Northern Ireland prison service (now recruiting))

triple-M

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17055556

[HTML][/HTML]anybody applying?

grad10

Hi triple-M,
Yeah been waiting for it to come out for a while. Although struggling with the question 'Do you hold a current clean driving licence' as I have 3 penalty ponts?!

elvis99

Are those living in the Republic eligible to apply?

triple-M

elvis99 wrote: »

Are those living in the Republic eligible to apply?

yep sure are as ireland is an eea country which makes us eligible to apply

triple-M

grad10 wrote: »

Hi triple-M,
Yeah been waiting for it to come out for a while. Although struggling with the question 'Do you hold a current clean driving licence' as I have 3 penalty ponts?!

im not sure about that one,I dont see it being too much of an issue but i-d ring up and ask just to be sure

Delancey

elvis99 wrote: »

Are those living in the Republic eligible to apply?

Unsure if they have a UK residency requirement in the same way as those hoping to join the UK Police ( other than PSNI ) have come a cropper on. Check that out first.

Munsterlad2012

Anyone down south applying?

Corruptable

Munsterlad2012 wrote: »

Anyone down south applying?

Funny enough I was having a look at it, not sure if I'm in a position for it right now, so I'm haven't reached a decision to apply yet.

It sounds promising though for those who are in a position to go for it, I predict that there will be a lot of competition coming from the south for the 200 places given the state of the economy and zero prospect of public sector employment down here at the moment.

Munsterlad2012

Corruptable wrote: »

Munsterlad2012 wrote: »

Anyone down south applying?

Funny enough I was having a look at it, not sure if I'm in a position for it right now, so I'm haven't reached a decision to apply yet.

It sounds promising though for those who are in a position to go for it, I predict that there will be a lot of competition coming from the south for the 200 places given the state of the economy and zero prospect of public sector employment down here at the moment.

Ah it will cost nothing to throw in an application. I posted mine yesterday.

Munsterlad2012

Was reading old threads from 2008 where it talks about the prison officers carrying a firearm off duty, I don't know how I'd feel with that.

Rawhead

It's a different kettle of fish up north lads. I've worked closely enough with them over the last 2 years. Good bunch of lads. Would still be predominantly Protestant as they haven't had a 50/50 recruitment rule unlike the PSNI and I'm not aware of too many lads from the south. I found anyone I dealt with to be spot on.
The political's make it a different game and you are issued a gun because 29 Prison Officers were killed during the troubles. Remember that unlike the police you will only be dealing with the bad people and that you will be a fen**n bastard to one half and a free state traitor to the other half.
Not trying to put you off or anything, just giving you the truth. Best of luck to all who apply.

Munsterlad2012

Rawhead wrote: »

It's a different kettle of fish up north lads. I've worked closely enough with them over the last 2 years. Good bunch of lads. Would still be predominantly Protestant as they haven't had a 50/50 recruitment rule unlike the PSNI and I'm not aware of too many lads from the south. I found anyone I dealt with to be spot on.
The political's make it a different game and you are issued a gun because 29 Prison Officers were killed during the troubles. Remember that unlike the police you will only be dealing with the bad people and that you will be a fen**n bastard to one half and a free state traitor to the other half.
Not trying to put you off or anything, just giving you the truth. Best of luck to all who apply.

I wonder are you safe enough when you have the support and backing of those you work with.

grad10

triple-M wrote: »

im not sure about that one,I dont see it being too much of an issue but i-d ring up and ask just to be sure

Rang this morning, apparently you tick 'Yes' to having a clean driving licence.. and then declare the points on the next page. Other than that probably the most straightforward application I've ever seen!!

Munsterlad2012

grad10 wrote: »

triple-M wrote: »

im not sure about that one,I dont see it being too much of an issue but i-d ring up and ask just to be sure

Rang this morning, apparently you tick 'Yes' to having a clean driving licence.. and then declare the points on the next page. Other than that probably the most straightforward application I've ever seen!!

You from down south too pal?

triple-M

application sent yesterday evening,I wonder if the recruitment process will be in anyway similar to the process for the psni which I found pretty good,(Im from south aswell)

Munsterlad2012

Anyone know if they are 12 or 8 hour shifts

Fenian Army

People may want to look at the current escalating problems with republican prisoners in the norths jails, this is only going to get worse and the inevitable conclusion will be violence imo, and prison officers got targeted before.

