Minister Jim O’Callaghan launches new Prison Officer recruitment campaign and new Virtual Prison Tour experience goes live
- Published on: 4 July 2025
- Last updated on: 4 July 2025
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has launched the 2025 recruitment campaign for the Irish Prison Service.
The target number for new recruits this year is 300 with the competition being conducted through publicjobs on behalf of the Irish Prison Service.
The Minister is also pleased to launch the Virtual Prison Tour: a new web-based innovative tool that allows visitors, service users, and the wider public to see inside an Irish Prison, guided by a digitally created Prison Officer. This project aims to increase public understanding of how our prisons function and operate on a day-to-day basis.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said:
“Prison Officers are a cornerstone of the criminal justice system, and I look forward to welcoming the new recruits of 2025. I am very pleased to launch this year’s recruitment campaign which is a key part of a much wider investment by government in our prison system.
“Prisons not only provide a secure environment and act as a deterrent, but through the dedication and compassion that prison officers also provide to offenders, prisons are a place for rehabilitation and education.
“The government is committed to ensuring that all prison officers are enabled and equipped to do their jobs to a high standard in a workplace where they feel safe and protected.
“I am also pleased to launch the Virtual Prison Tour. This innovative project will greatly enhance the public’s understanding of how our prisons operate. It can also serve as a positive recruitment tool to provide those contemplating a career as a prison officer with the ability to tour their future workplace.”
Caron McCaffrey, Director General of the Irish Prison Service, added:
“The Recruit Prison Officer campaign is a vital opportunity to attract individuals who are committed to public service and rehabilitation, and who will play a central role in maintaining safe and secure prison environments. The incredible work of Prison Officers is complex and often hidden from public view, but our annual competition and the launch of the virtual tour allow us the opportunity to let the public see the teamwork, integrity, potential, safety and support that Prison Officers not only offer to prisoners, but to their colleagues as well.
"I wish to commend all those involved in delivering the Virtual Tour, an innovative and informative project that highlights the professionalism and dedication of our staff across the prison estate.These initiatives are key steps in strengthening public understanding of our work and attracting committed individuals to a challenging yet rewarding career.”
The 2024 recruitment campaign attracted more than 1500 applicants resulting in 271 prison officers joining the Irish Prison Service. The 2025 Recruit Prison Officer Competition will remain open until 1 August 2025.
Information on the competition and how to apply, and to access the tour can be found on the Irish Prison Service website at https://www.irishprisons.ie/
Notes
Applications will be accepted online through publicjobs official website [https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/] starting from 4 July 2025.
Eligible candidates will undergo a comprehensive selection process, including written assessments, physical fitness tests, interviews, and background checks.
Successful candidates will receive extensive training and mentorship to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge required for the role.
The competition will culminate in the selection of a number of candidates who will be offered positions as prison officers within the Irish Prison Service.
Prison Officer training is accredited by South-East Technological University (SETU) as the Higher Certificate of Arts in Custodial Care and reflects Level 6 of the NQAI framework. South-East Technological University was formed from the amalgamation of two existing institutes of technology in the region - Waterford IT and IT Carlow.
Virtual Prison Tour
The Virtual tour initiative arose from discussions with stakeholders from the Department of Justice on the Criminal Justice Sectoral Strategy 2022 – 2024. The Criminal Justice Sectoral Strategy set out a vision of a joined-up criminal justice system that protects human rights, builds public confidence and trust, and works together to improve efficiency and the experience of those who rely on us to support a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland.
One of the strategic pillars within the strategy document was Increasing Public Understanding of the various stakeholders or sections within the wider Department of Justice. The Prison Service was tasked with identifying a mechanism to increase public awareness and understanding of the Irish Prison System.
The aim of this project was to create an interactive web-based virtual tool that guides users through an Irish Prison Service location. This virtual tool provides users with overlaid audio-visual information on what to expect when you visit a Prison location. The current scope of this project is to develop 360° tours in one Irish Prison Service location.
The primary objective of this initiative is to deliver an informative and educational virtual tour that broadens public understanding while strictly safeguarding all security-sensitive aspects of the prison. Every detail is carefully curated to ensure that no confidential or operational security information is compromised. Additionally, the tour is designed to ease visitor apprehension by providing a realistic yet controlled preview of the prison environment, fostering awareness without jeopardizing internal security protocols.
It will also provide an intuitive and straightforward user journey, reducing the complexity of navigating the physical prison space. The tour has been prepared to a high-quality virtual tour that is both engaging and informative. The priority is to approach the project with user-experience, accessibility, and content ensuring that the virtual tour serves as a bridge between the IPS and the community it serves.