University News Last updated 21 July 2009
Birmingham City University now has a formal arrangement with HMP Grendon marking an agreement for the two institutions to work together.
The Memorandum of Agreement will create a number of opportunities for further teaching and development of better links between the University and the prison.
HMP Grendon is one of the oldest penal therapeutic communities in the world. Professor David Wilson, Head of the Centre for Policy Research and Centre for Criminal Justice Policy and Research comments on the relationship:
"We are delighted to be the first University in the whole country to have an official memorandum of understanding between an educational institution and a working prison. The formal relationship will undoubtedly be very positive for our students. Not only will it offer our students the opportunity for visiting the prison for research purposes, it will also allow staff from the HMP Grendon to visit us and share experiences and information with us.
"The relationship offers a fantastic opportunity for us to take our teaching out of the lecture theatre and into a real-world setting and is another key selling point for Birmingham City University and what we offer to prospective students."
The relationship with HMP Grendon has also resulted in the appointment of Professor Michael Brookes as a Visiting Professor to Birmingham City University. Professor Brookes is the current Director of Therapeutic Communities at HMP Grendon. He joins the University's Centre for Criminal Justice, Policy and Research and will advise staff and students, offer teaching and take part in future research projects conducted by the Centre.
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