Unlocked Conference 2023: People, Place and Purpose

Unlocked Conference 2023: People, Place and Purpose

This year Unlocked Graduates participants, ambassadors and guests from across the criminal justice sector were invited to the Unlocked 2023 Conference for an engaging day of discussions and insights focused on the three pillars of rehabilitation: ‘People, Place and Purpose,’ and the impact all three can have on reducing reoffending rates.

Delegates at the Unlocked conference heard from a range of leaders from within prisons, across the prison service and from the wider sector sharing ideas, innovation, and best practice that will inspire action and impact in prisons across the UK.

We were delighted to be joined by our keynote speaker Scott Budnick, Founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), CEO of 1Community and film producer. He opened up the conference alongside Unlocked CEO and founder Natasha Porter OBE, Unlocked participant Eloise (2022 Cohort) and Number 1 Governor of HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall, Mark Greenhaf.

The afternoon sessions were split to address different issues within the current criminal justice system:

The employment session looked through the lens of attitudes in the job market towards employing former prisoners, and explored why businesses should employ people with lived experience of prison.

The ‘impact of race and racism in prisons’ explored key findings of two reports from HMIP and IMB discussing the greatest challenges around race and racism in prisons. The session then examined what prison officers can do to best understand them.

Phil Anderson continued the insightful day, discussing neurodiversity in prison. His session looked at understanding the complexity of ADHD through the lens of crime, negative social outcomes and the secure estate.

Craig Pinkey addressed violence and conflict with young people. The session’s aim was to enable participants to understand and think beyond issues relating to street crime, youth violence and criminal exploitation.

The following session invited individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system to share their thoughts on ‘what makes a good prison officer. The panel was chaired by the Prison Reform Trust’s Paula Harriott and Marc Conway.

The ‘power of sport’ addressed the transformational impact that sport can have on people’s lives. Going beyond improving physical fitness, sport can be a real lever for social change. We invited Graeme Clark (Twinning Project), Bobby Kasanga (Hackney Wick FC) and Michelle Glassup (HMPYOI Feltham) to share their expertise.

The interactive session ‘supporting prisoners with addiction issues’ looked at the successes of the new Incentivised Substance Free Living Wing at HMP Pentonville. Unlocked Ambassador Jenny was joined by colleague Natalie Adams and Sophia Young (Phoenix Futures) to discuss best practice helping prisoners to stay away from drugs.

The final stream session invited the StandOut team to explore how best to build strong relationships between officers and people in prison.

The end of day plenary brought together Unlocked Ambassadors Craig Bathgate and Zeba Chowdhury to reflect on learnings from the day, and to explore what steps individuals can take to lead innovative change supporting the Unlocked mission in their professional roles.

A big thank you to everyone who attended for making the day so powerful! We look forward to seeing the innovation that follows.

We will be reconnecting, sharing ideas and learning from one another once again at next year’s Conference!