Application Process

To get started, we ask for some basic details from you. This includes contact information and confirmation that you meet our minimum eligibility requirements. You also have the opportunity to provide information on any adjustments you may need throughout the process.

Before registering, please check your eligibility by reading our entry requirements. We also advise that you complete our practice prison scenario test to give you more insight into the role and to prepare for the Test Your Judgement activity.

Please note that when applications are open we recruit on a rolling basis, so we recommend getting started as soon as you can with the process and getting the Test Your Judgement activity submitted to maximise your chances.

We know that a test can sound quite intimidating, but this is a real chance to get insight into what life is like on the programme. Each scenario is animated to give you an engaging, visual guide of the situation.

We recommend that you complete the test in a quiet space where you can concentrate and make sure the sound is enabled on your device.

Please read the instructions carefully and make sure you indicate the action that you would most likely and least likely take in each situation. Remember, we are interested in your potential to be a great prison officer, so go with your instinct. Once you have completed the activity, you will hear back from us within a week regarding the next stage of the process.

Before completing the judgement activity, you can try the example scenario test first. This will give you the chance to practice for the first stage of the assessment process. Read some more hints and tips about the application process.

The judgement activity provides you with some insight into the scenarios you will be faced with in the role and asks you to make a hypothetical decision on how you would act. This is assessing your ability to respond to incidents and display our attributes in your actions.

When you click on the link to start the written section you will need to answer four questions, each linked to a key attribute. The maximum word limit for each answer is 250 words, with a minimum of 100 words. The application will take around 45 minutes to complete.

Please take note of the guidance in the email you receive before completing the written application. This is a great opportunity to highlight your past experiences, really demonstrate your motivation for the programme and why tell us why you believe in our mission.

We run regular drop in sessions throughout our application season where you can gather hints and tips from the recruitment team. We will send you an email to book in when you get to this stage. Make sure to check your emails regularly. If for any reason you are unable to access the written application page please contact hello@unlockedgrads.org.uk

The assessment centre will take approximately 3-4 hours. You will be evaluated against the Unlocked attributes by our team of trained assessors, including experienced prison officers and ex-prisoners. Throughout the day we will also be looking for evidence of your professional conduct and time management.

At the assessment centre you will complete a number of activities. These are designed to assess you against the attributes that we look for in candidates and also to give you an insight into the role of a prison officer and the Unlocked Graduates programme. You are not required to have any prior knowledge of the prison system in order to be successful at our assessment centre. Activities will include the following:

Interview: 
An interview based around our attributes and some prison-based scenarios. You will normally be interviewed by a prison officer and an ex-prisoner.

Group Task: 
A group task in which you discuss a potential project or situation in a prison based on a brief you will read before the task. You will normally be in a group of three to six people.

Practice Scenario: 
A practice scenario with an actor playing the role of a prisoner and you acting as the prison officer. You will be briefed before beginning this activity on the situation and what is expected of you. There will also be a self-reflection element to this activity.

If you are invited to the assessment centre, you will need to provide the following:

1. A passport-style photograph of yourself
2. Your passport or other document to prove your right to work in the UK
3. Two additional identity verification documents – you will be provided with a list of what documents are required in the email invite to the assessment centre

The assessment centre is the final stage of the process, and you will find out within two weeks of attending if you have been successful. If you do not hear from us within two weeks do not hesitate to contact us.