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Prison Officer (UK) study materials
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Prison Officer (UK) practice questions

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Question 1Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer notices a prisoner becoming agitated and clenching his fists during a routine conversation. According to recognised de-escalation practice, what should the officer do first?

  1. Continue the conversation as normal to avoid drawing attention
  2. Immediately call for a full cell extraction team
  3. Use calm, non-threatening communication and create space Correct answer.
  4. Raise their voice to assert authority over the prisoner

Explanation

De-escalation begins with calm communication, maintaining a safe distance and avoiding provocative body language. Early verbal techniques aim to reduce arousal before physical intervention is considered. Physical force is a last resort once other options have failed or risk is immediate.

Question 2Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner tells an officer that another prisoner has threatened to harm him later that day. What is the most appropriate immediate response?

  1. Tell the prisoner to sort it out between themselves
  2. Record the information and take steps to protect the prisoner, such as separation or monitoring Correct answer.
  3. Advise the prisoner to stay in his cell and say nothing
  4. Promise the prisoner that the other person will be moved to another prison

Explanation

Information suggesting a risk of harm must be acted upon to protect safety, typically through recording, assessment and measures such as separation or increased observation. Officers should never dismiss threats or make promises they cannot keep.

Question 3Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

During a search of a prisoner's cell, an officer finds a mobile phone hidden inside a mattress. What is the correct initial action?

  1. Confiscate it and report the find through the proper procedure Correct answer.
  2. Return it to the prisoner and issue a warning
  3. Leave it in place and monitor to see who uses it
  4. Destroy it immediately to prevent further use

Explanation

Contraband must be seized and recorded through the established reporting process so it can be investigated and any intelligence acted upon. Destroying or ignoring finds undermines security and accountability.

Question 4Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner approaches an officer and asks to make a formal complaint about how he was treated during a search. What should the officer do?

  1. Tell the prisoner that complaints about searches are not accepted
  2. Explain the complaints process and ensure the prisoner can access it Correct answer.
  3. Persuade the prisoner to drop the complaint to avoid paperwork
  4. Handle the complaint informally without recording it

Explanation

Prisoners have a right to raise complaints, and staff should facilitate access to the formal process without obstruction. Discouraging or suppressing complaints is improper and undermines accountability.

Question 5Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is offered money by a prisoner's associate to bring in a package on the next shift. What is the correct course of action?

  1. Negotiate a smaller payment to test the associate's intent
  2. Ignore the offer and continue working as normal
  3. Accept the money but do not deliver the package
  4. Refuse, report the approach immediately and make a written record Correct answer.

Explanation

Any approach involving corruption or contraband must be refused and reported at once, with a written record to protect integrity and enable investigation. Accepting or ignoring such offers is a serious disciplinary and criminal matter.

Question 6Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

Two prisoners are arguing loudly in a communal area and a crowd is beginning to gather. What should the officer prioritise?

  1. Film the incident on a personal phone
  2. Join the argument to establish who is at fault
  3. Separate the individuals and disperse the onlookers to reduce risk Correct answer.
  4. Wait for the situation to resolve without intervening

Explanation

Reducing the audience and separating those in conflict lowers the risk of a wider disturbance and physical harm. Officers should act early to control the environment rather than become involved in the dispute.

Question 7Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner discloses that he has been self-harming and has thoughts of suicide. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Listen, take it seriously and escalate immediately through the ACCT/suicide prevention process Correct answer.
  2. Reassure him that such thoughts usually pass and take no further action
  3. Tell him to report it at the next scheduled healthcare appointment
  4. Move him to a shared cell without informing anyone

Explanation

Disclosures of self-harm or suicidal thoughts must be taken seriously and escalated promptly through the established assessment, care and monitoring process. Delay or dismissal risks a preventable death.

Question 8Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

Which principle best describes the proportionate use of force by prison staff?

  1. Force is permitted only with the governor's written approval in every case
  2. Force is only lawful when necessary, reasonable and proportionate to the risk Correct answer.
  3. Force may be used whenever an officer feels disrespected
  4. Force may be used to punish prisoners for rule breaches

Explanation

Force must be lawful, necessary, reasonable and proportionate to the threat, and used only as a last resort. It is never a means of punishment. Authorisation requirements vary but the core test is necessity and proportionality.

