The purpose of education in prisons is to give individuals the skills they need to unlock their potential, gain employment and become assets to their communities. It should also build social capital and improve the well-being of prisoners during their sentences and once they are released back into society.
‘The New Prison Education System for Adults in England’ report (Ministry of Justice), criticised governors for not doing enough to ensure that education, training and work reduces re-offending and supports prisoner rehabilitation. The Coates (May 2016) review of education in prison stresses a whole-organisational approach to education for prison officers, teaching and support staff and for the prisoners themselves. There are a number of technology improvements that are being implemented, including improved internet bandwidth and in-cell technology. Education will be integrated into digital prisons. Existing IT infrastructure will be bolstered to ensure core education will be transformed into a more advanced digital approach.
The long term vision is to fully integrate education into digital prisons allowing in-cell devices in all learning areas, allowing for greater flexibility. Technology can enable new approaches to learning delivery and assessment, making innovative approaches viable when, without that e-support, they otherwise would not be. Education is recognised as a pillar of effective rehabilitation and Augmented Reality or interactive learning, has the capability and structure to assist in all of these methods in an innovative way, offering personalised learning, support and interaction for prison learners.
The Taylor report also suggested that individual Prison Governors will have autonomy to procure education and training resources to meet the needs of both learners plus trainers and support staff in facilitating the prison reforms. Education, training and employment are key to reducing re-offending and prison reform. Prison staff work with young offenders to give them a better chance to successfully re-integrate into society, with better chances of finding work. Education is the engine of social mobility, it is also the engine of prisoner rehabilitation.
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