Northern Ireland prison service (now recruiting))

BIGD85

Hi folks, I'm new to this forum, i received several forms last week to fill out, they included the opticians report, vaccination report and CTC forms, however, I'm already CTC cleared. Can anyone tell me how long I might have to wait until I'm invited to attend a medical? Thanks in advance.

Doda12

I think it was about 2 weeks after I sent back those forms I was called for medical

BIGD85

Thanks, hopefully I here something next week :-)

Aoine

What positions have you applied for BIGD85?

BIGD85

Hi, I applied for both PCO and CO jobs

Aoine

Same as myself BIGD85......

Aoine

I had my medical and passed about 7 wks ago but still no word :-(

BIGD85

Such a frustrating process but hopefully worth the wait :-)

HighburyLad

I'm tempted to phone and ask how far along are they in the process, more so for custody officer, kinda regret not ticking the other boxes for PCO, I would have if I had known what has happened, it's kind of a shambles the whole process that is, sucks if merit numbers are anything to go by then pretty certain I would be heading to Millisle soon, but even then they don't seem to really mean anything lol

craydon

HighburyLad wrote: »

I'm tempted to phone and ask how far along are they in the process, more so for custody officer, kinda regret not ticking the other boxes for PCO, I would have if I had known what has happened, it's kind of a shambles the whole process that is, sucks if merit numbers are anything to go by then pretty certain I would be heading to Millisle soon, but even then they don't seem to really mean anything lol

Totally agree with this!

HighburyLad

craydon wrote: »

Totally agree with this!

Okay so contacted the recruitment help line, and explained that I had only applied for the Custody Officer role, the lady said all that currently stands is the Prisoner Custody Officer role, she hasn't heard anything more for the Custody Officer role, she said if I don't hear anything before Christmas to phone in the new year, that's all I was told, it really does suck that they would advertise for a certain role and actually not actively recruit my only guess, from what I've been told by a family member who's a governor within the NIPS said that they are wanting a waiting list as such, as I have been told by them that they need Custody Officers, it's just a matter of having a waiting list complied so as soon as it's announced here's the numbers we need, get cracking with recruiting from the list

HighburyLad

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24556442


And this doesn't inspire me with confidence hopefully this is something that's anticipated within the next few years, I mean what the hell is going on like lol

Edit: should have seen the part were it said prison officers would get trained elsewhere, but still I hope if I get a call it will at Millisle I would be doing the training all the history and what not through there, would be gutting to not be a part of it

craydon

I actually seen that a few days ago. But I've just remembered now about an article I seen about how the last bunch of new prison officers had graduated (at the beginning of this year) but the way it was worded was making it seem like they don't really need to recruit anymore. And what you've said about the waiting list is making me think maybe they only need handfuls for people who've left the job or moved onto other positions. I soo hope I'm wrong!

chantelle101

HighburyLad wrote: »

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24556442


And this doesn't inspire me with confidence hopefully this is something that's anticipated within the next few years, I mean what the hell is going on like lol

Edit: should have seen the part were it said prison officers would get trained elsewhere, but still I hope if I get a call it will at Millisle I would be doing the training all the history and what not through there, would be gutting to not be a part of it

Aw really hope they don't do this!! Is this new site in Cookstown going to b a prison? Are they likely to close maghaberry or move it..does anyone kno? Highbury did ur family member say about numbers for co? Vaguely remember u saying about it before. Hopefully when they get the go ahead itl b a very fast thing from then but not holding my breath. Did they say if they had got to 35 and 20 hr posts yet for pco?

craydon

chantelle101 wrote: »

Aw really hope they don't do this!! Is this new site in Cookstown going to b a prison? Are they likely to close maghaberry or move it..does anyone kno? Highbury did ur family member say about numbers for co? Vaguely remember u saying about it before. Hopefully when they get the go ahead itl b a very fast thing from then but not holding my breath. Did they say if they had got to 35 and 20 hr posts yet for pco?

It's a huge new college for police, fire service and prison officer training! But as far as I know they haven't started it yet! Cookstown is pretty much the other end of the country for me lol

ukgirl

I'd love to know have they got to the 20 hr positions yet too or just the full time ones

holly1984

ukgirl wrote: »

I'd love to know have they got to the 20 hr positions yet too or just the full time ones

They haven't even started the 35hour posts yet! I rang last week again & they said they are still filling the 40 hr posts & will be hopefully moving onto 35hr ones shortly. They also said the next intake for training won't be until December or January

chantelle101

holly1984 wrote: »

They haven't even started the 35hour posts yet! I rang last week again & they said they are still filling the 40 hr posts & will be hopefully moving onto 35hr ones shortly. They also said the next intake for training won't be until December or January

Seriously!! Us that hav applied for co aint looking hopeful. R applications will hav expired!!!!

craydon

chantelle101 wrote: »

Seriously!! Us that hav applied for co aint looking hopeful. R applications will hav expired!!!!