Question 9Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner with limited English appears not to understand the conditions of his licence or prison rules being explained. What should the officer do?

  1. Confirm understanding and arrange an interpreter or translated materials Correct answer.
  2. Speak more loudly and repeat the same words
  3. Ask another prisoner to translate sensitive legal information
  4. Assume he understands and move on

Explanation

Effective communication requires checking understanding and using interpreting services or translated materials where language is a barrier. Using untrained prisoners for sensitive translation risks inaccuracy and confidentiality breaches.

Question 10Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer suspects a colleague is using excessive force on a prisoner. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Intervene to stop any ongoing harm and report the concern through the proper channel Correct answer.
  2. Wait to see if the prisoner makes a complaint
  3. Confront the colleague publicly in front of prisoners
  4. Say nothing to avoid conflict with the colleague

Explanation

Staff have a duty to intervene to prevent harm and to report concerns about excessive force through the appropriate reporting route. Silence or delay allows abuse to continue and breaches professional standards.

Question 11Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner refuses to return to his cell and stands blocking the landing. What is the best first step?

  1. Leave him on the landing until he decides to move
  2. Engage verbally to establish the reason and encourage compliance Correct answer.
  3. Threaten loss of privileges as the only response
  4. Physically drag him to the cell immediately

Explanation

Verbal engagement to understand and resolve the refusal should be attempted before force is considered. Physical intervention is a last resort when other approaches fail or risk is immediate.

Question 12Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

During a cell search, an officer finds what appears to be a concealed weapon. What is the priority?

  1. Ask the prisoner to explain before securing it
  2. Put it in a pocket and deal with it at the end of the shift
  3. Secure the item safely and alert colleagues to ensure safety before continuing Correct answer.
  4. Photograph it for social media

Explanation

A suspected weapon presents an immediate danger, so the priority is to secure it safely and ensure staff and prisoner safety before further action. Evidence handling and reporting follow once the scene is safe.

Question 13Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner asks an officer for confidential advice about a family bereavement. How should the officer respond?

  1. Promise to keep it entirely secret from all staff
  2. Dismiss the request as outside the officer's role
  3. Listen with empathy, offer appropriate support and signpost to welfare or chaplaincy services Correct answer.
  4. Share the details with other prisoners to gain sympathy

Explanation

Officers should respond with empathy and connect prisoners to appropriate support services. Absolute secrecy cannot be promised where there are safeguarding or security concerns, but sensitive information should be handled discreetly.

Question 14Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is asked to complete a report about an incident but is unsure of some details. What is the correct approach?

  1. Guess the missing details to make the report complete
  2. Leave the report blank until memory returns
  3. Record only what was actually observed and clearly note any uncertainty Correct answer.
  4. Copy another officer's report to save time

Explanation

Reports must be accurate and honest, distinguishing between what was observed and what is uncertain. Fabricating or copying details undermines integrity and can jeopardise investigations.

Question 15Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner is found with unauthorised medication that may have been brought in by another prisoner. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Flush it down the toilet without recording
  2. Give it to another prisoner who says he needs it
  3. Seize it, record the find and refer the matter for investigation Correct answer.
  4. Allow him to keep it if he says it is prescribed

Explanation

Unauthorised medication is contraband and must be seized, recorded and investigated, with healthcare consulted where relevant. Redistribution or disposal without recording is unsafe and breaches procedure.

Question 16Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer witnesses a prisoner being bullied by a group in a workshop. What is the most effective response?

  1. Move the victim without addressing the bullies
  2. Intervene to stop the behaviour, support the victim and report it for investigation Correct answer.
  3. Ignore it as part of prison life
  4. Tell the victim to fight back

Explanation

Bullying must be challenged, victims supported and incidents reported so patterns can be addressed. Only moving the victim fails to tackle the perpetrators and may simply relocate the problem.

