We know successful candidates need strong interpersonal skills, quick thinking, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. But are our recruitment processes, especially role-playing exercises, fully suited to prepare young applicants?

Some role-play scenarios involve actors who may shout or throw chairs nearby—but not at—the candidate. These exercises are designed to reflect challenging situations that can occur in prisons. However, it raises an important question: is it fair to expect 19-, 20-, or 21-year-olds—many of whom may never have experienced such situations—to know how to manage them immediately?

Providing preparation and guidance before these assessments could help candidates demonstrate their true potential. Stress or fear during these exercises may prevent capable individuals from progressing, even though they could become excellent officers with the right support and development.

To our experienced colleagues who follow this page: we all started somewhere. Young people bring energy, new perspectives, and valuable ideas to the service. While life experience can help with conflict management, when it comes to fitness, stamina, and responding quickly to emergencies, younger recruits often bring strong advantages.

Young joiners should be welcomed, mentored, and supported through shadowing and guided experience. Let’s look after each other and don’t make young people feel guilty because they are young.

Please share your thoughts on how we can better support young recruits in the comments below.

Photo: HMPPS