Much more risk involved with being a prison officer up north, wouldn't do it myself, just make sure you know what you are getting into!

triple-M

does anyone know what way it works regarding loyalist and republican prisoners,I assume that theyre kept seperate from eachother,do they have seperate wings in the prison for them and do they ever mingle the two sides?

Fenian Army

triple-M wrote: »

does anyone know what way it works regarding loyalist and republican prisoners,I assume that theyre kept seperate from eachother,do they have seperate wings in the prison for them and do they ever mingle the two sides?

I know that republicans are on a separate wing in Maghaberry, Roe House I think its called. They are also currently on various types of protest, most are on full out dirty protest with beards and everything others just no wash.

They all refuse strip searches so that leads to regular clashes. It's no exaggeration to say its like the h-blocks in there, hellish. Raymond McCarthy went to see and he'd know.

Its also the number one source of propaganda dissident republicans have too, they point at the situation in the prisons as evidence that things haven't changed, SF led people up the garden path etc.

Dunno why they don't just treat them like they do in the south, unionist intransigence I guess.

In all honesty I can only see this escalating so keep it in mind lads when applying, not trying to scare people off just making people aware.

Munsterlad2012

Anyone know of pre aptitude test courses like the ones that are held in the republic.

Buzz35

The salary is a bit dissapointing.

Munsterlad2012

Buzz35 wrote: »

The salary is a bit dissapointing.

I wonder is that basic, before over time and allowances. Such as shift allowance, night shift allowance etc

elvis99

I assume ya don't need a National Insurance number to apply? or am I mistaken?

Munsterlad2012

elvis99 wrote: »

I assume ya don't need a National Insurance number to apply? or am I mistaken?

If u are down south it is your PPS number

Goonerdee

It says on the website that the shifts are being reviewed, so it might not be the same as it is now. As for the wages, Id say that includes all allowances, but not overtime. Dont think the chances of overtime are as high as they are in the PSNI, which is understaffed for what they are facing on the streets, the NI prison service is overstaffed and they are trying to pay off more than they are recruiting.

Munsterlad2012

Goonerdee wrote: »

It says on the website that the shifts are being reviewed, so it might not be the same as it is now. As for the wages, Id say that includes all allowances, but not overtime. Dont think the chances of overtime are as high as they are in the PSNI, which is understaffed for what they are facing on the streets, the NI prison service is overstaffed and they are trying to pay off more than they are recruiting.

Do u reckon it would still be a good move

elvis99

Munsterlad2012 wrote: »

If u are down south it is your PPS number

But would a PPS number not be irrelevant up North? I would have thought National Insurance number would be applicable to those who actually have one.

Goonerdee

If you want to join the prison service then don't miss this opportunity, it has been 20 years since the last recruitment campaign. It isn't that big a wage for some of the crap you will have to put up with, for me the wages are the same as I get now for an ordinary job. It will most likely be a life changing job. I want to join the PSNI, but, it is possible, they might not need a recruitment campaign for years, maybe even twenty like the NIPS. I reckon the prison service will be as interesting and satisfying a job as the police, you still have to deal with those who struggle to cope, or to fit in, and make them better people.

I am seriously considering giving it a go, if I fail, I fail. But this I know! I would regret not even trying for it.

Munsterlad2012

elvis99 wrote: »

Munsterlad2012 wrote: »

If u are down south it is your PPS number

But would a PPS number not be irrelevant up North? I would have thought National Insurance number would be applicable to those who actually have one.

It would be irrelevant but if u get the job u will be issued with a uk one

Goonerdee

elvis99 wrote: »

But would a PPS number not be irrelevant up North? I would have thought National Insurance number would be applicable to those who actually have one.

I think there are numbers on the website you can call to help, they might know. Personally I don't think you write anything in. If you havent got a NI number you will be issued with an emergency one, then a permanent one after that. Best to phone and find out.

Buzz35

Anyone know what the training schedule is? It there a residential period etc?

Goonerdee

Hopefully they send out an info pack.

Munsterlad2012

Anyone have an idea what the IST test will consist of

Buzz35

Dont think anybody knows much about the ist's or the ac's. Suppose its the first campaign for years so the formatt will be anyones guess.

Munsterlad2012

Buzz35 wrote: »

Dont think anybody knows much about the ist's or the ac's. Suppose its the first campaign for years so the formatt will be anyones guess.

True enough I suppose. Should be ok tho

Delancey

Munsterlad2012 wrote: »

Anyone have an idea what the IST test will consist of

I dunno anything about the Prison Service IST , but if it is anything like the PSNI test I can tell you that time management is absolutely fundamental to getting a decent score.
In the PSNI test the questions in themselves are not difficult , the problem is getting them all done in the very limited time allowed.

