News

Monday 8 December 2008

Exceptional verdict for student's prison project

A project designed to educate prisoners about the importance of disclosing their criminal convictions has earned a Nottingham Trent University graduate a top national volunteering award. Alex Simmonds, who completed a Bar Vocational Course in the university's Nottingham Law School earlier this year, was awarded a prestigious Higher Education Volunteering Award – and was one of only two students nationwide to be deemed an Exceptional Winner.

The awards, run by the Higher Education Academy, aim to reward student volunteers who have shown commitment to activities supported by the Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund (TQEF). Alex created his 'Bars in their Eyes' project – which involves him and a team of volunteers going into prisons to speak to inmates directly – after learning that many were not correctly informing employers about their history upon release.

Alex uses interactive teaching sessions to inform prisoners of their legal obligation to disclose their criminal convictions, the best way to disclose them, and the consequences of failing to do so under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. He was responsible for designing and leading the project, recruiting volunteers, and then providing them with the necessary training and background knowledge to deliver it.

Television presenter Jake Humphrey presented Alex with his award at a ceremony at Manchester United Football Club's Old Trafford ground. Only 11 awards were given to student projects nationwide, with others given to staff, teams, and outstanding project schemes – more than 750 volunteers had been nominated for awards.

"I'm so delighted to have won this award, particularly to be declared an Exceptional Winner, it's just excellent to have been acknowledged in this way. I'm really grateful to Nottingham Trent University for all of its support, along with all of the people that have been and still are involved in presenting and developing this project." said Alex, who originally developed the idea as part of Nottingham Law School's pro bono project, which enables students to develop practical legal skills and gain experience in preparation for their professional careers.

"I identified the need for the project after learning that offenders can lose their jobs or go back to prison just through a lack of knowledge of the information they disclose on their job application forms. Since then, and with the help of a team of almost 20 volunteers, I have developed knowledge in leadership, management and training, along with marketing, networking, budgeting and planning skills."

Alex has begun to roll out the project to other law schools and universities throughout the country, so that more prisoners can have the benefit of receiving the presentation. He also intends to develop a housing law related presentation to be delivered in a similar way. The issue of housing for ex-prisoners was identified recently in a House of Lords Judgment, where it was stated that 39% of all rough sleepers had served a prison sentence.

The Volunteering Manager at Nottingham Trent University, Andy Coppins, said: "It is great that Alex has won this award and is a testament to his hard work and dedication to informing prisoners of their responsibilities, and how it can benefit them upon release."

Paul Ramsden, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Academy, said: "The awards highlight the energy and commitment of students and staff in the sector in responding to the needs of others. These are people who have many demands on their time, yet who have still found more to help others achieve."

ENDS

Notes for editors: The pro bono project was established under the Higher Education Active Community Fund (HEACF) and is now delivered by the Nottingham Law School with support from the university's volunteering team, funded under the TQEF.

Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Nottingham Trent University Senior Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk; or Lisa Ellis, Awards Manager, CRAC: The Career Development Organisation, on telephone +44 (0)1223 448527, or via email lisa.ellis@crac.org.uk