Our Story
The Prison Opticians Trust was co-founded by Tanjit Dosanjh OBE and Dr Amandeep Sappal, who studied Optometry together at City University, London.
During his studies, Tanjit’s father commenced a long prison sentence for a serious criminal offence. He visited his father regularly and quickly observed the lack of decent vocational training available to offenders.
Our co-founders were encouraged by an optical programme in California’s prisons where one optical lab in 1989 had grown to five labs, manufacturing over 400,000 spectacles. Many offenders had become qualified opticians after leaving the prison.
Since 2016, The Trust has been dedicated to providing training in optics to prisoners, helping them gain valuable skills and secure employment within the optics industry upon their release.
Initially, we trained both female and male prisoners on day release in Maidstone, Kent. However, in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned our training programs behind prison walls in 2022. This enabled us to train male offenders in both a Category B and Category C prison.
Our course lasts approximately 10 weeks and prepares trainees for work as an Optical Assistant. At the end of the programme, trainees will receive an accredited Level 2 Qualification in Supporting Optical Retail. Topics covered during the course include ocular anatomy, understanding prescriptions, choosing spectacle frames and lenses, ocular diseases and customer service. During the 10 weeks of training we observe trainees to determine whether they would make good employees. We only recommend those trainees who we are confident will be an asset to an employer.
To date, we have successfully trained over 100 prisoners. Out of the 65 trainees who are now living in the community, 40 were able to secure employment in the Optics industry.
Distance Learning
As well as in-person training, we also offer a distance learning course to ex offenders. Trainees are sent a resource pack which will guide their independent studies and prepare them for a final exam. To track their progression, weekly assignments are submitted for marking and returned with feedback. Trainees who successfully complete the course and demonstrate good time-management, commitment and consistency are then provided with a positive reference which can be used when looking for employment. As above, additional support in finding work can be offered to suitable candidates. If you are interested in taking part in our distance learning course, click ‘apply now’
Success Stories
Laura’s Story
Life was grim before my arrest. It was a dark place where I was trapped in a whirlwind of lies, deceit and abuse.
Endless times I prayed for a way out, but just didn’t know how to achieve this. I was helpless having distanced myself from my friends and family. I was an embarrassment. I had no confidence and I scraped myself through each day ignoring the past and the present.
My arrest came as a shock, a horrible court case and then an initial sentence at one of the most notorious women’s prisons in England. This was an eye opener. I was amongst people who liked the prison community life…This was not for me.
I was reassured by my case worker that I’d only be kept here a few weeks and that I should apply to be released into an open prison. I prayed and cried every night…and was soon sent to East Sutton Park.
God was answering my prayers. A place where women could rehabilitate and restructure their lives. I remember getting out of the van at the gates to ESP to a team of happy looking officers. I could see a farm, blue skies, an open space. I was very very grateful. My time here was going to be a few months and it wasn’t long before I’d enrolled myself in every programme possible to reform myself and better my chances on release.
One of the posters I came across was for The Prison Opticians Trust, to train and learn to be an optical assistant. So what was The Prison Opticians Trust? It was a fantastic opportunity to work hard, challenge myself and gain skills which would help launch me into a new career path upon release from ESP. My interview with the directors was successful and I was offered a place on this training programme. I knew at this point there was no turning back and once you’ve hit rock bottom, the only place you can go is up.
I remember reading the prospectus and thinking I wanted to be some sort of optician. I wanted to help people who were struggling with their vision. The course was immense and intense. I had the option to kick myself into full speed and cram it all in in a much shorter timescale than usual. But I was committed. My life changed from the moment I started with The Prison Opticians Trust . I had focus and meaning. I also had confidence and believed in myself.
Now, having passed The Prison Opticians Trust programme with high marks, I’m working full time in a local optician and studying to qualify towards becoming a contact lens optician. I wake up each morning feeling fresh, light on my feet, clear-minded and very very grateful.
Anyone can make the change, you just have to commit yourself to do this for yourself, no one is going to do it for you…
Dan’s Story
I spent my teenage years tangled up in a life of crime and had been to prison before.
My most recent offence saw me imprisoned for a much longer sentence of 4.5 years and it was then I knew things had to change. The birth of my children was a wake up call.
My mindset switched and I wanted to learn something new to help me focus and to occupy my time in prison with something meaningful. I applied for a place on the training course at the Prison Opticians Trust and was successful. The work was challenging and interesting.
After four weeks I was offered a work placement at a high street Opticians. Fast forward six weeks and I have now been offered a permanent position.
I cannot thank the Prison Opticians Trust enough for giving me an opportunity to find work in a profession I had never considered. This experience has shown me that if I put in the work and change my mentality I can do things I never thought possible. I am going to make my children proud.
