs a laptop with a webcam. It has three parts: an interview, a role play and a written test. If you apply to a women’s prison you also complete a written assessment with three behaviour-based questions. Results come within 3 working days.

The STAR method suits the interview part, and the video interview guide covers the technical side.

Pre-employment checks and your place on the list

Checks only start once a position is available. They cover security, identity, past employment and health, and take 8 to 10 weeks. High security prisons also need HMPPS Enhanced Level 2 vetting and a Counter-terrorism check. Our guide to pre-employment checks covers the usual sequence.

How you are placed depends on the vacancy type:

Vacancy type	What happens
Pass	You are allocated to the next available vacancy, or join a merit list if none is open. A pass is valid for 12 months.
Merit	Places are offered in order of assessment performance. You can stay on the merit list for 12 months, then you must reapply.

Medical and fitness tests

After a provisional offer you attend a UK-based centre. Overseas assessments are not available. The medical covers an eye test, a hearing test and basic health screening including blood pressure. The fitness part is a bleep test (shuttle run) for endurance and agility, and a strength test that involves holding a 7kg riot shield and gripping equipment. You can claim back UK travel costs of up to £100.

Declare pre-existing physical or mental health conditions. Adjustments may be recommended where appropriate.

Offer, start date and pay

Once the checks and medical and fitness tests are passed, the recruitment team calls you to discuss your start and training dates. The role page gives a starting salary of £37k to £43k for a 39 hour week, with band 3 figures that depend on location (£36,816 outside London and the south, up to £43,453 in inner London, including a 20% unsocial hours allowance). You start on a 37 hour contract until initial training ends, then choose 39 or 41 hours. The prison officer profile has the day-to-day detail, and the take-home pay calculator shows what a figure in that range pays after tax.