All people who wish to work for the Department are subject to criminal records checks as part of the National Security Vetting (NSV). The Department does not keep figures on how many former prisoners it employs and such staff cannot be distinguished from all other staff who are successfully cleared to work. Obtaining this information could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.
The policy is that potentially suitable candidates for employment who have a criminal record will not automatically be ruled out from employment with the Home Office. Each candidate is considered on an individual basis, including consideration of severity and timing of convictions.