The Hungarian Prison Service has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign, offering lifelong careers and stable employment opportunities to applicants, the Hungarian Prison Service Headquarters (BvOP) announced on Tuesday.
It was stated that the prison service employs approximately nine thousand workers in the country’s 32 prisons and institutions. The career opportunities offered by the organisation are extremely diverse, as are the available positions within the prisons. In addition to supervisors and reintegration officers, the prison service employs lawyers, psychologists, and healthcare professionals, among others.
It was emphasised that the salary for deputy positions ranges from a minimum gross monthly wage of 395,000 to 509,000 forints, while for officer positions, it starts at a minimum gross monthly wage of 570,000 forints, depending on the place of service and position.
In addition to the salary, professional staff members receive a yearly gross cafeteria benefit worth 200,000 forints, performance bonuses, and clothing allowance, and are also provided with discounted dental treatment, eyewear reimbursement, housing support, family support, mortgage payment assistance, employer loans, 86 per cent travel expense reimbursement, and recreational programmes for choosing a career in law enforcement.
The national recruitment campaign showcases the career model offered by the prison service at job fairs, educational exhibitions, village and city days, sports and cultural events to interested individuals.
Record Number of Incarcerations in 2022
According to data released by the National Prison Service Headquarters in March, there have never been as many people incarcerated in Hungary as at the end of last year. According to previous data available on the website of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), the lowest number of prisoners was recorded in 1990 when 12,241 individuals were incarcerated. In the past decade, the number of prisoners has ranged between 16,000 and 17,000, while in the preceding decade, it fluctuated between 14,000 and 17,000. However, at the end of last year, there were more individuals behind bars than ever before. Therefore, it is not surprising that overcrowded prisons have become more prevalent once again. According to BvOP, on 31 December, 2022, the overall occupancy rate reached 107 per cent.
