Prison Officer Interview Questions and Assessment Guide

Prison officers in England and Wales are recruited by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) through a national online process. You do not need specific qualifications or experience, but you must show that you can communicate calmly, make sound decisions, set boundaries and care about the people in your charge.

This page explains each stage as HMPPS describes it, plus practice questions and interview questions with answers. Scotland and Northern Ireland recruit separately.

Eligibility in brief

HMPPS says you must be at least 18 when you start, have the right to work in the UK and pass a medical and fitness assessment that includes hearing and eyesight tests. To work in a high security (category A) prison, you must have lived in the UK for the three years immediately before you apply. HMPPS also advises checking transport before applying, as many prisons are rural and shifts can start around 7am.

The prison officer recruitment process, step by step

HMPPS says the process takes six to seven months on average from starting your application to your first day, depending on assessment dates, background checks and vacancies.

Step 1: Find a job and apply online

Vacancies are listed on prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk. The application takes about 10 minutes and needs your National Insurance number. You can also choose to be considered for an operational support grade (OSG) role at the same time. If there is no vacancy near you, you can register your interest or apply through the First Time Prison Officer Recruitment Scheme if you are happy to work away from home for your first 23 months. You can apply to several prisons; your first application's scores are reused for the others.

Step 2: The online tests

Stage 1: Scenario-based test (SBT). Behavioural and numerical scenarios you might face as a prison officer. It takes around 25 to 40 minutes and checks basic numeracy and the behaviours expected in the role. HMPPS offers a practice test and does not see your practice results.

Stage 2: Values-based assessment (VBA). If you pass the SBT, you are invited to the VBA. It takes up to 20 minutes on average, has no time limit and uses a variety of question styles. HMPPS says it covers three behaviours, one technical area and one strength, and describes four criteria: communicating and influencing, managing a quality service, making effective decisions, and caring. Complete the example questions first so the formats feel familiar.

Step 3: The online assessment centre (OAC)

The OAC takes about two and a half hours and you need a laptop with a webcam. It starts with an introductory briefing, then three assessments:

  1. Interview: questions about your strengths, what motivates and energises you, and how you would act in specific situations.
  2. Role play: you take on the role of a prison officer interacting with a prisoner, in a situation based on real challenges in the job.
  3. Written test: you consider two situations you might face when working with prisoners and write your response.

If you apply to a women's prison, there is an additional written assessment with three behaviour-based questions about working in a women's prison. You need fluent spoken and written English, and HMPPS lists the documents to have ready on the day.

Step 4: Results

HMPPS says you get OAC results within three working days. What happens next depends on whether you applied for a "pass" or a "merit" vacancy, which the job description states:

  • Pass vacancy: you are allocated to the next available vacancy. A pass is valid for 12 months and can be used for other prisons.
  • Merit vacancy: vacancies go to candidates in order of OAC performance. You can stay on the merit list for 12 months.

If you do not pass the OAC, you must wait six months before re-applying as a prison officer.

Step 5: Pre-employment checks

Security, identity, employment history and health checks start once a position is available, and HMPPS says they can take 8 to 10 weeks. High security prisons also need enhanced vetting and a counter-terrorism check.

Step 6: Medical and fitness tests

After a provisional offer, you attend a medical with an occupational health professional (eye test, hearing test and basic health screening including blood pressure), then a fitness test. HMPPS describes a bleep test with a shuttle run between two points for endurance and agility, and upper body strength tests: holding a 7kg riot shield and gripping a piece of equipment. Fitness centres are in Swindon, Cambridge, South London (Croydon), Rugby (Newbold Revel), Leeds and Manchester, and UK travel expenses can be claimed up to £100.

Practice questions in the style of the online tests

These are our own items, written to reflect the behavioural and numerical scenarios HMPPS describes. They are not real HMPPS questions.

Practice question 1

A prisoner on your wing becomes loud and aggressive because his family visit has been cancelled. What is the most effective first response?

A. Tell him to calm down or he will lose privileges B. Speak to him calmly, acknowledge he is upset, and find out what happened with the visit C. Ignore him until he stops shouting D. Immediately call for restraint

Answer: B. De-escalation through calm communication is the first step and shows care. A threatens before understanding, C leaves the situation to worsen, and D is disproportionate unless there is an immediate risk.

Practice question 2

A prisoner offers you a "thank you" gift of chocolate from the canteen after you helped him with a form. What should you do?

A. Accept it, because it is only small B. Accept it and share it with colleagues C. Politely decline and explain you cannot accept gifts, then record it if local rules require D. Report him for bribery straight away

Answer: C. Clear boundaries protect you and the prisoner, and conditioning often starts with small favours. A and B break boundaries, and D overreacts to what may be a genuine gesture.

Practice question 3

You notice a colleague often leaves a cell door unlocked for a few minutes longer than allowed. What should you do?

A. Say nothing, as it has not caused a problem B. Raise it with your colleague and, if it continues, report it to your supervisor C. Lock the doors yourself without saying anything D. Mention it to prisoners so they know

Answer: B. Security is everyone's responsibility, and a proportionate, direct approach first is fair. A tolerates a security risk, C does not fix the cause, and D is a serious breach.

Practice question 4

A wing holds 96 prisoners. 3/8 of them are attending education this morning. How many are attending?

A. 24 B. 32 C. 36 D. 40

Answer: C. 96 / 8 = 12, and 12 x 3 = 36.

