Ex-prisoner Insights

Supporting prisoners to help reduce their chances of reoffending is central to our mission. The right interaction with a prison officer at the right moment can make a huge difference.

Ex-prisoners play a crucial role in recruiting and training Unlocked Graduates participants, acting as assessors at assessment centres, conducting training at Summer Institute and working with participants at events throughout their time on the programme.

In the same way that a good teacher can transform a child’s life, a remarkable prison officer can radically alter the outcomes for a prisoner in their care. The right interaction with a prison officer at the right time

We believe that learning from those with lived experience of the prison service is vital for effective and impactful training, and it remains an essential part of the curriculum for Unlocked’s programmes.

When I was in prison, my landing officer was an Unlocked participant, and he had a different approach to every other officer. Giving prison officers that living proof that rehabilitation is possible is always going to give them that hope and drive to do the job in prison and understand that they can help a prisoner.

Godfrey, ex-prisoner Unlocked lived experience trainer