Celebrating success, inspiring action – A Study visit to Hydebank Wood

In March, members of the Unlocked team travelled to Belfast with participants and Ambassadors of our award-winning graduate programme for a study visit to Hydebank Wood Secure College and Women’s Prison. This was an opportunity for these frontline leaders to see an example of a high-performing prison first-hand, serving as a valuable reminder that real change in prisons is possible.

We know that there are pockets of excellent practice across the system, both in this country and internationally. But often, those working on the landings have limited – or no – opportunities to see this transformative work in action and learn from it. At Unlocked, we are determined to celebrate these success stories and support frontline staff to draw on impactful solutions being developed across the system, enabling them to drive evidence-led change in their own prisons.

Study visits are a reminder that the world is bigger than your prison, an opportunity to see and compare good practice, a chance to revisit the mission and refresh motivation.

JJ, Unlocked Ambassador

Hydebank Wood has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, becoming an example of excellent practice. This incredible work is giving those in their care good opportunities to engage in meaningful activity, creating a safe environment, and ultimately transforming outcomes. Recent inspection reports have particularly highlighted the strength of relationships between staff and prisoners and the role these relationships have played in driving positive change across the prison.

Hydebank Wood’s story has shown that change is possible in prisons and that it so often starts with the prison officers on the landings. This visit was an opportunity for participants and Ambassadors of our programme to gain real insight into an example of effective culture change in prisons led by those working on the frontline and apply these learnings to their own work.

Study visits give [the] opportunity to observe best practice and learn what’s working elsewhere and bring that back […] Visits re-energise us for return and broaden our sense of possibility

Zac, Unlocked participant

Study visits are a unique opportunity to learn from colleagues facing similar challenges and working in similar environments. They give prison officers the tools to implement change based on real evidence of success in other parts of the system. They also support the next generation of prison leaders to build powerful professional networks, fostering broader collaboration and evidence sharing across the system.

We are committed to creating a ‘what works’ culture across the prison service, ensuring that the solutions that make a real difference can be mainstreamed. Participants on our programmes have the opportunity to spend time in other prisons during their time with Unlocked to support them to have the greatest possible impact. We also arrange regular study visits for Ambassadors of our programme to some of the best performing prisons, supporting them to continue their work towards our mission of breaking cycles of reoffending.