4th March 2026
Last month, we welcomed colleagues and partners from across the criminal justice system to our 2026 Conference in Birmingham. The Unlocked Annual Conference is a vital forum for knowledge sharing across the sector, and this was a chance to reflect on 10 years of leading change on the inside at Unlocked Graduates and consider how we can scale the solutions that we know work.
Every year, our Conference brings together those working on the frontline with other experts across the sector to share insights and learnings from interventions that are having an impact in prisons, helping to reduce reoffending. Over the past decade, we have continually strived to prove what works and drive whole-system reform, and this was a key theme throughout the day. Sessions focused on evidence-based solutions and how we can build a real movement for change.
“Ask difficult questions and share what works”
Opening our 2026 Conference, Unlocked Ambassador and Acting Deputy Governor Sabrina reminded delegates about the purpose of these events, encouraging those in the room to “ask difficult questions and share what works”. Outlining her journey through the prison service, she reflected on the role that those on the frontline play in radically improving outcomes through consistent leadership and the community that Unlocked has built to support these efforts.
[Unlocked] is about building a movement of people who understand the frontline and who are prepared to lead change within the system.
Sabrina, Unlocked Ambassador and Acting Deputy Governor
“This is just the beginning – there is so much further to go”
In a welcome address to Conference, Unlocked Graduates’s CEO and Founder Natasha Porter OBE looked back on 10 years of the organisation and a decade of change in prisons. Natasha outlined the progress that Unlocked has made since 2016, rethinking the way that we recruit, train and develop outstanding prison officers – and crucially, the way that we talk about this vital frontline role across society.
Looking ahead to the next period of reform in prisons, Natasha reflected on the role that frontline staff play in driving change in prisons. She highlighted the need for more conference spaces like this with prison officers at the centre, sharing learnings and celebrating the impact of outstanding officers and inspirational leaders across the service.
First and foremost, Unlocked is about building a mission and a movement. It is all of you who are the leaders who are going to change our prisons.
Natasha Porter OBE, CEO and Founder of Unlocked Graduates
Natasha then introduced The Rt Hon. the Lord Hermer, the Attorney General for England and Wales, who welcomed delegates to Conference via video. Lord Hermer highlighted 10 years of Unlocked’s impact in prisons and reflected on the vital role that frontline staff play as the “agents of change”.
Unlocked equips you to lead change in your work, in mentoring, in your study. You help shape the lives of vulnerable people in prison, giving them a real chance to break the cycle of reoffending.
Lord Hermer, Attorney General for England and Wales
“There are people within the system that made a difference”
Sessions throughout the day focused on the role that frontline staff play in transforming outcomes in prisons. Paula Harriott, CEO of Unlock, led a lived experience panel underlining the impact that prison officers can have, and how their actions can support real change on the landings for those in their care. The panel shared their experiences of the criminal justice system and of transformational practice in prisons.
Richard Taylor OBE, Governor of Hydebank Wood prison in Northern Ireland, then reflected on the role that those on the frontline played in the establishment’s transformation into a progressive and rehabilitative environment. He shared learnings about supporting and developing staff and building a better culture.
“It’s about planting seeds”
As conference came to a close, we were delighted to welcome Jacob Dunne, award-winning author and campaigner and the co-founder of the Common Ground Justice Project. In conversation with Mahlon – a former Mentoring Prison Officer at Unlocked – Jacob outlined the value of building trust and relationships between staff and prisoners. He reflected on his own experiences in prison and highlighted the power of more positive cultures on the landings.
“The ultimate public service mission”
Finally, as Conference ended for another year, we heard from Jack and Mahi, members of the Unlocked Ambassador Network. They reflected on their time on the Unlocked programme and the value of the community of leaders that Unlocked has built, supporting their continued efforts towards our mission of breaking cycles of reoffending in prison and throughout society.
Breaking cycles of reoffending is the ultimate public service mission. This mission has brought together a remarkable group of people over 10 years.
Jack, Unlocked Ambassador
We were also incredibly proud to launch our new impact report at Conference this year. This documents a year of outstanding progress at Unlocked, highlighting our impact across the system and our work towards our mission.