Important Notice
From 4 April 2024, the Government will be increasing the salary threshold for Skilled Workers. The changes, which can be found here, mean that we cannot guarantee sponsorship in the future. Prison officer applicants must consider options for obtaining and/or maintaining right to work in the United Kingdom.
The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service.
Welcome
Welcome to the HMPPS prison officer application information centre. We will provide you with information to complete your application and detail the stages of what to expect on your journey to becoming a prison officer.
This is the official and only place to get the most up to date information to help you prepare for your prison officer online assessment centre. Please take the time to explore this site to support you throughout your application.
You will now have received an invitation to book onto your online assessment centre, after successfully passing the online test. Please note that you may be invited to attend a specific online assessment centre depending on your individual requirements for example if you have any reasonable adjustments or have applied to certain vacancies.
"As a former prison officer, I am so very proud of the great work that our staff carry out each day to help our prisoners stabilise and improve their lives. HMPPS is a fantastic department to work for and as a working mum its flexibility in achieving a work/life balance has been vital for me. I am passionate about our aims as an organisation and fundamentally being able to help people when they most need it in their life is a key driver for me."
Sarah Coccia
Area Executive Director – London
The online assessment centre assesses whether you have the abilities, behaviours and strengths required to become an effective prison officer. These areas are all discussed within this portal to help you to understand the process and prepare for the assessment centre and the subsequent medical and fitness assessment.
What happens at the online assessment centre?
The assessment starts with an introductory briefing session where you’ll be given information about what to expect at the assessment centre and will have the opportunity to ask any questions. You will then complete a series of assessments which you can read more about on the Preparation page. There will also be a debrief at the end of the assessment centre and an opportunity to ask any remaining questions. You will be able to give feedback on your experience and should expect to receive your results within three working days of attendance.
