Prison Officer Training Courses

Prison Officer training courses provide vital training for some of our most important members of our correctional facilites. Prison officers are the most important part of any correctional facility, providing a safe and secure environment for all occupants. They can also play a vital role in prisoner rehabilitation and training. Because of this they must have great interpersonal skills and must be able to establish positive and effective relationships with a variety of different people. They must also be capable of maintaining a balance between authority and compassion.

Why become a prison officer?

Prison Officers provide a vital service. They both keep the prisoners safe while they are incarcerated and they also supervise and manage offenders activities. Studying to become a prison officer will enable the student to promote acceptable social behaviour and encourage offenders to address, manage and deal with their anti-social behaviour. The student will also learn techniques that will enable them to ensure that all rules, orders and instructions are followed. Prison officers can often have a huge impact on a prisoner’s life and rehabilitation and they can often be seen as a strong source of guidance for those who are incarcerated. 

The role of the prison officer

Upon completion of the preparatory courses, and upon obtaining a job in the prison service, the role of the prison officer is as follows:

• Carrying out security duties as required.
• Contributing effectively to the safe and secure custody of prisoners.
• Ensuring that all incidents are reported and dealt with effectively
• Following set procedures
• Ensuring suicide and self-harm processes are complied with
• Monitoring vulnerable prisoners appropriately
• Completing observation book entries and preparing reports as required in a timely manner.
• Encouraging prisoners to deal with personal challenges through offending behaviour programmes.
• Upholding respect for prisoners, their property, rights and dignity while applying authorised control and restraint procedures where appropriate.
• Acting as personal officer to a group of prisoners.
• Ensuring standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained.

How can I become a Prison Officer in Ireland?

In the Republic of Ireland the successful completion of a two year programme leading to the award of a Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (HCCC) is a requirement in order to become an established prison officer. There are also a number of preparatory courses available to people who wish to embark on such a career. These courses aim to help in the students’ understanding of the qualities the selection panel are looking for. These courses also provide the student with the skills needed to ensure optimum performance in the Prison Officer examination and interview. 

Skills and qualities required

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, used to prevent and diffuse difficult situations and to create a positive prison environment.
• Self-confidence to deal with all kinds of situations as and when they arise, sometimes in difficult circumstances.
• Patience in order to deal with prisoners when faced with challenging behaviour.
• Excellent teamwork skills.
• Excellent powers of observation and attention to detail.
• While on duty, a level of smartness and personal cleanliness consistent with the standards of a disciplined service.

If you feel you have what it takes to become a prison officer or to work with in the correctional facilities in any capacity there are a number of courses and preparatory courses available at all levels of education across the country.

You can find Prison Officer related courses near you at Courses.ie