Young offenders get royal award

Offenders at an Oxfordshire young offenders' institution have received their Duke of Edinburgh Awards from Prince Edward.

The Prince visited HMYOI Huntercombe in Henley-on-Thames and presented the bronze awards to the five teenagers.

The 17 and 18-year-olds were the first people at Huntercombe to get Duke of Edinburgh awards. It took them six months to complete the programme.

The institution is a Secure College and focuses on education provision.

Its stated aim is to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of those held there.

Gov Scott Jacques, Head of Interventions, Huntercombe said: "It gives them a six month month commitment to achieve something they have never done before, and will give them the skills that mean they will hopefully not commit crime again when they are discharged."

The participants completed the community volunteering aspect of the award by collecting recycling around the institution during their freetime.

For part of the expedition they set up a campsite within the confines of the prison.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version