Developing Future Leaders: Unlocked Graduates 2024 Cohort Launch

Our Unlocked Graduates 2024 Cohort has officially launched!

Read on to gain insights into our recent launch event, packed with information and inspiration to prepare the 2024 cohort for the journey ahead. Take a glimpse into our Leadership Development Programme and our mission to develop future leaders who will champion a just prison system.

#Building Leaders, Championing Social Justice

Our CEO and Founder, Natasha Porter OBE, opened the launch by highlighting the programme’s core aims of breaking cycles of reoffending. Our 2024 cohort will develop strong leadership skills while tackling social justice issues within the prison system:

“This programme is an incredible opportunity to change a system, to change policy and to change lives, including your own. If you can lead change in prison, you can lead change anywhere.”

Natasha Porter OBE

#The Unlocked Graduates Programme: Gearing Up for Success

The Unlocked Graduates Programme Team, Danielle, Tessa and Samantha, delved into the key details of our Leadership Development Programme itself. They acknowledged the challenging yet rewarding nature of the Band 3 prison officer role, and highlighted the high-quality training and strong support network available to all participants:

“We are champions of the Band 3 prison officer role as a key for change. You spend the most time with prisoners and set the culture on the landing. As a prison officer, you have the most access and will get to see every single person on the landings.”

“Our mission isn’t just a pretty statement; it is really important that you have this at the forefront of your mind as you join Unlocked Graduates.”

Tessa Jennett

#Becoming Changemakers: Participant & Ambassador Insights

A panel of Unlocked Graduates participants and Ambassadors, Tajy, Jasmin, Tegan, and Courtney, shared their firsthand experiences, with an emphasis on camaraderie, personal growth, and the ability to make a positive impact on the lives of prisoners.

Their stories highlighted the importance of staying true to yourself, advocating for change, and fostering positive relationships within the prison environment:

“The most important thing is to be yourself; the prisoners will appreciate that, and it will be much better for you too.” – Tajy.

“One of my proudest moments was a prisoner telling me, ‘You’re the first person in years to actually believe that I can be a good person.’ After our conversations, that prisoner changed his life around, became a youth representative and received his very last negative report.” – Tegan.

“Take a step back, remember your training, and carry out your duties as you know they should be done, even if that is different to your colleagues.” – Courtney.

“No other job is going to give you that same sense of achievement.”

Jasmin

#Understanding Lived Experiences: Building Bridges

A powerful panel discussion chaired by Unlocked Graduates Ambassador and Mentoring Prison Officer Kat Gartland featured lived experience experts Godfrey, Marc and Theo.

They emphasised the importance of treating prisoners with respect, understanding the impact of trauma on behaviour, and fostering positive connections:

“Don’t hesitate to put your ideas forward. Create a plan and push it out because it can have a big impact.” – Godfrey.

“Prisons are environments of dehumanising, so to have someone address you by name and try to understand you, it is a massive thing to do.” – Marc.

“Prisoners need support. Education only gets you so far, but those conversations with my landing officer inspired me to start a degree.” – Theo.

“You have so much power to improve or bring someone’s day down. What might seem like a small interaction for you, they will dwell on in their cell for hours.”

Kat Gartland

#Fostering Rehabilitation Through Connection

Guest speaker Ian Thomas delivered a thought-provoking message about recognising the good in everyone, fostering healing through connection and understanding how trauma can impact behaviour:

“I am confident that there is goodness in all of you. Let that be a springboard for change.

Legitimate connections forge pathways to healing and eventually to desistance from crime.”

#The Journey Begins

Our 2024 Cohort Launch Event was just the beginning of a transformative career for our incoming changemakers. They’ll go on to develop leadership skills, advocate for social justice, and make a real difference in the lives of others during their time on the programme and beyond.

To our incoming cohort: get ready to be challenged, inspired, and make a lasting impact!

To those looking for further insights: register your interest in our programme and follow our social media platforms to learn more about the prison officer’s potential to lead rehabilitation from the frontline.