The Irish Prison Service (IPS) is hoping to recruit up to 144 new prison officers this year, and another 200 next year.

On Friday (15 July), the service opened its campaign to recruit entry-level prison officers.

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee urged people from minority and new Irish communities to consider a career in the IPS.

The competition for positions as Recruit Prison Officers is being run by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the IPS.

The last recruitment competition was held in early 2019, and classes have continued right throughout the pandemic.

The competition is open until Thursday, 4 August at 3pm.

‘Challenging and rewarding’

Caron McCaffrey (Director General of the IPS, pictured) said that the competition demonstrated the service’s commitment to expanding its workforce.

“The role of prison officer can be both challenging and rewarding, and our training will provide applicants with a greater understanding of the complex role a prison officer will face, which combines the provision of safe and secure custody with care and rehabilitation of our prisoners,” she said.

The IPS is planning to set up a panel from which vacancies, at Recruit Prison Officer level initially, may be filled.

After the successful completion of three years’ service – including probation and a Higher Certificate in Custodial Care – the Recruit Prison Officer will be appointed as an established prison officer.