Unlocking the Mind of Crime: Iona’s Path to Becoming a Probation Officer at Bolton University

Ever wondered what it takes to delve deep into the criminal mind and make a tangible difference in the justice system? Meet Iona Woodcock, a proud graduate of the University of Bolton’s BA (Hons) Crime and Criminal Justice course. Graduating in July 2022 with an upper 2:1, Iona's story is a compelling testament to how the right education can pave the way to a fulfilling career.

A Passion for Understanding Crime

Iona's fascination with what drives individuals to offend led her to the University of Bolton in 2019. With a keen interest in psychological perspectives and the complex factors influencing criminal behaviour, Iona knew that a comprehensive understanding of these elements was crucial for her aspiration to become a probation officer.

She recognised that effective rehabilitation would be impossible without thoroughly exploring an offender's background. This insight drove her to enrol in the Crime and Criminal Justice course here at Bolton University.

Iona studied essential skills required for various roles within the criminal justice system, including probation, prison services, and policing.

She appreciated how the course integrated modules essential for the probation service and offered opportunities for students to volunteer in criminal justice roles. This hands-on experience was invaluable, preparing her for real-world applications of her studies.

Overcoming Challenges and Building a Support Network

Iona's journey was not without its challenges, but credits her tutors, Wendy and Tim, for their unwavering support. "There were many times I felt like giving up, but my tutors, Wendy and Tim always encouraged me to work hard, and I am glad to say it’s now paid off!"

The university’s excellent support services, including career officers whose sessions were embedded throughout the programme, played a significant role in her success. The pandemic added another layer of difficulty, but the university's virtual teaching, counselling, and overall support helped her navigate tough times. Without this support, Iona believes she wouldn’t be where she is today.

The Benefits of the Course Even Surprised Her…

Iona revealed to us that the course benefitted her in ways she didn’t expect! She initially doubted the relevance of certain terminologies and acronyms learned during the course but soon realised their importance while volunteering as a probation support worker.

"To be honest, I thought I would never need them – how wrong was I until I volunteered as a probation support worker, whereby I realised how much the course had prepared me for this role. In my defence lol, how many of us understand the concepts of MAPPA* or MARAC** or even feel we would ever need to……..well considering life in the criminal justice world evolves around protecting the public, thus making the above two acronyms extremely important!"

What’s Iona up to Today?

Her current role as a ‘Housing First’ Worker at Great Places Housing Group has further honed her skills and understanding. As she prepares to apply for a probation officer role, she’s excited about how her education at Bolton University has prepared her for this next step. The course’s comprehensive training has even allowed her to shorten the length of her probation officer training.

A Heartfelt Recommendation

Reflecting on her time at Bolton, Iona feels a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment. "Overall, I enjoyed my time studying at the University of Bolton, it was hard, yet rewarding and I would love to do it all over again!" she says.

If you're passionate about understanding the complexities of criminal behaviour and making a difference in the justice system, the University of Bolton is the place to start your journey.

* Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are a set of statutory arrangements to assess and manage the risk posed by certain sexual and violent offenders.

** Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), is a meeting where information is shared on the highest risk domestic abuse cases between representatives of local police, probation, health, child protection, housing practitioners, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and other specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors.