Year 2 Criminology students recently participated in an eye-opening prisoner insight and cell van experience, designed to provide a deeper understanding of life within the prison system. This interactive learning opportunity allowed students to engage directly with three current inmates who shared candid accounts of their lives before incarceration, the crimes they committed, and the realities of prison life.
The experience also included time spent in a cell van, carefully designed to replicate the conditions of a prison cell. This immersive component provided students with a tangible sense of confinement, complementing the inmates’ narratives and broadening their perspective on the criminal justice system.
Robert O’Connor, Course Leader of Criminology said: “Educational experiences like this are invaluable for Criminology students. While classroom teaching provides theoretical knowledge, meeting inmates and officers adds a practical dimension to their studies. Hearing firsthand, honest, and often raw accounts of life on both sides of the bars offers students that far surpass the impact of textbooks or PowerPoint presentations.”
The students left the experience with a deeper appreciation of the complexities of the prison system, and the real-world consequences of crime, offering them a unique perspective that will undoubtedly enhance their academic and professional development in the field of criminology.
Tia Airy, student commented “It was a great experience. I enjoyed listening to how life works within a prison. I found the talks inspirational and education, and it has made me look at getting a job within this field.”
