Unlocked Graduates is a demanding programme and you will need a special combination of attributes and skills – both to gain entry to the programme and to be successful in the role.

#Watch the video below to find out more about the attributes you will need:

Unlocked Graduates offers a world-class programme of accelerated leadership development training and experience that will help you to realise your potential and access influential roles across a variety of sectors. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to address a very significant problem for the UK as a whole, and delivering life-changing support to the individuals you work with.

But this is not an easy option. You will be working with demanding people in a challenging and sometimes pressured environment. You will have to confront difficult issues, and deal with people who may not conform to usual codes of behaviour.

To be successful in engaging prisoners and helping them to make the changes necessary to reintegrate with society, you will need a particular blend of attributes.

We don’t expect you to have all the answers when you apply, but you will need to show that you have the potential to develop each of these attributes to a high standard. Explore some real life prison scenarios and test how you would respond.

Sense of possibility

You need to believe in the capacity of people and systems to change for the better. You need to have a positive outlook and the courage to drive transformational change in society as well as at an individual level. You will seek out every opportunity to work with and empower individuals to rehabilitate themselves in the prison environment.

Leadership

You are a leader from day one as an Unlocked officer. You will need to develop mutual respect with those you work with and be authoritative, yet empathetic, to individuals in your care. You will need to demonstrate a sense of responsibility in adhering to the prison regime and promoting the protection of those you work with. You will be influential in changing attitudes and act with integrity with regards to professional boundaries.

Decision-making

You will be required to make quick, informed and objective decisions based on the information available in a given situation. You will need to act decisively and with confidence in pressured situations, weighing up pros and cons to decide on the best course of action. In a demanding prison environment, it’s important that you can organise and prioritise your activities effectively.

Relationship building

It’s fundamental for you as an Unlocked officer to be able to build respectful relationships with people from all walks of life. You will need to be non-judgemental, approachable and supportive whilst also understanding the boundaries of these relationships. As part of a cohort you will build key relationships, support each other and work together with prison officer colleagues to create a positive environment.

Resilience

You will need to develop key coping strategies and be able to deal with difficult situations involving vulnerable people. You will remain calm when faced with challenges and work to find an effective solution. You will aim to make progress with the people you are working with despite possible obstacles and setbacks.

Self-awareness

As a prison officer you will need to understand how you work best. You will constantly reflect on how you deal with various situations and work to develop your skills based on feedback and self-reflection. You will have good knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses and constantly evaluate your progress.

Motivation

We want participants who share our vision and commitment to rehabilitating prisoners and reducing the costs of re-offending. You will prove your commitment through your two years as a prison officer and be motivated to continue to promote this vision in your future career. You will act with integrity and moral courage throughout your time on the programme.

#Entry requirements

You do not have to have specific knowledge or experience of the prison service to apply. Instead, we are looking at your potential to participate constructively in the programme and positively impact prisoners’ lives.

In order to apply to Unlocked, you must fulfil the following minimum requirements:

• You have, or be expecting to receive, at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree qualification*
• You have grade C GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
• You have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme. This means you are not eligible to apply with a graduate visa. If you are on EUSS you will be able to apply, however we will require your share code during the application process.
• You have not undergone prison officer training.

The Unlocked two-year leadership development programme is available only to graduates who have not yet undergone prison officer training. As such, existing prison officers are not eligible to apply.

*If you have just missed this threshold, you are still welcome to apply but you must demonstrate a very high standard of the personal attributes we are looking for and explain the mitigating circumstances for your academic results. This will then be reviewed by the Selection Team.