No assessment has been made of prison officers working in prisons where the youngest prisoners are aged 21 or over, nor has this been raised formally as an issue. Out of a total of 25,303 prison officers, only 83 (0.3 per cent.) are below the age of 21.
The recruitment process for prison officers is by way of a job simulation assessment centre to assess that candidates are competent to undertake the role. If they are successful in the assessment process, they are deemed capable to work in any prison establishment.
The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, which came in to force on 1 October 2006, outlaw the use of minimum recruitment ages unless they can be objectively justified.
While on duty, prison officers hold the powers of a constable and currently share a common minimum recruitment age of 18 with the police services.
The minimum age requirement for prison officers was first reduced from 21 to 20 years in 1987.