Success Stories

Young Offenders Put On Prison History Exhibition

An exhibition depicting the history of Northallerton Prison, which toured North Yorkshire in the summer of 2008, was produced in its entirety by a group of people from HM Young Offenders Institution Northallerton. 

They were given the task of researching the history of the prison and putting together the exhibition display boards as part of the Institution’s young offender success2.jpgeducation programme.

Programme leader, April Stephenson explained: 

"Our aim is to help young people rebuild their self confidence and self worth and learn new skills that will help them to find jobs and get their lives back on track when they leave us."

“The ten students who tackled this project had no experience of doing anything like it. They used books from the prison library, newspaper clippings, an army charge book and archived material from Northallerton records office to research the history of the prison then worked as a team to design the display boards using desktop publishing and image manipulation software."

“They all lacked confidence in their abilities at first and although a couple dropped out seven successfully completed the four week project and at the launch event they all stood up and presented their work to the gathered dignitaries!"

“The project was accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) which means the students have all been rewarded for their efforts by receiving nationally recognised qualifications for ‘presentation skills’ and ‘rights and responsibilities’ that they can show to prospective employers.”

The exhibition, titled “Changes in Society” was launched at a special presentation day attended by Northallerton’s Deputy Lord Mayor Sally Anderson. It then went on display in Northallerton Records Office and later toured libraries in the area.