Students enrolled in the Level 3 Uniformed Protective Service program, embarked on a captivating journey into the world of corrections during their visit to HM Prison Huntercombe, a category C men's prison, located near Nuffield in Oxfordshire.
The second-year and applied students were granted a comprehensive tour of the prison, acquainting themselves with the facility's various sections and the protocols for new arrivals. This eye-opening experience shed light on the roles and responsibilities of prison officers, igniting their curiosity about potential careers in this field.
The highlight of the visit was a meeting with the Governor, where the students had the opportunity to engage in an insightful Q&A session. They eagerly asked about the daily tasks of prison officers and the pathway to working within a correctional facility.
Kit Pearce, one of our talented students, shared their perspective: "The part I found most interesting about the prison was the different sections of work that the prisoners were trained to work in, from working in the gardens to the kitchens, and even participating in maths and English lessons and textile workshops. It looked as though the staff had hope in the prisoners that they could have a brighter future."
Another of our students, Natalia Ligia Magdalena Graczyk, reflected on her experience: "I found prison interesting and it made me realise that officers working in this profession are trying to change people that have made a bad mistake in their life. I now think that prison is not a punishment but more like rehabilitation and therapy that can help prisoners get a second chance and become better people."
We extend our gratitude to Huntercombe Prison for graciously hosting our students and providing them with such invaluable insights into the corrections system.
