Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Working Life

The work of a Prison Officer consists of caring for the needs of offenders whom the Courts have committed to prison. While the safe custody of those in their charge must be their first priority, Prison Officers have a very important additional role to play in assisting prisoners.

Prison Officers are part of a team that includes welfare workers, teachers, chaplains, doctors, psychologists, etc, and are engaged in helping to equip offenders with the necessary social and industrial skills to enable them to take a useful place in society when released.  
 
Prison Officers also escort prisoners inside and outside the prison. They patrol buildings and grounds to ensure a secure environment and carry out searches of cells if required.

Prison Governor

Prison governors are the managers of the prison service and are responsible for the administration and smooth running of a prison unit. They work at different levels of responsibility according to their management grade. These range from Governor 3 to Governor 1 grade.  
 
Governor 3 grade is the initial management grade. This role is largely made up of training and supervising staff, as well as arranging work and leisure activities for inmates. A Governor 3 may work in all parts of the prison and have frequent contact with prisoners.  
 
Governor Grade 2 employees have additional responsibilities to those above and may have overall responsibility for a small prison. Governors working in the larger establishments are graded 2 or 1.  
 
All prison governors need to have a good knowledge and understanding of what is going on in their prison or centre. As well as carrying out inspections, governors liaise with probation officers, social workers, and medical staff and prison psychologists. They also attend meetings, courses and conferences that may take them outside the prison from time to time.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
• Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
• Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
• Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
• Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
• Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
• Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
• Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
• Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.
• Settle disputes between inmates.

Further Information

• Prison Governor- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Prison Instructor- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Prison Officer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Prison officer- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

In Ireland, Prison Officers are recruited by open competition through the Public Appointments Service. Campaign details are made available on the Public Jobs website and on the Irish Prison Service website.

Separate competitions for specialist positions may be advertised as vacancies occur. 
 
Entry Requirements:

• Age Be at least 18 years of age
• Educational Qualifications, applicants must have achieved:
  • (i) in the Established Leaving Certificate a minimum of grade D3 (O6 from 2017 onwards) at Ordinary level, or C3 (F5 from 2017) at Foundation Level, in at least 5 subjects* OR
  • (ii) a Merit in the Leaving Certificate Applied programme; or a minimum of a Level 5 Major award (120 credits) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ); or a recognised relevant qualification (minimum Level 5 on the NFQ), which in the opinion of the Public Appointments Service is acceptable in terms of standard, level and volume of learning.

*A Pass or above in the Links Modules subject may be counted as one subject ** A Fetac Level 5 or 6 major award will have 120 Credits (Please note any certificate which has a lower number is only a Minor Award and is not sufficient to determine eligibility).

Note: This information is based on previous recruitment campaigns - applicants should always check the details of latest requirements as these may change.

Training

Training as a Recruit Prison Officer involves the completion of an intensive apprenticeship programme, which is accredited by Waterford IT as the Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (HCCC), over a 2-3year period. Prison Officers must successfully complete this training programme in order to progress to the rank of Prison Officer.

Training & Development

Security 

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: security studies, criminology, social studies, security operations and management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: security studies, criminology, social studies, security operations and management.

Search for PLC Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €34k - €37k

Salary applies to Recruit Prison officers. Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
IrishPrisons.ie/ Gov.ie

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Officers in armed forces; Senior officers in fire; ambulance; prison and related services; NCOs and other ranks Fire service officers (watch manager and below); Prison service officers (below principal officer); Police community support officers; Protective service associate professionals n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment in this occupation has been declining annually since 2020. Those working in this occupation are primarily employed within the public sector and, as such, any employment growth will be dependent on future Government funding. Budget 2023 allocated funding for an additional 100 prison service officers.

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Prison Service

  • IDA Business Park, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co. Longford
  • (043) 33 35100
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Prison Officers' Association

  • 18 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
  • (01) 662 5495
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here