Justice Journeys: How College Led to Careers in Criminal Justice

The presentation was very informative and gave a realistic insight into what working in a prison is actually like. The staff explained the responsibilities of the roles clearly, including both the challenges and rewards. I think it gave people an idea of what their future could look like.

I felt the team were extremely down to earth and very knowledgeable about the support they provide to prisoners in an empathetic way to support rehabilitation. They also spoke about the challenges they face in delivering that support. From a social science job perspective, it was interesting to learn just how many different career paths exist within the prison service.

The visit from staff at HMP Gateside gave us a real insight into the nature of their roles. From frontline staff managing visits, to the administration team responsible for budgets covering meals, medication, staff wages and the growing mental health challenges within the prison system. The prison officers who work directly with prisoners also showed a deep understanding of their role. Overall, the talk was positive, informative and surprisingly enlightening.

We are very proud of all our former students who have developed a wide range of transferable skills through studying Social Sciences, including Psychology, Sociology, History, Politics and Criminology. For many, their time with us has helped them secure places at university, while others have moved directly into valuable roles within the local community and beyond. Seeing that four of the five presenters who visited today once studied here at their local college reminds us just how important community colleges are to the communities they serve.