Practice question 5

Unlock starts at 08:15. Each landing takes 12 minutes and there are 4 landings, done one after another. What time is unlock complete?

A. 08:51 B. 09:03 C. 09:05 D. 09:15

Answer: B. 4 x 12 = 48 minutes, and 08:15 + 48 minutes = 09:03.

Practice question 6

A prisoner tells you he has been feeling hopeless and has given away his belongings. What is the most effective action?

A. Tell him things will get better and move on B. Stay with him, listen, and follow the self-harm and suicide prevention procedure straight away C. Note it and mention it at the end of your shift D. Ask another prisoner to keep an eye on him

Answer: B. These are warning signs that need immediate action under the prison's safety procedures. A and C delay help, and D passes your duty of care to another prisoner.

Practice question 7

The canteen budget for a wing is £1,200 a week. Spending this week is 15% lower than budget. How much has been spent?

A. £960 B. £1,000 C. £1,020 D. £1,080

Answer: C. 15% of £1,200 is £180, and £1,200 - £180 = £1,020. More practice is in our numerical reasoning practice questions.

The prison officer interview: format and example answers

The OAC interview mixes strengths-based questions (what you enjoy, what energises you) with situational questions (what you would do). For situational and past-behaviour questions, the STAR method keeps answers structured. The behaviours HMPPS lists for the VBA are a good guide to what interviewers look for too.

1. Why do you want to be a prison officer?

Example answer: "I have worked in a homeless hostel for three years, and I have seen how much difference one steady adult can make to someone whose life has gone wrong. I want to do that in a setting where it can help stop people reoffending, and I like that the role has structure and a clear purpose."

2. What energises you at work?

Example answer: "Sorting out problems for people face to face. At the hostel, my best days were when a resident came in angry about something and left with a plan. I also enjoy being busy; quiet shifts drag for me."

3. Tell me about a time you calmed down an angry person.

Example answer: "A resident was shouting at reception because his benefits had been stopped. I moved him to a quieter room, let him talk, and said I would help him call the Jobcentre. We found a missed appointment letter and rebooked it. He calmed down once he had something he could do."

4. How would you deal with a prisoner who refuses to go back to his cell?

Example answer: "First I would try to find out why, calmly and without an audience if possible. If there is a genuine concern, I would explain what I can do about it. I would be clear about what needs to happen and the consequences, and if he still refused, I would get support from colleagues and follow procedure rather than escalate on my own."

5. Tell me about a time you had to say no to someone.

Example answer: "A regular customer at my shop asked me to put items aside without paying, which was against policy. I explained politely that I could not, and offered to tell him when new stock arrived instead. He was annoyed at first, but he still shops with us."

6. How would you handle a prisoner trying to get too friendly with you?

Example answer: "I would stay polite and professional, but keep conversations about appropriate topics and avoid sharing personal information. If it continued or felt like manipulation, I would tell my supervisor and record it, because conditioning often starts with small things."

7. Tell me about a time you made a decision with limited information.

Example answer: "On a night shift at the hostel, a resident collapsed and a friend said he had taken something. I called 999, put him in the recovery position and told the paramedics what I knew. I did not wait to find out exactly what he had taken, as the priority was getting help quickly."

8. How do you look after yourself in a stressful job?

Example answer: "I keep work and home separate where I can. I go to the gym after tough shifts and I use supervision sessions to talk through difficult incidents. I also know when to ask for help instead of carrying everything myself."

9. How would you treat a prisoner who had committed a crime you find upsetting?

Example answer: "The same as everyone else. The court has dealt with the crime; my job is to keep them safe, decent and secure while they serve their sentence. Treating people fairly is also what keeps me and my colleagues safe."

10. Do you have any questions for us?

Example answer: "What support do new officers get in their first months on the wing?"

Practical tips for prison officer recruitment

  • Take the practice SBT and the VBA example questions before your real attempts.
  • Prepare for the role play by practising calm, open questions, clear explanations and firm, polite boundaries.
  • Set up your OAC space: a laptop with a working webcam, a quiet room and a stable connection, with the documents HMPPS asks for to hand.
  • Common mistakes: threatening consequences too early in the role play, accepting small favours in scenarios, and giving vague strengths answers.

Pay is set out in each job advert and can vary by location, so check the advert for the prison you apply to. Our interview and test training package covers situational judgement and interviews. See also police officer interview questions and our assessment centres guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tests do prison officers take?

HMPPS uses two online tests: a scenario-based test with behavioural and numerical scenarios, which takes around 25 to 40 minutes, and a values-based assessment, which takes up to 20 minutes on average and has no time limit.

What happens at the prison officer online assessment centre?

The online assessment centre takes about two and a half hours on a laptop with a webcam. It has three parts: an interview about your strengths and how you would act in specific situations, a role play with a prisoner, and a written test on two situations.

What is the prison officer role play like?

You take on the role of a prison officer interacting with a prisoner, in a situation based on real challenges in the job. Assessors look at how you communicate, stay calm, set boundaries and show care.

How long does it take to become a prison officer?

HMPPS says the process takes six to seven months on average from starting your application to your first day, depending on assessment dates, pre-employment checks and vacancies at your chosen prison.

What if I fail the online assessment centre?

HMPPS says you need to wait six months before you can re-apply as a prison officer. If you opted to be considered for an operational support grade role at the same time, you could be offered one of those roles instead.

About the author

Ingmar van Maurik is a specialist in test and interview preparation who helps candidates perform better in recruitment processes.

References