Nottingham Trent University criminology students complete course at HMP Lowdham Grange

Today at HMP Lowdham Grange, 22 people are celebrating the completion of a higher education course in criminology.

This innovative project has enabled 12 second-year students from Nottingham Trent University and eight prisoners from HMP Lowdham Grange, together with two Serco education managers, to ‘learn together’ in a unique partnership. Together, they have worked to critically explore and challenge stereotypes and prejudices about prisoners and prisons.

All 22 students have successfully completed the course and today they are being presented their certificates by Kathie Moore, Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University and Rupert Soames, Group Chief Executive of Serco, in the presence of Mrs J.L. Naake, the High Sheriff of Nottingham.

The event is the culmination of an innovative project between Nottingham Trent University and Serco, which manages HMP Lowdham Grange, on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Commenting on the ceremony, Rupert Soames, Serco’s Group Chief Executive, said: “I am very proud of this unique partnership with Nottingham Trent University and the innovative work we are doing together at HMP Lowdham Grange. Education and learning are important for helping prisoners to turn their lives around and I believe this programme will make a real difference to these individuals as they prepare themselves for the outside world.”

Dr Paul Hamilton at Nottingham Trent University added: “We are celebrating the transformative opportunities that this course gives for all those participating in the course, as well as for prison education more broadly and its role within the life and function of prisons.”

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