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| Career Development |
Internal Conversion Programme for Prison Service Staff wishing to become Prison Officers
Scope
The internal conversion programme allows staff to become prison officers without going through external recruitment. Governing Governors and Area Managers may run conversion programmes either for particular establishments or for an area.
To be eligible staff must:
- Have been recruited through fair and open competition. This includes staff appointed on fixed term contracts and casual staff who have been recruited through fair and open competition and have completed a minimum of six months service during which time their performance, attendance and conduct have been considered satisfactory
- Have completed probation (see above for casual)
- Have corrected eyesight of Snellen 6/12 or better in both eyes
- Be aged between 18 and 62
Process
Advertising may be restricted to the local establishment or area. Alternatively, the conversion programme may be advertised nationally using the Vacancy Advertising Scheme.
Those applying must complete the standard Internal Conversion Programme application form. In order to proceed, the application must be supported by the Governing Governor or Head of Group, including confirmation of satisfactory performance, attendance and conduct. Where a Governing Governor of Head of Group does not approve the application, the applicant must be informed of the reasons why.
The selection process is the same as for external recruitment including:
- PORT
- JSAC
- Health Screening
- Fitness testing
Further information on Prison Officer selection and necessary security clearance and other checks on posting is available on the Recruitment Website and the Security Vetting Website.
A waiting list of successful candidates may be held for a maximum of twelve months.
Normal vacancy advertising scheme release periods apply.
On conversion to prison officer the member of staff becomes subject to the terms and condition of service of that grade and must be issued with the standard conversion programme appointment letter. Leave entitlement will be that of a prison officer but taking into account the member of staff's existing seniority date for leave purposes. Advice on terms and conditions of service issues, including starting pay, is obtainable from Pay and Employee Relations Group. Unless approved by the Area Manager, postings are at the individual's own expense.
Staff successful on the conversion programme are not subject to a further period of probation but rather, are subject to normal performance management procedures (incl. poor performance where necessary) applying to all staff. It is therefore important that relevant training, support and guidance is provided and staff attend a POELT course.
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