This week, staff and students from our Sociology department visited HMP Manchester aka Strangeways, as part of the Crime and Deviance unit on the A Level course.

The day involved a talk from a prison governor and serving prison officers as well as a tour of the prison - they were event able to see inside one of the cells!

The talk offered an amazing insight into the operations of the prison as well as challenges the staff and prisoners face on a daily basis.

Talking points included:

• How funding cuts have impacted the prison e.g. not being able to open workshops for the prisoners to go to work
• How prisoners are categorised
• The importance of rehabilitation
• Daily operations and schedules
• The history of the prison
• Criminal activity within the prison
• Working in the prison service
• Famous prisoners and criminals

Find out more about studying Sociology at Ashton here.