The Growth Company and the Digital College Win Justice Award

• The Growth Company and the Digital College have won the Digital Innovation Award at the 2025 Inspire Justice Awards.
• The partnership delivers secure, offline digital learning across three prisons in Yorkshire and Humber as part of the CFO Evolution programme.
• Learners gain confidence, purpose, and digital skills to support rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Growth Company has been recognised for its groundbreaking work in prisons.

On 25 September, our team attended the Inspire Justice Awards in London, walking away as winners in the Digital Innovation category alongside our partners at the Digital College.

The award acknowledges the two organisations’ unique approach to education under the CFO Evolution programme, which has transformed learning at three sites: HMP Humber, HMP Moorland, and HMP Wealstun.

Combining technology and humanity

Education in the justice system is often disrupted by a range of logistical and technical issues, including lack of access to appropriate hardware and software, limited resources, continual transfers, and release.

The Growth Company and the Digital College’s initiative aims to remove these barriers by providing students with secure, pre-loaded laptops so they can access over sixty courses tailored to their future goals. Course subjects encompass everything from digital skills and business basics to health and safety and employability.

The platform, developed by the Digital College, works entirely offline, meeting strict prison security requirements while making independent learning simple and easy.

Support Workers from the Growth Company support learners both in custody and after release, encouraging continuity and ongoing development. Once released, participants can continue their learning journey at CFO Activity Hubs or from any internet-connected device, with all previous progress retained.

Reflecting on a successful evening in the capital, the Growth Company’s Curriculum and Quality Improvement Manager, Ewelina Gryglak, said: “We are so proud that this work has been recognised at such a prestigious event.

“This award isn’t just about technology; it’s about innovation with purpose. It’s about finding new, creative ways to support people with lived experience of the justice system, giving them genuine opportunities for change and second chances.

“We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the incredible colleagues and partners who have been part of this journey. Together we’re showing what’s possible when you think differently.”

About CFO Evolution

The Creating Future Opportunities Evolution (CFO Evolution) programme works with offenders and people on probation to reduce re-offending and reinforce the value of leading law-abiding lives. The programme provides a safe space and access to many social, creative and group activities, as well as tailored support.

Learn more on our dedicated webpage.

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 30-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives. We help people and businesses to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across the North of England and beyond.

Contact us today to find out more.

Photograph credit: Skills For Justice / Inspire Justice Awards