Prison Officer Recruitment

2026 CAMPAIGN NOW OPEN

Prepare for the competitive selection process with our renowned preparation courses, tailored specifically to the recruitment stages used in Recruit Prison Officer competitions.

Preparation Courses Free Prison Officer Info webinar Testimonials

2026 Prison Officer Recruitment Campaign

NOW OPEN: The Irish Prison Service has launched a Recruit Prison Officer competition. Deadline for applications is 8th October at 3pm on the Public Appointments Service website.

Full eligibility criteria and campaign details are outlined in the official Candidate Information Booklet.

The competitive selection process will include:

Online aptitude tests (Verbal & Numerical)
A role-play exercise
A competency-based interview

Register for our free Prison Officer Recruitment Information Webinar to get a clear overview of the 2026 competition and what to expect next:

A career with purpose, structure, and real impact!

Source: Irish Prisons via YouTube

Start preparing

What our candidates say...

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I used your prison officer assessment & interview course to prepare for the most recent competition. I invested a lot of time studying every section in the course that was available. When it came to do the assessment I could not believe how accurate the course was. It was absolutely identical. Immediately my nerves dwindled because I had seen the test so many times before. I scored the 6th highest in the competition. I would recommend this course to anybody whose serious about pursuing this career. Completely worth the money. Thanks very much for supplying a fantastic product.
Cathal Brady

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“Deciding to go with Career Services to prepare me for each stage was the best decision I could have made, everything is laid out for you in an understandable format. I would highly recommend anyone who is applying for the Recruit Prison Officer position to give themselves a head start by using Career Services.”
Ken, Co. Westmeath

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“I used your course for the Prison Service and did fantastic through the process because of it. I found Career Services extremely helpful, I can’t recommend them enough, I recommend them to everyone who wants to excel in whatever job they are pursuing. Top quality preparation.”
Francis, Co. Meath

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“The course was excellent. I wouldn’t have passed the aptitude without doing it. Thanks.”
Fergal, Co. Roscommon

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“Very professional tutors. Vast amount of useful knowledge. Well worth the money"
David, Co. Kildare

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“Very good course. Really worth doing as we got very good information”
Gavin, Co. Dublin

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“Excellent course! Would not have had a clue about the competencies without this course”
Tyrone, Co. Tipperary

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“Excellent course and very informative. I have much more confidence now. I would highly recommend the course. Excellent tutors. Much appreciated”
Amanda, Co. Kildare

Testimonials

Why choose our preparation courses

The Irish Prison Service recruitment process is highly competitive, with large numbers of applicants progressing through a limited number of places.

For over 35 years, Career Services has helped candidates prepare for Prison Officer recruitment campaigns and other Irish public-sector competitions. We are a private education company, and our courses are optional, but consistently popular among candidates seeking structured, expert preparation.

Our online course is designed to help you:

Understand the assessment formats used
Prepare effectively for each stage
Approach tests and interviews with confidence

Course benefits include:

Targeted preparation for aptitude tests, role-play exercises and interviews
Expert-led guidance focused on public-sector assessment standards
Flexible online access, allowing you to prepare at your own pace
Proven track record supporting candidates across multiple recruitment campaigns

Preparation helps ensure you approach each stage informed, confident and ready to perform.

Start Preparing today!

What is a Recruit Prison Officer?

A Recruit Prison Officer (RPO) is the entry-level grade within the Irish Prison Service. When recruitment campaigns open, a panel is formed from which vacancies are filled as they arise.

Following the successful completion of:

Probation
Three years’ service
A Higher Certificate in Custodial Care

Recruit Prison Officers may be appointed as Established Prison Officers.

Working as a Prison Officer

Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and Prison Officers work shift patterns that include:

Night duties
Weekend work
Public holidays
Additional rostered hours

The role is challenging and demanding, but also structured, varied and rewarding. Prison Officers are expected to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgement, strong communication skills and the ability to respond calmly to complex situations.

Entry Requirements Recruitment Process

Online Preparation Course

We run highly regarded online preparation courses for candidates applying to the Irish Prison Service. These courses focus on the assessment formats candidates can expect and are designed to support confident, structured performance at every stage.

Preparation Courses