In a statement, the Ministry of Justice (MJ) states that the agreement signed with minister Rita Alarcão Júdice stipulates a reduction from 21 to 18 years old for entry into a career as a prison guard and maximum increase from 28 to 35 years, “in this way expanding the number of candidates and the recruitment base”.
The age to enter the prison guard career was reduced to 18 years old and increased to 35 years old, the Ministry of Justice indicated this Wednesday, adding that overtime will be paid in full to these professionals.
These changes are contained in an agreement signed this Wednesday between the Ministry of Justice and the National Union of the Prison Guard Corps (SNCGP), the Union Association of Heads of the Prison Guard Corps (ASCCGP) and the Union Association of Professionals of the Prison Guard Corps (ASPCGP), which provides for the valorization of the careers of that professional class, now with the application of three measures that unions consider fundamental.
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice (MJ) states that the agreement signed this Wednesday with minister Rita Alarcão Júdice stipulates a reduction from 21 to 18 years old for entry into a career as a prison guard and maximum increase from 28 to 35 years, “in this way expanding the number of candidates and the recruitment base”says the MJ.
“We take another important step in valuing the professionals of the Prison Guard Corps”
With this change, the minimum and maximum age for entry into the prison guard career is now identical to that for admission for PSP agents. According to the ministry, the agreement also establishes the payment of additional work hours provided by Prison Guard Corps workers beyond the established duration limits, “in duly justified cases and, exceptionally, whenever this proves necessary to guarantee security in prison establishments”.
Another measure is greater simplification and speed in recruitment processes, in order to adapt admission and training to the demands of the current social context, with the adaptation of the previous ordinance.
“Today we take another important step in the valorization of professionals from the Prison Guard Corps”, says the MJ, adding that “this result is the result of a negotiation effort from all parties and represents a strong impulse to reinforce and rejuvenate the prison guard staff and to make the career more attractive”.
In the note, the Minister of Justice emphasizes that this commitment is “another sign of the importance given by the Ministry of Justice and the Government to the prison system”.
The ministry adds that it is working, together with the General Directorate of Reinsertion and Prison Services, on a multi-annual plan (2026-2029) of recruitment and promotions for careers in the Prison Guard Corps, in order to guarantee its increase and rejuvenation, as well as maintaining high levels of readiness and operational effectiveness, in accordance with the commitment made in the Government program.
This agreement, which had already been announced on Tuesday by the National Union of the Prison Guard Corps (SNCGP), led to the union structure withdrawing its adherence to the December 11 general strike, as its president, Frederico Morais, told Lusa.
