[T]welve prisoners at Haverigg Prison, Millom have been presented with an award to mark their successful completion of a University of Cumbria module ‘Learning Together’.
In a graduation-style ceremony (held on Monday 8 May) prisoners’ families as well VIPs including the new High Sheriff Alistair Wannop witnessed the presentation of awards by University of Cumbria Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell.
“This event at HMP Haverigg marks the culmination of a truly innovative partnership that has impacted so positively on our students’ learning and outcomes, and genuinely changes lives for learners and their families,” Professor Mennell said.”It was a proud day for all who took part and a fitting way to celebrate success.”
The level 6 module, which is worth 20 credits towards a degree, has been delivered at the prison by university staff, and the cohort comprised both serving prisoners and current university psychology undergraduates, who have studied together.
The module explored types of crime; the psychological impact of sentencing and conviction upon victims, perpetrators, and their families; the role of the psychologists and psychological interventions within the criminal justice system; desistance theory; courtroom psychology; offending life course; theories of crime; psychology/sociology of imprisonment.
Governor Tony Corcoran adds: “HMP Haverigg has had an excellent relationship with the University of Cumbria for many years but still, the Learning Together programme greatly surpassed all our expectations.
“The quality of the university’s teaching staff, enhanced by the opportunity for students to discuss criminal justice topics with eminent practitioners and professionals, made for a unique and very powerful learning experience. Throughout the course, university students gained the opportunity to develop real experiential learning from their exposure to the prison environment and through learning from the lived experiences of the residents in the prison. From the perspective of Haverigg students, this inspired them to engage in higher level study that greatly enhances their career prospects on release and so reduces the risk of them re-offending.”