Question 17Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer receives information from a prisoner about planned contraband being thrown over the perimeter. What should the officer do?

  1. Ignore it because it came from a prisoner
  2. Record and pass the intelligence promptly to the appropriate team Correct answer.
  3. Keep the information to themselves until sure it is true
  4. Confront the prisoner who provided the information in public

Explanation

Intelligence, whatever its source, should be recorded and passed promptly to the team responsible so it can be assessed and acted upon. Publicly confronting an informant endangers them and dries up future information.

Question 18Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner in segregation appears withdrawn and is refusing meals. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Monitor closely, record concerns and escalate to healthcare and management Correct answer.
  2. Assume it is attention-seeking and take no action
  3. Wait until the next scheduled review in several weeks
  4. Remove his remaining privileges as a deterrent

Explanation

Withdrawal and refusal of meals in segregation are risk indicators requiring close monitoring and prompt escalation to healthcare and management. Delay or punitive responses risk deterioration and harm.

Question 19Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is asked by a prisoner to pass a letter to a family member outside the prison. What is the correct response?

  1. Agree as a favour if the letter is unsealed
  2. Pass it on but read it first
  3. Decline and explain the proper channels for correspondence Correct answer.
  4. Post it anonymously to avoid detection

Explanation

Correspondence must go through authorised channels so it can be checked in line with security rules. Using personal favours bypasses safeguards and breaches integrity.

Question 20Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner with a known history of violence is being moved to a new wing. What should the receiving staff prioritise?

  1. Placing him in the busiest cell to keep him occupied
  2. Treating him the same as every other prisoner with no special measures
  3. Sharing relevant risk information and completing an appropriate assessment before placement Correct answer.
  4. Announcing his history to the whole wing

Explanation

Effective risk management requires sharing relevant information and assessing risk so appropriate placement and monitoring can be arranged. Announcing histories publicly is unsafe and breaches confidentiality.

Question 21Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

Two officers disagree about whether a prisoner's behaviour warrants a formal adjudication or an informal warning. What is the best way to resolve this?

  1. Flip a coin to keep it fair
  2. Discuss the facts against policy and procedures to reach a consistent, defensible decision Correct answer.
  3. Let the prisoner choose which he prefers
  4. The more senior officer decides without discussion

Explanation

Decisions should be based on the facts and applicable policy so they are consistent and defensible. Discussion between staff improves accuracy and fairness rather than relying on rank alone or chance.

Question 22Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer notices a colleague has formed an overly familiar relationship with a prisoner, exchanging personal gifts. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Ignore it because it is a personal matter
  2. Join in to build rapport with the prisoner
  3. Confront the prisoner and blame him for the relationship
  4. Report the concern through the appropriate channel to protect integrity Correct answer.

Explanation

Over-familiar relationships and gifts breach professional boundaries and can lead to manipulation or corruption, so concerns must be reported. Ignoring or joining in compounds the risk.

Question 23Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner claims he is being denied his legal rights to communicate with his solicitor. What should the officer do?

  1. Verify the rules and facilitate lawful legal communication Correct answer.
  2. Tell him legal correspondence is not permitted
  3. Read the legal correspondence aloud to other prisoners
  4. Delay the request indefinitely to test his patience

Explanation

Prisoners retain rights to lawful legal communication, and staff must know and apply the rules that govern it. Obstructing or publicising legal correspondence is unlawful and improper.

Question 24Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

During a serious disturbance, an officer must decide whether to use force to prevent injury to others. Which consideration is most important?

  1. Whether force is necessary and proportionate to prevent imminent harm Correct answer.
  2. Whether the officer personally dislikes the prisoner involved
  3. Whether using force will look good in the report
  4. Whether other staff are watching

Explanation

The lawful test is whether force is necessary and proportionate to prevent imminent harm, applied objectively. Personal feelings or appearances are irrelevant to that assessment.

Question 25Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is unsure whether a particular item is permitted in a prisoner's cell. What is the most reliable approach?

