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Thursday, 21 March, 2002, 10:47 GMT
Pupils taste prison life
Prison cell and boy
Students will be shown what it is like in prison
More than a hundred north Wales students will face the strong arm of the law on Thursday as part of a Crime Awareness scheme.

Students found guilty of committing "crimes" during mock trials before pretend magistrates at the Groves High School in Wrexham will find themselves locked up.

Groves High School sign
The scheme will run at the Groves High School

But rather than years in prison the maximum sentence will be one day.

Organisers say the fun day has a serious element - turning youngsters away from crime.

The programme has been developed through partnerships between the school and the "Prison! Me! No Way!" charity from Her Majesty's Prison's in Manchester, Stoke Heath and Liverpool.

Co-ordinating the project is serving Prison Officer Andrew Platt.


We are looking to empower the young people with the knowledge that will hopefully help them make the right choices in life

Inspector Ted Henderson, North Wales Police

He said: "We recognise that there are a lot of pressures on young people today.

"Life is all about making choices, hopefully the right choices - so called joyriding and other forms of car crime is not a lark, it's a crime.

"This scheme will show young people the real consequences of making the wrong choices."

The initiative will run almost entirely on input from the 13 and 14-year-olds.

Workshops have also been set up relating to issues around the police, car crime, drugs and the views of the victim.

Car crime

Terry Wales, headmaster at the school said the scheme should be thought provoking.

"Anything that will make children think about the true consequences of their actions are to be applauded," he said.

North Wales Police are heavily involved in the campaign.

Inspector Ted Henderson said: "We are looking to empower the young people with the knowledge that will hopefully help them make the right choices in life."

The day's proceedings will be rounded off by the North Wales Fire Service.

With the use of actors the brigade will simulate a crash scene and demonstrate the work they undertake following young people's involvement in car crime.


More news from north east Wales
See also:

04 May 01 | Features
Court in the act
13 Mar 02 | Education
Cherie unveils new legal guide
09 Mar 99 | Education
Making pupils better citizens
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