So true! I wish they would all tell us the same info when we phone to ask about it because between us we have about 5 different answers! Think we'd be lucky to hear by next summer the way things are going

Laura136

Hey All, im new to the thread and have been looking over your posts.!!
Just to let you know I was on with them and they confirmed that they are still only recruiting for the PCO 40hrs.
So there is still a great chance for everyone
I am wayyyyy down the list (early 300s) but on a brighter note the lady confirmed that there is the same number behind me!!
So if they have like 600 on the merit list they must be planning to recruit a heck off a lot over the next few months

HighburyLad

Laura136 wrote: »

Hey All, im new to the thread and have been looking over your posts.!!
Just to let you know I was on with them and they confirmed that they are still only recruiting for the PCO 40hrs.
So there is still a great chance for everyone
I am wayyyyy down the list (early 300s) but on a brighter note the lady confirmed that there is the same number behind me!!
So if they have like 600 on the merit list they must be planning to recruit a heck off a lot over the next few months

Hi Laura, did you apply for all the roles offered or just the custody officer role? Just wondering, this has been such a fiasco in my opinion your post is encouraging as anytime I have rang up its always been a certain lady who if I'm honest is as helpful as a chocolate fire guard, and seems to pee'd off every time I get her on the phone lol, I didn't realise the list went as far down to the 600's, but I have been told by a family member who's a governor that they were at a meeting recently regarding numbers of custody officers and they need a lot more, as they are struggling to cope, literally that's what I was told, and they said that once PCO's are filled they will be taking on more CO's he told me that they know already how many they will need to take I asked, and he just said at least a few hundred.

I didn't even know there were people on the list in the 300's let alone the 600's so that to me is that like Laura has said there will be a lot more recruited, and not to bash the NIPS but I have been told repeatedly how the prison service is well... badly ran and unorganised, this is kinda proving right, on a report published under FOI on the NIPS site even states that there hasn't been an internal promotion within the prison service since 2000 which to me is baffling, a lot of English people also have come over after retiring from their positions in the English prison service and taken jobs that technically should have went to those internally, it's been going through this change to better it, but it's still from what I can see, still not being properly sorted out, that's only what I can see and from what I've been told, what the hell do I know though lol, just an extremely frustrating experience it's been lol

Laura136

I applied for the 35hrs PCO and the CO roles.
I'm still pretty hopeful that I will eventually get in (but its going to take time) as you are all aware its a slow business..
Has anyone done their medicals?
If so can I ask what is envolved? Its just a wrecked my knee while playing footy and I need to know if I will even be able to complete it.

October2013

Hi Laura,
Yes I done my medical about two months ago, but still heard nothing since. Apart from the fact all my paperwork is through and im on the waiting list. I applied for both PCO (35 + 40) and CO. In the medical they did a urine sample, height, weight etc. And a series of health questions. I also had to do a few 'movements' but nothing too scary.
I keep checking my phone, but nothing, especially when some others on here started getting 'their calls'!!
Good luck

HighburyLad

You see those of us that only ticked CO haven't even been invited to a medical yet, I can only speak for myself but my merit number is pretty high and I know others will be the same, I suppose it's just a waiting game, I hate waiting lol that's all I seem to do these days for these type of jobs police and prison service, is wait lol

craydon

HighburyLad wrote: »

You see those of us that only ticked CO haven't even been invited to a medical yet, I can only speak for myself but my merit number is pretty high and I know others will be the same, I suppose it's just a waiting game, I hate waiting lol that's all I seem to do these days for these type of jobs police and prison service, is wait lol

Same as me, only applied for co and within top 100 on merit list. I'm so fed up lol I really didn't think the wait to hear anything else would be so long.

ukgirl

Have they any idea when they'll be recruiting CO's. the good thing is they can have 100 in Millisle at a time so hopefully when they start they'll bang us all in quickly.

holly1984

I am early 100's in merit list, applied for 35 & 20 hr PCO posts & CO post. Passed medical, ACCESS NI & as far as I know, CTC aswell. Still no contact, totally fed up waiting now

Wildrover123

I heard new starts will be starting inJanuary from a good source.....

holly1984

Wildrover123 wrote: »

I heard new starts will be starting inJanuary from a good source.....

Yeah they told me that on the phone the other day - said next intake for training would be December or January

HighburyLad

Only thing is folks, are those new starts for Jan, PCO's lol, hope they're CO's lol, im the same as everyone, top 60 merit placing, but only CO ticked, and I would be gutted if I never got a call, it would be the biggest waste of time and effort ever