  1. Check the current local rules and authorised property list before deciding Correct answer.
  2. Allow it to avoid a complaint
  3. Use personal judgement and allow it if it seems harmless
  4. Ask the prisoner whether it is allowed

Explanation

Decisions about permitted property should be based on current local rules and authorised lists, not guesswork or the prisoner's own account. Consistency and accuracy protect security and fairness.

Question 26Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is supervising prisoners in the visits hall when a visitor passes a small package to a prisoner. What should the officer do first?

  1. Wait until the visit ends and then search the prisoner's cell
  2. Note the visitor's details and report it after the visit
  3. Ask the prisoner to hand the package over once the visitor has left
  4. Intervene immediately to stop the handover and secure the item Correct answer.

Explanation

Preventing contraband from entering circulation is the immediate priority, so staff should intervene at the point of transfer and secure the item. Delaying action allows the item to be concealed or passed on. The item must be recovered and the incident recorded afterwards.

Question 27Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner tells an officer that another prisoner has threatened to harm him if he does not hand over his canteen purchases. What is the most appropriate first action?

  1. Confront the alleged perpetrator in front of other prisoners
  2. Record the allegation and take steps to protect the prisoner while it is investigated Correct answer.
  3. Tell the prisoner to sort it out himself to avoid appearing weak
  4. Move the prisoner to segregation immediately without further assessment

Explanation

Allegations of intimidation must be taken seriously, recorded, and addressed with protective measures while the matter is investigated. This balances the safety of the prisoner with a fair process. Confrontation or dismissal risks escalation and further harm.

Question 28Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is asked to carry out a routine cell search. Which approach best reflects correct practice?

  1. Search without recording it to avoid paperwork and maintain rapport
  2. Rely on a visual check to save time during busy periods
  3. Follow the authorised search procedure and record the search and its outcomes Correct answer.
  4. Search only the areas the prisoner agrees to have searched

Explanation

Searches must be carried out in accordance with authorised procedures and properly recorded, so that they are lawful, consistent, and auditable. Consent is not the basis for routine searching, and thoroughness matters for safety and security.

Question 29Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner approaches an officer and says he wants to make a formal complaint about how he was treated during a previous search. What should the officer do?

  1. Explain the complaints process and help him access it without discouraging him Correct answer.
  2. Persuade the prisoner that a complaint is unnecessary
  3. Tell him to raise it verbally with the officer involved
  4. Refuse to assist because the complaint concerns another officer

Explanation

Prisoners have a right to raise complaints, and staff should facilitate access to the formal process without discouraging or obstructing it. Handling complaints through proper channels supports fairness and accountability. Staff should not pressure a prisoner to drop a legitimate concern.

Question 30Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer notices that a prisoner with a known history of self-harm has become withdrawn and is isolating from others. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Note the change and share the concern through the appropriate welfare and safety channels Correct answer.
  2. Tell other prisoners to keep an eye on him
  3. Move him to a different wing without discussing it with anyone
  4. Respect his privacy and take no action unless he asks for help

Explanation

Changes in behaviour in prisoners with a known risk history should be recognised and shared through the proper welfare and safety processes so that appropriate support can be arranged. This is a shared responsibility across staff. Ignoring warning signs or delegating to other prisoners is unsafe.

Question 31Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer finds a prisoner has written and posted a letter containing information that could endanger another prisoner. What should the officer do?

  1. Read the letter aloud to the prisoner as a warning
  2. Remove the letter, follow the interception procedure, and record and report it appropriately Correct answer.
  3. Destroy the letter quietly to avoid attention
  4. Let the letter go and mention it to a colleague later

Explanation

Correspondence that poses a risk to safety or security should be intercepted under the proper procedure and reported so that the risk can be managed. Recording the action ensures accountability. Destroying or ignoring it fails to address the danger.

Question 32Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner asks an officer what will happen at an upcoming adjudication hearing. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Tell him the outcome depends on whether he pleads guilty
  2. Predict the likely outcome so the prisoner feels reassured
  3. Say it is not the officer's job to discuss hearings
  4. Explain the process neutrally and direct him to sources of advice and representation Correct answer.

