Why we need decency in prisons, and why women are repeatedly criminalised (Part of the Villiers Park 'Inspiring Excellence' initiative)

Activity: OtherPublic engagement, outreach and knowledge exchange - Public Lecture/debate/seminar

Description

Since March 2015, I have been invited back every year as an evening keynote speaker at Villiers Park Educational Trust's annual Criminal Law course; a week-long residential course for high ability young people aged 14-19 from less advantaged backgrounds. Part of VP's 'Inspiring Excellence' programme, my role within the programme is to meet with young people from across England and Wales and introduce them to core criminological issues, based on my own personal experiences (as a member of the Independent Monitoring Board and through my ESRC-funded research), but also to inspire them to develop a passion that may inspire them to take up criminology in FE or HE.

These sessions directly inform young people about key debates in criminology, and facilitate the development of critical thought, as well as influencing potential future career avenues.

Evidence - anonymous feedback from VP attendees 2018
'- Dr Serena Wright's lecture was totally liberating and completely altered my view on how prisoners should be treated'.- 'Dr Wright's talk made me think more about the issues we face as a society and what I can personally do about it'.
- 'Serena really inspired me and now I'm a lot more confident in telling people I want to study criminology'.- 'Serena was inspirational - she motivated me to broaden my horizons, to work harder, and not to limit myself'.
Period15 Mar 2018
Held atVilliers Park Educational Trust, United Kingdom
Degree of RecognitionNational