I strongly advise to bring a watch or stopwatch with you to measure your time use ( they almost certainly will not allow mobile phones to be used for timekeeping purposes ). Do not get bogged down - if you do you've had it.
If you have 10 seconds left and 10 unanswered q's then tick something for them all - you may get lucky.
In the PSNI test the key is time management - if you don't manage your time then you're in trouble.

One more thing - they will almost certainly insist on specific photo ID at the test - probably passport , driving licence or Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card . Be sure to bring the specific ID sought - don't think a Student ID will be accepted for 1 minute because it won't.
At a PSNI test I saw a member of the Royal Navy denied admission to the test because he thought his navy ID would be acceptable - it was not.

Good luck !

sydnor

Buzz35 wrote: »

The salary is a bit dissapointing.

£23,000 after a year's probation isn't too shabby IMO.

sydnor

Buzz35 wrote: »

Anyone know what the training schedule is? It there a residential period etc?

There will be. During the last campaign a couple of years ago the training period was six weeks.

Munsterlad2012

sydnor wrote: »

Buzz35 wrote: »

The salary is a bit dissapointing.

£23,000 after a year's probation isn't too shabby IMO.

It's ok money for anyone down south being paid in sterling into a uk bank

McCoy

anyone any idea of test dates/locations yet???

Canyon86

any link lads and ladies?

I cant find it

:O

McCoy

competition closed on the 2nd of march im afraid

kravmaga

triple-M wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17055556

[HTML][/HTML]anybody applying?

The salary on offer is very poor.

If you are applying from ROI you will have to take into account re-settlement expenses, rent, setting up a bank account in NI for salary.

Plus your going to be dealing with nasty individuals and whether you would be able to rely on your work colleagues is questionable being from ROI and all that goes with it....

However best of luck to anyone who is interested.

kravmaga

kravmaga wrote: »

able to rely on your work colleagues is questionable being from ROI and all that goes with it....

What experiences have you had that makes you think it would be questionable?

Munsterlad2012

gary71 wrote: »

kravmaga wrote: »

able to rely on your work colleagues is questionable being from ROI and all that goes with it....

What experiences have you had that makes you think it would be questionable?

That **** kravmaga is saying would turn u off going for it

Working in a environment where others may want to hurt you changes how you look at a person, having the ability to watch your colleagues back is one of the most important qualities your judged on(that and not starting grief). When you are being assaulted and you can hear your mates coming a running or you need to walk in to a cell knowing your colleague is a step behind you, then you build a bond which I think is stronger than anything else and you just don't care about their background, it's just not important, I have never worked in Ireland, North or South but I do not believe any PO would leave a Fellow PO to be hurt, I think the idea is silly.

I found that a PO who didn't stand when required soon lost respect and trust which is a lonely place to be.

kravmaga

gary71 wrote: »

What experiences have you had that makes you think it would be questionable?

Plenty of experiences Gary.

I am not going to mention on a public forum like this however.

kravmaga

kravmaga wrote: »

Plenty of experiences Gary.

I am not going to mention on a public forum like this however.

I'v worked in prisons in London and that's what my views are based on, have you ever worked as a PO in the North?

I just find it very hard to believe a PO would leave another PO hanging because of where their from or their religion, now I have been put in a couple of bad spots because my colleague walked away in the other direction when it kicked off:eek: but that's more to do with them loosing their bottle than anything else.

I'm not going to post on this again as I don't want to hijack the thread;) good luck to anyone applying.

kravmaga

gary71 wrote: »

I'v worked in prisons in London and that's what my views are based on, have you ever worked as a PO in the North?

I just find it very hard to believe a PO would leave another PO hanging because of where their from or their religion, now I have been put in a couple of bad spots because my colleague walked away in the other direction when it kicked off:eek: but that's more to do with them loosing their bottle than anything else.

I'm not going to post on this again as I don't want to hijack the thread;) good luck to anyone applying.

If your English living in London why are you implying that your have knowledge of how the NIPS works???

Goonerdee

What the Hell is being implied here?

kravmaga

kravmaga wrote: »

The salary on offer is very poor.

If you are applying from ROI you will have to take into account re-settlement expenses, rent, setting up a bank account in NI for salary.

Plus your going to be dealing with nasty individuals and whether you would be able to rely on your work colleagues is questionable being from ROI and all that goes with it....

However best of luck to anyone who is interested.

.