Explanation

Staff should explain procedures accurately and neutrally and ensure prisoners can access advice and representation. Predicting outcomes or implying pressure undermines the fairness of the process. Refusing to engage is unhelpful when a neutral explanation is possible.

Question 33Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is dealing with a prisoner who is becoming increasingly agitated and clenching his fists. What is the best initial approach?

  1. Physically restrain him before he can act
  2. Shout to assert authority and deter further escalation
  3. Walk away and leave him unsupervised
  4. Use calm communication, give clear space, and seek to de-escalate Correct answer.

Explanation

De-escalation through calm communication and giving space is the preferred first response to rising agitation, reducing the risk of harm. Force is a last resort and must be proportionate. Leaving an agitated prisoner unsupervised creates risk.

Question 34Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is asked to share information about a prisoner's health with a prisoner on the same wing who claims to be a friend. What should the officer do?

  1. Confirm only whether the prisoner is well or unwell
  2. Pass on the information but ask the friend to keep it to himself
  3. Share limited details because the prisoner says he is concerned
  4. Decline to share any personal information and explain confidentiality Correct answer.

Explanation

Information about a prisoner's health is personal and confidential, and staff must not disclose it to other prisoners regardless of claimed friendship. Confidentiality protects the individual and maintains trust in the service. A clear, polite refusal is the correct response.

Question 35Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

During a roll check, an officer cannot account for one prisoner. What should the officer do first?

  1. Assume the prisoner is at an appointment and continue the roll
  2. Immediately report the discrepancy and follow the missing prisoner procedure Correct answer.
  3. Search the prisoner's cell alone before telling anyone
  4. Complete the roll and check the discrepancy at the end of the shift

Explanation

An unaccounted prisoner is a potential security incident, so the discrepancy must be reported immediately and the missing prisoner procedure followed. Early reporting enables a coordinated response. Delaying or investigating alone wastes critical time.

Question 36Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is offered a small gift by a prisoner's family member at the end of a visit. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Accept it and record it only if the prisoner later asks for a favour
  2. Accept it if it is of low value and not linked to any request
  3. Politely decline and report the offer in line with the gifts and hospitality policy Correct answer.
  4. Accept it but share it with colleagues so no one is favoured

Explanation

Accepting gifts from prisoners or their families creates a risk of improper influence and is governed by a formal policy. The correct approach is to decline politely and report the offer. Conditional acceptance still compromises integrity.

Question 37Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is told by a prisoner that he intends to harm a member of staff when he is next unlocked. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Keep the information to himself to avoid causing trouble
  2. Warn the named staff member privately but take no further action
  3. Confront the prisoner and demand he retract the threat
  4. Report the threat immediately through the proper channels so it can be assessed and managed Correct answer.

Explanation

A credible threat to staff safety must be reported immediately so that a proper risk assessment and protective measures can be put in place. Sharing information through the correct channels protects staff and others. Handling it informally or confronting the prisoner risks harm.

Question 38Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer is supervising a prisoner who is subject to a restricted regime and asks to attend an education class. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Refuse automatically because of the restricted status
  2. Check the conditions of the regime and follow the authorised process for any variation Correct answer.
  3. Allow attendance because education is always beneficial
  4. Ask other prisoners whether they think he should attend

Explanation

Restricted regimes carry specific conditions that must be followed, and any change must go through the authorised process. This balances the prisoner's access to activities with the reasons for the restriction. Individual staff cannot simply override or ignore the regime.

Question 39Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

An officer sees a prisoner slip something into another prisoner's cell during association. What is the most appropriate course of action?

  1. Tell the prisoner whose cell it is to remove the item himself
  2. Ignore it because it may be a harmless exchange
  3. Note what was seen, report it, and follow the procedure for searching the cell Correct answer.
  4. Search the cell immediately without informing anyone

Explanation

Observed suspicious activity should be recorded and reported so that a proper search and investigation can follow. This preserves the integrity of the process and the safety of staff. Acting alone without reporting or delegating to prisoners is inappropriate.

Question 40Situational judgement and decision-making in a custodial setting

A prisoner tells an officer he is being pressured to carry a mobile phone into the prison for others. What is the most appropriate first step?

