Students from Croxteth-based school get inside look at the prison system

Year 13 students from St John Bosco Arts College, Croxteth, recently visited Shrewsbury Prison to explore the inner workings of the UK prison system and how it works as part of their criminology studies.

The visit allowed the 22 criminology students to gain first-hand experience inside a prison and explore the potential successes and failures of the prison system.

Students were guided around the prison by a former prison guard, who shared what prison life looked like and what his job involved before Shrewsbury Prison was decommissioned in March 2013.

The 200-year-old prison, opened in 1793, is steeped in rich history.

The visit was organised by Mrs Donnelly, head of psychology and criminology, at St John Bosco Arts College, to support students in their upcoming exam in June.

Mrs Donnelly said: “It is so important that our students are exposed to experiences that enhance and deepen their knowledge and understanding of subjects.

“The visit to Shrewsbury Prison was an excellent opportunity for our criminology students to hear a first-hand account from a former prison guard, and gain a deeper understanding of how the UK prison system works and explore its successes and failures.

“Each of the students represented the school incredibly. They fully immersed themselves in the experience, asking thought-provoking questions and working together to complete challenges.”

Students also had the opportunity to participate in a ‘cell escape’ activity, where they worked together in groups to complete several puzzles under timed conditions to escape the cell.

The trip was a huge success, with students sharing how beneficial they found it.

One student said: “I really enjoyed the day; it has helped with my understanding of unit four.”

While another added how ‘eye-opening’ the experience was, they said: “It was a really eye-opening experience. The tour guide was informative and shared his experience as a guard in other prisons.”

Mr Darren Gidman, headteacher at St John Bosco Arts College, said: “Learning beyond the classroom supports our students to develop skills and independence in a widening range of environments.

“At St John Bosco Arts College, we are always looking for new ways to make learning more engaging and relevant to our students, and trips such as this offer an opportunity to learn and develop beyond the confines of a classroom.”