As part of a week of activities within Trent Wing, replacing what should have been the Wing Camp, several cadets and staff ventured across to the National Justice Museum in Nottingham on Thursday.
The museum covers the UK’s justice system, from it’s earliest day’s through to the modern day, showing how things have changed, through real cases, exhibits and stories. After spending some time exploring the former prison dating back to the Georgian times, the visit prompted a session on how the Criminal Justice System could be reformed, getting those taking part in a healthy discussion about the good and the bad for both victims and the perpetrators of crime.
With OC Wing acting as clerk to the court, the cadets and staff took part in a mock Crown Court trial, giving them an understanding of how cases are heard, evidence presented and how juries and judges decide the fates of those in front of them. All the key roles were filled by cadets, from Judge to Jury, Prosecution and Defence. The trial took place in the museum’s former Crown Court, which was built in 1879 and is one of two at the centre, which were only taken out of use in 1991. Whilst the case they were hearing was a mock trial, there was no escaping the fact that many real people had been through the building, with many not leaving it how they would have liked.
You might ask why and what this has to do with being in the RAF Air Cadets, that’s a simple one. With one of the main aims of the RAFAC focussing on citizenship, understanding how the justice system works and how crime is dealt with is part of the wider knowledge of being as good citizen, as well as how things might be changed in the future. Our thanks to all the staff at the centre, who made the day a great success!