#Prison officers are civil servants, allowing them access to all Civil Service jobs, should they wish to progress their career as a civil servant.

Unlocked Graduates is one of a handful of elite, frontline graduate schemes recognised by the Civil Service Fast Stream. Anyone who manages to get a Fast Stream place has been allowed to defer their start date in order to profit from the invaluable frontline experience offered by Unlocked. The Unlocked programme and the prison service are a great route into a career with the Civil Service.

Following their two years on the programme, many Unlocked Ambassadors have gone on to work across the Civil Service: in the Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and more.

Play the video “Skills that go far”

Skills that go far

Unlocked Ambassador Nathan gained key skills during his time at Unlocked. He is now applying those skills at a policy-level working for central Government.

Unlocked Graduates is one of the eight frontline graduate schemes for which the Civil Service Fast Stream offers deferrals.

Civil Service Fast Stream are delighted to partner with Unlocked, as an opportunity to defer entry onto Fast Stream and develop a highly valuable skill set. Unlocked offers a superb route to growing negotiation, relationship-building, innovation and other capabilities, which will undeniably help you stand out in the Civil Service.

Participants on the Unlocked programme have the opportunity to take a policy lens approach to their second-year research project. A selection of participant research papers will be published in a special edition of the Prison Service Journal. This project offers the chance to have a system-wide impact across the country – contributing to a unique body of knowledge developed on the frontline in prison.

Play the video “Dre’s Policy Journey “

Dre’s Policy Journey

Dre set out to make a difference to prisoners’ lives with Unlocked. While working on the frontline, he had the chance to conduct research on policy issues that he cared about.

Unlocked Graduates offers a number of work placements in the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS during the second year of the programme for those participants particularly interested in policy development. This forms a part of a wide range of over 100 different work placements provided by Unlocked Graduates.

My work placement on the Unlocked programme in the HMPPS head office allowed me to understand how operational and non operational staff are working together to reach the HMPPS goals of reducing reoffending. It’s been an absolute privilege to sit in with Director Generals and gain a real insight to what’s going on from the very top.

Scarlett, 2020 Cohort

Play the video “Sumayyah’s next steps”

Sumayyah’s next steps

From prison landings to the ministerial private office, hear how Sumayyah is making a tangible impact in her career.

Hear from Emily, a previous participant who went from Unlocked to the Civil Service Fast Stream.

It’s invaluable to have that frontline knowledge. You have a unique insight into a world that no one knows.

Emily, 2020 Cohort