The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is proud to announce the upcoming launch of the Advance into Justice (AIJ) scheme, a dedicated recruitment initiative designed to support Armed Forces service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their spouses or civil partners in transitioning to meaningful careers within HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The AIJ scheme will launch in 2 phases:
- Phase 1 launched December 2025 and provides an opportunity for approximately 1,800 eligible applicants from our 'register your interest' to apply for roles.
- Phase 2 will launch on 19th January 2026 and will focus on marketing and promotion. During this phase, we will use job boards, work with external partners, and implement wider external marketing to increase awareness of the scheme.
What is Advance into Justice?
AIJ is a recruitment programme that recognises the transferable skills, resilience, and discipline of the Armed Forces community. It offers a dedicated route into operational roles across prisons and probation, providing tailored support throughout.
Successful applicants will be given a 2-year fixed -term appointment, under exception 2 of the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles with the opportunity to convert to permanency after completing 12 months in post.
Who is eligible for Advance into Justice?
Advance into Justice is designed to support the Armed Forces community into employment with MoJ and therefore targets Armed Forces:
- Service Leavers within their resettlement period
- Veterans
- Spouses or Legal Partners
- Reservists
Why is Advance into Justice important?
Advance into Justice has strategic importance as it shows the MoJ’s commitment to the Veterans Strategy Action Plan and the Armed Forces Covenant and has societal impact in supporting the Armed Forces community beyond just providing employment.
Additionally, it forms part of MoJ’s approach to meet the ambition that 5% of our Administrative Officer / Executive Officer or equivalent grade roles are recruited through the Going Forward into Employment pathways.
The government offers incentives to employ veterans upon their exit from the Armed Forces and hiring service leavers and veterans means the MoJ can benefit from a reduction in the amount of Employer National Insurance payable for each eligible veteran for up to 12 months employment.
What makes Advance into Justice unique?
Advance into Justice has been designed to be a scheme which supports the needs of candidates. The unique selling point of AIJ is that Service Leavers can defer their start date by up to 12 months, to align with their Armed Forces leaving date.
This takes a significant pressure and anxiety away from applicants who know they have a firm job offer to walk into when they exit the Armed Forces.
Across our website and marketing material, we have showcased current staff from across the tri-services who have found a career with the MoJ. They include Emma, an Army veteran who has found her second career as a probation officer, Paul, who after a struggle to settle after leaving the military found purpose and progressed to a Prison Custodial Manager and Holly, who found a career that provided the flexibility she needed as a military spouse. To view these stories and others, visit the AIJ website.
Applicants are supported by a dedicated team throughout the recruitment process. They are linked into the MoJ Armed Forces network and have an Armed Forces ally when they start in post.
Which roles are offered through Advance into Justice?
Advance into Justice is focussed on operational roles within prisons and probation. The skills gained within the Armed Forces community complement the key requirements of these roles and provide an environment where the Armed Forces community can thrive in a second career within our prison and probation estate across England and Wales.
AIJ offers prison officer roles across male, female and youth custody service and operational support grade roles. It also offers probation service officer, community payback supervisor and case admin roles within the Probation workforce.
Applicants can apply at any time and roles will be offered on a national basis, with applicants having the option to pick up to three job locations.
How do you apply?
Advance into Justice vacancies can be found on the Justice Jobs page and to find out more please visit the Advance into Justice website.
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