  1. Warn him that he will be punished if a phone is found
  2. Take the disclosure seriously, record it, and refer it through the appropriate security process Correct answer.
  3. Search his cell immediately without discussing the disclosure
  4. Tell him to refuse and say no more about it

Explanation

A disclosure about pressure to bring in contraband is valuable intelligence and should be recorded and referred through the proper security process so the risk can be assessed and managed. This also protects the prisoner. Dismissing or threatening him discourages cooperation and leaves the risk unaddressed.

Question 41Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A prison wing holds 120 inmates. During a roll check, 15% are recorded as being in the healthcare unit. How many inmates are in the healthcare unit?

  1. 20
  2. 12
  3. 18 Correct answer.
  4. 15

Explanation

To find a percentage of a quantity, convert the percentage to a decimal and multiply: 15% = 0.15, and 0.15 × 120 = 18.

Question 42Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A prisoner's sentence is 8 years. After serving 3 years and 6 months, how many months remain?

  1. 42 months
  2. 54 months Correct answer.
  3. 48 months
  4. 66 months

Explanation

Convert the whole sentence to months: 8 × 12 = 96 months. Subtract the time served (3 × 12 + 6 = 42 months) to get 96 − 42 = 54 months.

Question 43Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A prison has 480 inmates and 60 officers on shift. What is the ratio of inmates to officers in its simplest form?

  1. 4:1
  2. 1:8
  3. 6:1
  4. 8:1 Correct answer.

Explanation

Divide both parts by their highest common factor. 480 ÷ 60 = 8, so the ratio simplifies to 8:1.

Question 44Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A canteen spends £2.40 per inmate per day on food. For 250 inmates over 14 days, what is the total food cost?

  1. £8,400 Correct answer.
  2. £6,000
  3. £3,360
  4. £840

Explanation

Multiply the daily rate by the number of inmates and the number of days: 2.40 × 250 = 600 per day, and 600 × 14 = 8,400.

Question 45Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A roll count reads 342, 348, 351 and 339 across four checks. What is the mean count?

  1. 348
  2. 351
  3. 342
  4. 345 Correct answer.

Explanation

Add the values to get 1,380, then divide by the number of checks (4): 1,380 ÷ 4 = 345.

Question 46Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A prisoner completes 3/8 of a 24-month programme. How many months have been completed?

  1. 12
  2. 8
  3. 9 Correct answer.
  4. 6

Explanation

Multiply the total by the fraction: 24 ÷ 8 = 3, then 3 × 3 = 9 months.

Question 47Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A prison workshop produces 1,250 items in a week. Written to two significant figures, how many items is this?

  1. 1,200
  2. 1,000
  3. 1,250
  4. 1,300 Correct answer.

Explanation

Two significant figures means keeping the first two digits and rounding using the third. The third digit is 5, so 1,250 rounds up to 1,300.

Question 48Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A wing of 180 inmates is split so that 40% are on the enhanced regime. Of those on enhanced, one quarter work in the kitchen. How many enhanced inmates work in the kitchen?

  1. 18 Correct answer.
  2. 45
  3. 24
  4. 72

Explanation

First find the enhanced total: 0.40 × 180 = 72. Then take one quarter of that: 72 ÷ 4 = 18.

Question 49Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

A prison's monthly visitor numbers rise from 640 to 800. What is the percentage increase?

  1. 25% Correct answer.
  2. 160%
  3. 16%
  4. 20%

Explanation

Percentage increase is the change divided by the original value, times 100. The change is 800 − 640 = 160, and 160 ÷ 640 = 0.25, which is 25%.

Question 50Numerical reasoning and data interpretation

Three officers share a caseload in the ratio 2:3:5. If the total caseload is 150 prisoners, how many does the officer with the largest share have?

  1. 30
  2. 45
  3. 50
  4. 75 Correct answer.

Explanation

The ratio parts sum to 2 + 3 + 5 = 10. Each part is 150 ÷ 10 = 15, so the largest share is 5 × 15 = 75.