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You can’t learn this anywhere else

Georgia, 2020 cohort

You can’t learn this anywhere else

Master’s degree Back to top

As part of the programme you complete a fully-funded, bespoke Master’s degree. Drawing on the latest research in the field – and led by top academic experts – your studies will give you the chance to step back from the day-to-day and learn the theory to drive system change on the frontline.

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Fully-funded Master’s degree

Teaching delivered as part of the integrated two-year programme alongside your day job

Delivered part-time over two years, the course provides specialist knowledge and advanced understanding of the prison environment that will enhance your professional practice as a prison officer and build an academically informed, evidence-based perspective on a wide range of issues in criminal justice. It will give you the skills and expertise to change attitudes and perceptions to encourage new approaches that support rehabilitation.

  1. Part One
    Understanding Why – Pathways to Imprisonment and Desistance
    Develop an understanding of the various psychological, criminological and sociological theories that underpin our understanding of pathways to imprisonment and desistance and how these contribute to the development of practice, guidance and/or policy.
  2. Part Two
    Making a Difference – Applied Ethical and Professional Practice
    Explore how you can make a difference as a prison officer and custodial leader by reviewing the relevant literature underlying ethical and professional practice, including reflective practical and operational skills, effective communication skills and motivational interviewing.
  3. Part Three
    Transformational Leadership – Inspiring Lasting Change
    Evaluate the theoretical approaches to studying leadership across different contexts, and reflect on your own personal approach, style, strengths and weaknesses that you bring to the leadership process.
  4. Part Four
    Applied Work Based Research Project
    Complete an applied research project relevant to your workplace and your own professional interest, and which potentially generates new knowledge and/or develops our conception of the topic studied.

Our MSc in Applied Custodial Leadership is awarded by Leeds Trinity University. The course was developed with Dr Danielle McDermott (Senior Lecturer in Psychology) and Claire Vilarrubi (Lecturer in Criminology/Psychology) at Leeds Trinity University. Between them, Danielle and Claire have over 30 years’ experience in the Criminal Justice System.