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#Driving systemic change
Our participants are in a unique position to identify solutions to problems they face on the frontline. The Innovation Acceleration Programme (IAP) is designed to support and amplify the impact participants can have by offering funding for small-scale, evidence driven innovation projects in their prisons. To receive funding, participants must demonstrate close working with non-Unlocked prison officers to develop a solution with senior level buy-in which has the potential to be sustainable long-term.
A prisoner on MILLIE’S wing in Aylesbury was keen to use lockdown to learn a second language. Education services were very limited at the time so, as she is fluent in Spanish, she created a Spanish workbook and provided regular feedback by marking his work. This opportunity proved really popular on the wing so she ended up making copies and sharing her language skills with several prisoners.
These projects provide excellent opportunities to develop skills while bringing new ideas into the prison service.
Coached in change management techniques by our corporate partner PwC, Unlocked officers are encouraged to design and deliver impactful projects including (but not limited to) new programmes for prisoners, equipment for their prisons, training and work with external organisations, or funding for in-prison events.
To date, we have supported 47 small and 32 large projects.
#Research projects
We believe rehabilitative prisons need to be underpinned by evidence. As part of their Master’s degree, participants undertake a research project based on a problem, question or an initiative that they co-identify with the prison Governor. These are focused on making targeted, tangible recommendations either to policy-makers or operational prison staff.
Over 300 papers and dissertations have now been written by Unlocked participants.
We see this as a critical way to start driving system-level change from the frontline and demonstrate the importance of prison officer perspective. The outcomes of the research projects and policy papers are to uncover useful solutions for the prison service by instilling a data-driven, research-informed approach.
This year topics include the new drug-free wing in Pentonville, institutional cultures around use of force, the impact of staff wellbeing on productivity, retention and rehabilitative cultures, promoting family ties and preparing people with learning disabilities for release. In each case, the papers conclude with substantive recommendations for their prison, practitioners or policy-makers
NIYI wanted to find a positive way to address racism in prison and create an environment
where more open conversations around
race could take place. He created ‘Together
against racism’ ribbons for officers to wear
on their epaulettes. An eye-catching way to
raise awareness, they have now been shared
across all prisons in London
#Work placements and prison exchanges
Participants are offered a work placement as part of their second year to give them an opportunity to broaden their outlook, gain new skills, and apply their knowledge to a new environment.
This year over 50 organisations offered in excess of 120 placements.
A two-week prison exchange with another participant from their cohort is another option available in the second year on the programme. This allows them to experience a different establishment, share best practice from their own prison, and take back ideas from the contrasting environment.