Prision officer!!

simonflanagan

Hi,
How old to be a prision officer etc.. and what qualifactions do you need??

whassupp2

About the Job Back To Top

An Officer will have a high level of responsibility for the care, safety, security and rehabilitation of Prisoners;
Not a desk job! It involves a high level of physical activity - walking, climbing stairs, standing etc;
An Officer will need a high level of vigilance, in relation to security generally - must be constantly on alert for any changes which may give cause for concern;
Although the job sometimes involves following standard procedures which entail repetitive tasks, the variety of tasks in the Prison Service will present constant challenges;
An Officer will be part of a multidisciplinary team which includes Welfare workers, Teachers and Psychologists. All are engaged in helping to equip prisoners with the necessary social and work skills to enable them to take a useful place in society when released;
Increasing emphasis is being placed on involving officers in prisoner programmes;
Prison Officers enjoy Civil Service status.

Entry Requirements (for 2001 Competition) Back To Top

At least 19 and under 35 years;
A good general standard of education.
Salary Scale Back To Top

The weekly scale of pay at 1 October, 2002 is as follows: ( Long Service Increment Euro455.67 is payable after three years satisfactory service at the maximum point of the scale);
Officers are conditioned to work 7 days a week and can be required to work at night, at weekends and perform overtime as required;
Work on Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and nights attract premium payments. Officers also receive other allowances e.g. Rent allowance. Some posts also carry an allowance.
How do I get into the Prison Service? Back To Top

Competitions are run on our behalf by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission (CSC), and competitions are advertised in the national newspapers;
Qualifying competition in 2 stages;
Stage 1 is a work sample exercise;
Stage 2. Candidates placed highest at stage 1 will be called to stage 2 - interview, written exercise, group exercise;
The CSLAC provide applicants with a familiarisation booklet before competitions.
Training Back To Top

New Prison Officers receive nine weeks training which combines classroom tuition with job familiarisation. The Prison Service training centre is in Beladd House, Portlaoise. Some training classes have also taken place in Dublin;
Classroom tuition includes lectures, practical exercises and group work;
Elements of the training require a high degree of physical activity i.e. Control and Restraint and Breathing Apparatus training.
Where will I work if appointed as a Prison Officer? Back To Top

Prison Officers may be assigned to any Prison;
Officers are liable to transfer from time to time according to the exigencies of the Service;
Dublin locations. While an Officer may apply for a transfer at any time, no guarantee can be given that s/he can transfer to his/her preferred location within a short period of time.
Where are Prisons located? Back To Top

Mountjoy Committal prison for male prisoners at North Circular Road, Dublin 7;
Dochas Centre Committal prison for female prisoners at North Circular Road, Dublin 7;
Limerick Committal prison for male and female prisoners at Mulgrave Street, Limerick;
Cork Committal prison for male prisoners at Rathmore Road, Cork;
Arbour Hill Prison for male prisoners at Arbour Hill, Dublin 7;
Portlaoise Prison for male prisoners at Portlaoise, Co. Laois;
Training Unit A place of detention for male adults at Glengarriff Parade, Dublin 7;
Shelton Abbey A place for the detention of males at Arklow, Co. Wicklow;
St. Patrick's A place of detention for male juveniles at North Institution Circular Road,Dublin 7;
Loughan House A place for the detention of males at Blacklion, Co. Cavan;
Fort Mitchel A place for the detention of males at Spike Island, Cobh, Co. Cork;
Wheatfield A place of detention for male prisoners at Wheatfield, Clondalkin, Dublin 22;
Castlerea Prison for male prisoners at Castlerea, Co. Roscommon;
Curragh A place of detention for male prisoners at the Curragh, Co. Kildare;
Department of Building Stores headquarters, Santy, Dublin 9 (not a place of detention) Justice Stores;
Cloverhill remand prison for males adjacent to Wheatfield;
Midlands A closed institution for male prisoners adjacent to Portlaoise.
How many Prison Officers are there? Back To Top

There are currently 3,426 personnel in the Prison Service on 21 March, 2003.
How many prisoners are there? Back To Top

On 21 March, 2003 there were 3,159 prisoners of whom 219 were on temporary release.
Is Recruitment to the Prison Service only at Prison Officer Level? Back To Top

No. Specialist grades are recruited by way of separate open competition run by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission. These grades include
Nurse Officers
Prison Officer - Trades
Industrial Training Instructor;
Psychologists and Pharmacists are also recruited, but do not fall within the normal Prison Service reporting structure.
Promotion Back To Top

Promotion up to and including Governor can be achieved through the career structure.
Further Education Back To Top

Fees incurred by officers pursing relevant further part-time education may be refunded;
In-house training is also provided to officers where deemed necessary.
Retirement Back To Top

The position is pensionable;
Retirement is compulsory at 60 years of age;
An Officer may retire at any time over age of 50 years provided s/he has 30 years actual prison service;
Officers may be required to retire at any time after 55 years of age.
Equality Back To Top

The Prison Service is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.