Latest news with #MickAmos
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Prison on wheels visits U.K. schools to teach kids about life behind bars
Students at an elementary school in England weren't sure what to think when a prison on wheels recently arrived on their campus. "You are now gonna become prisoners," former police officer Mick Amos told dozens of students dressed in inmate attire, according to CBS News partner network BBC News. "You'll be scanned, photographed and fingerprinted." Students at Crigglestone St. James Academy in West Yorkshire were then taken into cells built with items from local jails — such as stainless-steel toilets — to make the interactive experience behind bars as realistic as possible. The prison project is designed to teach kids a hard-hitting lesson on the consequences of crime. A few minutes on the inside is enough for most — who find it eye opening and unsettling. Sixth grader Ava called the cell "disgusting" and said being inside it made her feel claustrophobic and anxious. "It was really sad to see all the cards and pictures on the walls and to think about not being able to see your friends and family," she said. Another youngster also had a strong reaction, saying, "It's made me think I don't wanna do anything wrong to ruin my life — and I don't want to go in there." Organizers say that's exactly the point. The replica jail helps open the door to tough conversations about subjects like drugs, alcohol and violence. "Like sexting and indecent images, knife crime — we'll discuss that and they'll get all the information they need to make informed choices that will really help the future," said Amos, who is behind the prison project. In the U.K., where jail isn't just for grown-ups, early intervention is critical. "You can be arrested at 10 years of age, so they deserve to know about their responsibilities. It's not a scare tactic, it's just information and awareness," Amos said. The mobile prison doesn't only stop at schools. It also visits youth clubs and sports organizations, reaching young people across the community. The prison on wheels runs on cash seized from criminals, turning bad money into a good lesson. Delta Air Lines' 100th year takes flight 9 young siblings killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza Full interview: Jack McCain on "Face the Nation"
CBS News
26-05-2025
- CBS News
Prison on wheels visits U.K. schools to teach kids about life behind bars: "You are now gonna become prisoners"
Mobile prison cells show students what life behind bars is like Students at an elementary school in England weren't sure what to think when a prison on wheels recently arrived on their campus. "You are now gonna become prisoners," former police officer Mick Amos told dozens of students dressed in inmate attire, according to CBS News partner network BBC News. "You'll be scanned, photographed and fingerprinted." Students at Crigglestone St. James Academy in West Yorkshire were then taken into cells built with items from local jails — such as stainless-steel toilets — to make the interactive experience behind bars as realistic as possible. The prison project is designed to teach kids a hard-hitting lesson on the consequences of crime. A few minutes on the inside is enough for most — who find it eye opening and unsettling. Sixth grader Ava called the cell "disgusting" and said being inside it made her feel claustrophobic and anxious. "It was really sad to see all the cards and pictures on the walls and to think about not being able to see your friends and family," she said. Another youngster also had a strong reaction, saying, "It's made me think I don't wanna do anything wrong to ruin my life — and I don't want to go in there." Organizers say that's exactly the point. The replica jail helps open the door to tough conversations about subjects like drugs, alcohol and violence. "Like sexting and indecent images, knife crime — we'll discuss that and they'll get all the information they need to make informed choices that will really help the future," said Amos, who is behind the prison project. In the U.K., where jail isn't just for grown-ups, early intervention is critical. "You can be arrested at 10 years of age, so they deserve to know about their responsibilities. It's not a scare tactic, it's just information and awareness," Amos said. The mobile prison doesn't only stop at schools. It also visits youth clubs and sports organizations, reaching young people across the community. The prison on wheels runs on cash seized from criminals, turning bad money into a good lesson.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mobile prison used to teach children about crime
A mobile prison cell, complete with bunk beds and a metal toilet, is visiting primary schools to teach children about crime. The project, HMP Not-4-Me, was set up by former West Yorkshire Police officer Mick Amos who converted a van to look like a jail. He said allowing children to experience prison life can "inspire them to make good choices". During a visit to Crigglestone St James Academy in Wakefield, pupils were put through a mock custody procedure and 'locked up' for a few minutes. Year 6 pupil Ava said the cell was "disgusting" and being inside made her feel claustrophobic and anxious. "It was really sad to see all the cards and pictures on the walls and to think about not being able to see your friends and family," she said. As part of the interactive experience the children were issued with prison jumpers and had their fingerprints and photographs taken. Mr Amos, who also plays a police officer on Coronation Street, said the project was "not a scare tactic" and that targeting primary-age children was important. "Children can be arrested when they are 10 years old so they deserve to know about their responsibilities," he said. The project will visit 25 primary schools in Wakefield. It is being paid for by the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund which takes money seized from criminals in West Yorkshire and reinvests it into local organisations and community groups. Mr Amos said he saw "a lot of good people get steered down the wrong path" during his 11 years as a police officer. "Anyone can make a mistake and then there is a devastating impact on the person and also on their family and friends," he said. "Early intervention is key so I show them what it's like to have your freedom taken away and that can be really impactful." The portable prison is also taken into youth clubs, sports clubs and other organisations. During the sessions young people are given advice on drugs and alcohol as well as issues like sharing explicit images on social media and violence against women and girls. Mr Amos said no topic was "off limits". He added: "Obviously it's about engaging them and the kids do have a lot of fun but there is a serious message about social boundaries and the rule of law. "There is a lot of peer pressure with social media so we look at how the choices we make have consequences." Mission to tackle teenagers' 'trauma' with police Mayor's Safer Communities Fund
BBC News
20-05-2025
- BBC News
Mobile prison cell visits Wakefield schools to teach about crime
A mobile prison cell, complete with bunk beds and a metal toilet, is visiting primary schools to teach children about project, HMP Not-4-Me, was set up by former West Yorkshire Police officer Mick Amos who converted a van to look like a said allowing children to experience prison life can "inspire them to make good choices".During a visit to Crigglestone St James Academy in Wakefield, pupils were put through a mock custody procedure and 'locked up' for a few minutes. Year 6 pupil Ava said the cell was "disgusting" and being inside made her feel claustrophobic and anxious. "It was really sad to see all the cards and pictures on the walls and to think about not being able to see your friends and family," she part of the interactive experience the children were issued with prison jumpers and had their fingerprints and photographs taken. Mr Amos, who also plays a police officer on Coronation Street, said the project was "not a scare tactic" and that targeting primary-age children was important."Children can be arrested when they are 10 years old so they deserve to know about their responsibilities," he said. The project will visit 25 primary schools in is being paid for by the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund which takes money seized from criminals in West Yorkshire and reinvests it into local organisations and community groups. Mr Amos said he saw "a lot of good people get steered down the wrong path" during his 11 years as a police officer."Anyone can make a mistake and then there is a devastating impact on the person and also on their family and friends," he said."Early intervention is key so I show them what it's like to have your freedom taken away and that can be really impactful." The portable prison is also taken into youth clubs, sports clubs and other the sessions young people are given advice on drugs and alcohol as well as issues like sharing explicit images on social media and violence against women and Amos said no topic was "off limits".He added: "Obviously it's about engaging them and the kids do have a lot of fun but there is a serious message about social boundaries and the rule of law."There is a lot of peer pressure with social media so we look at how the choices we make have consequences."
