Summer Institute

Summer Institute is Unlocked Graduates’ bespoke residential training programme that is designed to get participants on our graduate leadership development programme day-one ready for their new roles.

It is a five-week, intensive training course which all of our participants complete before they start working in prison.

It covers all the core training that is required before starting your new role and encompasses everything you need to know to be an outstanding prison officer and drive real change on the landings. You will also have the opportunity to build relationships with your future colleagues, trainers and Mentoring Prison Officers who will support you to have the greatest possible impact on the landings.

Our programme has been developed by our expert trainers and curriculum designers with an evidence-led approach to ensure it applies the most effective teaching and learning methods. It gives our participants the expertise required to be excellent prison officers who can lead rehabilitation on the landings. Our model is informed by Scandinavian models of prison officer training, and draws on best practice from a range of other sectors, including teaching and social work.

Everyone is pushing each other to be the best prison officer they can be.

Unlocked 2024 Participant

There is a significant focus on practice throughout your training, with scenarios aiming to prepare you for a variety of situations that you might face on the landings with a particular focus on the specific prison estate that you will be working in and the prisoners you will be working with. There are also regular opportunities to learn from those with lived experience of the criminal justice system which is vital for effective and impactful training.

Summer Institute is just the beginning though. Throughout your two years on our award-winning programme, you will continue to receive training and support from the Unlocked team, your Mentoring Prison Officers and other experts.

You will also return to Summer Institute for an additional week of training at the start of your second year on the programme during Returners’ Week. This will be an opportunity to reflect on your first year in the role and identify where you can progress and continue to lead change on the landings.