IMPROVING ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND DISTANCE LEARNING IN PRISONS

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IMPROVING ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND DISTANCE
LEARNING IN PRISONS

• Anne Pike Open University UK (a.e.pike_at_open.ac.u
  k)
• Tracy Irwin University of Ulster
  (t.irwin_at_ulster.ac.uk)

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Background

• Individual Research in prisons
• International Workshops
• (5th Pan Commonwealth Forum on Distance
  Education London, July 2008)
• Study group formed
• Contributors from England, N.Ireland, Spain,
  France India
• Transnational research
• Online discussion
• Sharing of best practice

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Higher and Distance Education in Prison

• 3 Main Themes Identified
• Prison
• Pedagogy
• Technology

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Prison

• Punishment versus Rehabilitation
• Public/media perception
• Benefits of Higher Education
• Role models

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Prisoner Population

• Demotivated, disaffected learners
• Poor literacy and numeracy skills
• Dyslexia
• Mental health difficulties
• Drug/alcohol addictions
• Less than 25 participation in education

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Pedagogy

• Unique prison culture
• EURODESIP project
• Traditional classroom based model
• Heavy focus on basic skills
• Little training for tutors
• Contracting out of education in UK

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Pedagogy

• Special people
• Use of prison officers
• Informal learning
• HE study for prisoners
• HE study for prison staff

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Conclusion - Pedagogy

• Induction and orientation training
• Access to HE for Prison Officers
• Development of Officer role
• Formal and informal education

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Technology

• Technology versus security
• Internet access
• Ability to use ICT on release
• European trials
• Virtual Campus Model
• POLARIS
• e-LIS Development Partnership

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Conclusion - Technology

• Flexible programmes
• Modern technologies
• Secure web access
• Campus model physical or virtual
• E-learning networks
• Enhanced trials

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Collaborative Action by

• Governments
• Prison and probation services
• HEIs
• Employers
• Researchers
• European collaboration
• Research informing practice

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Questions