A hard-hitting initiative arrived at Loughborough College this week to give students an insight into the criminal justice system.
The Crime and Time (CAT) Project aims to explode myths about prison and encourages choices which prevent young people from offending.
Sixty Loughborough College Public Services and Childcare and Education students heard first hand about the experience of arrest and receiving a custodial sentence - and the impact that has had.
The students were also given the opportunity to ask questions about real life in prison – as well as to see basic kit and try on clothing provided for inmates.
“It was great to see our students engaging in such a hard-hitting project, learning about life in the custodial system, busting some common myths and hearing stories of prison life - as well learning about the job opportunities working on the ‘other-side’ as part of the criminal justice and custodial systems,” said Lydia Hovenden, Student Engagement Mentor at Loughborough College.
“The Leicestershire Youth Offending Service team really got to grips with what our students wanted to know and were able to share some really important information both for students’ courses and for making their own life choices.”
Loughborough College Public Services lead Tim Turner added: “The project gave students a detailed insight into life inside the custodial system. The knowledge gained will give them a real advantage when completing assignments into their Custodial Care assignments.”
Pictured: (front row left to right) Loughborough College students Chloe Preston, Alex Simpson-Last (wearing clothes issued to prison inmates) and Keira Moore. Behind them are Helen McNulty and Shailes Patel from the Leicestershire Youth Offending Service and (back row) Public Services’ Max Wade and Spencer Williams.