Pre-Employment Checks

All new entrants to the Scottish Prison Service are subject to pre-employment checks prior to their appointment being confirmed. 

Due to the nature of our organisation, the standards required can be higher than those expected in other employment types. 

An offer of employment cannot be confirmed until all checks have been completed to a satisfactory standard. 

As a Civil Service organisation, all new entrants will be subject to checks in line with Baseline Personnel Security Standards. Further information can be found here.

Boardroom in Low Moss

  • Prior to appointment, all new entrants will be asked to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK. As a Civil Service organisation, new entrants must also be eligible to work within the Civil Service. Further information can be sought here.

  • You will be asked to provide identification which will photo identification. This will include proof of your name, address and date of birth. 

  • You will be asked to provide evidence of your employment history for the preceding three years. This may consist of employer references and HMRC checks.

  • All new entrants to the Scottish Prison Service will be subject to Criminal Records checks. 

    If you are applying for a psychology role, you will be required to undertake a PVG check.

    For all other roles, new entrants will be required to undertake a Level 2 Disclosure Scotland check. 

    On receipt of your check, any convictions noted will be checked against our Criminal Convictions Eligibility criteria. Please see more information here.

  • You will be asked to provide details of two character references that may be contacted for a character reference. 

  • If you have resided overseas for a period exceeding six-months in the past three-years, you will be asked to provide supporting evidence. This will include;

    • Overseas employment references
    • Proof of residence overseas
    • Official and verifiable overseas police certificates obtained from the country of residence overseas

  • All new entrants will be subject to an occupational health referral prior to commencing employment. The nature of the medical will depend on the role you have applied for. Further information can be found here.

  • Those applying to join the Scottish Prison Service as a Prison Officer will be subject to a Fitness Test. This test is to assess functional capability for the work of a Prison Officer. 

    • Aerobic Run 

      • The run will take place on a treadmill. You will need to run a distance of 600 metres at 6.4mph or 10.3km/hr in 3 minutes and 45 seconds (this includes 15 seconds to get up to speed).

       

    • Grip Strength
      • You will carry out a grip strength test using a dynamometer. You'll do this using both your dominant and non-dominant hand. The standards required are:
        • Dominant hand - 32kgf 

        • Non-dominant hand - 30kgf

           

    • Dyno 2 Seated
      • You'll undertake a seated Bench Press and Bench Pull. The standards required are:
        • Push - 34k

        • Pull - 34k

           

    • Shield Hold
      • You'll undertake a shield hold test. You'll be required to hold a 120cm shield using both hands for one minute. 

     

    If you are unsuccessful in your first attempt at the fitness test, you will be given one further opportunity to undertake the test.