Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on Prison Officer and Youth Justice Worker recruitment – update Tuesday 7th April.
HMPPS recruitment has to be safe and we all have a duty to stay at home and away from others, where possible. In line with government policy, we have made a decision to temporarily stop taking applications and close assessment centres.
We would encourage anyone thinking about starting their career with us to register your interest for a Prison Officer role.
If you have already started your application, we will be in touch with you and keep you up to date. Our expectation is to reopen our centres as soon as it is safe to do so.
For more information on prison officer and youth justice worker recruitment, please read our Frequently Asked Questions below. These will be kept up to date with the latest information
Is the prison service continuing to recruit?
We are currently unable to accept new applications but would encourage anyone thinking about starting their career with us as a Prison Officer to register your interest, so that we can contact you as soon as applications reopen.
I am currently on a merit list will this be extended in light of the current situation?
For those candidates that are currently on a reserve/merit list which is due to expire prior to 30th September 2020, we have received dispensation to extend ARC accreditation to 31st December 2020. Should a role become available during this time we will contact you to discuss further.
When will I be able to attend my assessment?
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and in response to the latest government advice. Please be assured that we are working hard to ensure that we are able to resume assessments as soon as it is safe to do so.
Regrettably we cannot advise of a specific date at this time as this will depend on the progress of COVID-19 and Government advice. We will look to provide you with an alternative date as soon as it is safe to do so. Please bear with us at this unprecedented time.
I have accepted a formal offer but I am waiting for my vetting
We intend to continue with your pre-employment checks, so that we can welcome you on board at the earliest possible opportunity once our training resumes.
I am due to start my training, is that going ahead?
Unfortunately due to the unprecedented situation of COVID-19 all HMPPS face to face training has now been postponed.
Your start date will remain as the one on your contract and you should wait to hear from your establishment regarding the need for you to report for duty. It is likely that you will be asked to report to your prison and asked to complete operational support duties for the foreseeable future. If you are self-isolating or have COVID-19 symptoms on, or before, your start date, please contact your establishment and let them know this is the case. If you haven’t heard from your prison before your start date, please do make contact with them and ask to speak to the People Hub.
We will be in contact in due course to rearrange your training.
