A cohort of 12 students of staff members from Rye Hill Prison, near Rugby, have recently started the bespoke programme, developed for them from modules in the University’s Foundation Degree in Offender Management. The University’s Foundation Degree in Offender Management runs from academic year 2009/10. The School of Social Sciences has developed the new award in conjunction with criminal justice colleagues to assist in providing students with the skills that are desired by employers in the sector. The award is unique as it effectively combines the theory needed to work efficiently with offenders and offers both a placement period and shadowing opportunities to prepare students for the ‘real world’.

Cathy James, Director of HMP Rye Hill, said:

“We are very excited about working with The University of Northampton on this project. We are proud of the attitude and commitment of our staff and believe that they deserve the first class input we receive from the University. This partnership will give us the most professional staff group in any prison anywhere.”

Denise Meylan, Senior Lecturer and Probation Consultant, School of Social Sciences, commented:

“Rye Hill Prison  are actively supportive of the Foundation Degree and have commissioned specific continuous professional development awards which emanate from the FdA but have been tailored to meet the operational demands of the prison setting.

“Their staff will be the first in the country to undertake such tailored modules and we are confident that this opportunity will meet their goals of providing excellent development for their staff and opening the doors to academic life long learning.”