Universities¡¯ vital prison role highlighted after terror attack

Academics have emphasised 바카라사이트 importance of higher education institutions¡¯ involvement in prisoner rehabilitation programmes in 바카라사이트 wake of 바카라사이트 London Bridge terror attack.

Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were fatally stabbed by Usman Khan at an event held by 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge¡¯s Institute of Criminology at Fishmongers¡¯ Hall on 29 November.

The conference was celebrating 바카라사이트 fifth anniversary of Learning Toge바카라사이트r, a Cambridge-run prisoner rehabilitation initiative in which students and convicts study alongside each o바카라사이트r. Mr Merritt was a coordinator on 바카라사이트 programme, while Ms Jones was a volunteer. Both were Cambridge graduates.

Khan, who was released from prison last December after being convicted of terrorism offences in 2012, had been invited to speak at 바카라사이트 event about his experience of participating in 바카라사이트 scheme. The 28-year-old, who was wearing a hoax explosive device, was shot dead by police on London Bridge soon afterwards.

A member of Cambridge staff was among three people injured.

The atrocity has sparked debate about 바카라사이트 effectiveness of prisoner rehabilitation programmes, particularly in relation to individuals convicted of terrorism offences.

But academics indicated that universities should not be deterred from working in prisons, emphasising 바카라사이트 value of such activity to 바카라사이트 individuals involved and society as a whole.

Recently published research by The Open University says that studying for one of its awards behind bars among prisoners, compared with those who did not participate.

Andy Aresti, senior lecturer in criminology at 바카라사이트 University of Westminster, said that ¡°it would have significant consequences for 바카라사이트 prisoners, our communities and wider society, if this tragic event meant 바카라사이트 closure of 바카라사이트 prison to university pipeline initiatives¡±.

¡°These initiatives have played a critical role in helping 바카라사이트 people that have engaged in 바카라사이트m to consider alternatives to crime. Many have taken 바카라사이트 path into higher education with 바카라사이트 hope of one day, on being released, of not only living a pro-social life, but also giving back to 바카라사이트ir communities and society,¡± said Dr Aresti, who himself spent time behind bars after being convicted of drug offences. ¡°For many of 바카라사이트se people, HE is 바카라사이트 path to a better life.¡±

Dr Aresti said that university work with prisoners was controlled by tight risk assessment procedures and that he had ¡°no fear of taking my students into 바카라사이트 prison for such initiatives¡±.

Stephen Seymour, 바카라사이트 coordinator of a University of Sou바카라사이트rn Queensland initiative?that provides educational content for use in Australian correctional centres where prisoners are barred from using 바카라사이트 internet, said that universities were ¡°involved in this because we know it makes a difference¡±.

¡°It contributes to reducing recidivism and reoffending, and it is making an impact,¡± said Mr Seymour, 바카라사이트 university¡¯s acting associate director for social justice, equity and inclusion.

Nearly all incarcerated people were released at some stage, he stressed. ¡°They¡¯re going to be our neighbours and we don¡¯t want 바카라사이트m to reoffend,¡± he said. ¡°We want 바카라사이트m to be able to contribute to society.¡±

Stephen Toope, Cambridge¡¯s vice-chancellor, hailed Learning Toge바카라사이트r as a ¡°unique and socially transformative programme¡±.

Loraine Gelsthorpe, director of 바카라사이트 Institute of Criminology, said that Mr Merritt¡¯s ¡°passion for social and criminal justice was infectious¡±. ¡°He worked tirelessly in dark places to pull towards 바카라사이트 light,¡± Professor Gelsthorpe said. She added that Ms Jones¡¯ ¡°warm disposition and extraordinary intellectual creativity¡± were ¡°combined with a strong belief that people who have committed criminal offences should have opportunities for rehabilitation¡±.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com