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An inclusive and welcoming group dedicated to furthering knowledge and understanding about education in prison contexts across the four nations of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and internationally.

ÌýThis SIG offers a vital cross-disciplinary platform for colleagues working across criminology, sociology, education, policy development and justice reform. We are interested in advancing, and connecting, theory, policy and practice for the benefit of the many groups and individuals affected. It intersects meaningfully with the work of other SIGs, particularly those focused on inclusion, social justice, and lifelong learning.

We welcome anyone interested in advancing knowledge and discussion in this field, and actively encourage including people with lived experience of teaching and learning in prison or any other closed institution. We organise vibrant discursive events and engage in relevant writing projects. We’d be delighted to hear from you if you’d like to learn more.

Research interests:

ÌýOpportunities and challenges for prison educators

• Access and barriers to learning in prison
• Core educational offer in prisons
• FE and HE partnerships and delivery within prisons
• Postgraduate certification in prison
• Education for children and young people in prison
• Arts-based learning in prisons
• Practical and/or vocational education in prisons
• Library studies in prison settings
• Informal learning in prisons
• Lived experience of education in prison
• National and international policy
• Theoretical developments
• Creating learning spaces in prisons

SIG aims

ÌýThe SIG will create opportunities to:

• Co-create knowledge and understanding in relation to theory, policy and practice for education in prison
• Strengthen partnerships between universities and prison education providers
• Support practitioner research and professional development for prison educators
• Advance inclusive pedagogies and curriculum design tailored to custodial contexts
• Explore pathways into and through higher education for incarcerated learners
• Make space for a range of voices, experiences and perspectives, including lived experience wisdom
• Grow the network in this space

½¿É«µ¼º½ Education in Prison Forum