Loughborough College has been taken behind the scenes at HMP Leicester to gain a first hand insight into a career in the prison service.
High level support from the College has seen increasing numbers of Public Services students successfully securing positions in the service – and the group were thrilled to unexpectedly encounter a former classmate on duty.
“We were taken through locked door after locked door with bars everywhere, as you would expect. But there is something about seeing it and experiencing this confined area, even the smells, first hand that offers such a valuable insight.
“Touring the wings, prisoners were in their cells but students were able to hear them and see them, alongside being given a detailed and fascinating A-Z of prison life,” said Loughborough College Public Services lead Tim Turner.
“A couple of our group recognized one of our former students in her uniform, on duty. She is so positive about her job and it was great for our current students to see that, to see her progression and how much she is enjoying her career with the service.
“Loughborough College Public Services regularly work in collaboration with our performing arts students, developing skills through often very challenging scenarios. Being given the opportunity to gain this practical, realistic experience is vital in supporting students applying to become prison officers to progress through their interview process – where long and intensive role plays are a crucial part of the final stages.
“We are extremely grateful to HMP Leicester for enabling our students to go behind their closed – and locked – doors and get a glimpse of prison life. The experience and information is not only already enhancing their assignments but has also strengthened the determination of some to follow a career path into the service.”