Prison Officers graduate from Rutland's HMP Stocken

By Evie Payne 27th Jun 2023

Local News by Evie Payne 27th Jun 2023

On Friday 23 June, Prison Officers celebrated their graduation in a ceremony at HMP Stocken.

HMP Stocken is a men's category C training prison near Oakham, accommodating up to 1,056 prisoners.

The prison runs a training programme for new Police Officers from across the country, and last week Alicia Kearns MP attended the graduation of the new Prison Officers.

Alicia received a tour of the teaching facilities with OA Trainer, Josh Pearce, to learn more about the training course, and to present Section A with certificates at their Graduation Ceremony.

The graduates began with a demonstration of the skills learnt at HMP Stocken Training Centre, such as control and restraint, firefighting and the unlocking and locking process.

Alicia presented A Section with their Learners' Certificates of Attendance as part the training course, including special recognition certificates for the best graduate at 'Control and Restraint' and the Student's 'Student of the Course' certificate'.

Alicia Kearns MP, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton said: "It was a pleasure to meet the Section A graduates and witness such an impressive display of the range of skills taught at HMP Stocken."

MP Alicia Keanrs awarded new Prison Officers their certificates at a ceremony on 23 June. Image credit: Alicia Kearns MP.

She continued: "The team here work immensely hard to provide such an outstanding training programme for the recruits helping to shape their lives on return to the outside world and reduce reoffending rates.

"Prison Officers are some of the unsung heroes of our communities – the work they do, and the risks they face, are often hidden behind the wire. It was great to see this hard work pay off and meet so many successful graduates who are thriving under this well-run prison."

In October 2020, Alicia also welcomed substantial Government investment to establish a new housing block containing 206 spaces at HMP Stocken, creating an additional 40-50 permanent jobs for our local communities.

On top of providing opportunities for local people, the prison also provides a variety of education and training opportunities for inmates, designed to increase their chances of employment when they return to their communities.

Men also have the option of studying part-time or full-time for a range of vocational courses, which include recycling, catering, plumbing, and motorcycle maintenance.

In April of this year, Recycling Lives shared their experience of working with and supporting the inmates at HMP Stocken with Oakham Nub News.