Introduction and Description

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This course provides a comprehensive and critically informed examination of prison education as a pedagogical, social and ethical endeavour situated at the intersection of criminology, educational theory, human rights discourse and public policy. Prison education occupies a paradoxical position: it unfolds within institutions historically associated with punishment, control and exclusion, yet aspires to promote personal development, social reintegration, civic participation and desistance from crime. The programme therefore engages participants in interrogating the tensions between realism—embodied in institutional constraints, security protocols, structural inequalities and limited autonomy—and idealism—expressed through humanistic, rehabilitative and transformative aims.

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Drawing on contemporary research and comparative international perspectives, the course analyses the historical evolution and socio-political functions of incarceration, the dynamics of recidivism, and the role of education in shaping identity reconstruction, agency and pathways out of offending. Attention is given to the complex profiles of incarcerated learners, many of whom experience overlapping vulnerabilities such as low literacy, disrupted schooling, socio-economic marginalisation, migration histories, trauma exposure and neurodiversity. Participants explore how such factors interact with institutional cultures to influence learning motivation, engagement and behavioural regulation.

 

Pedagogically, the course foregrounds evidence-informed approaches—trauma-responsive, strengths-based, restorative, inclusive and dialogic—capable of fostering trust, dignity and meaningful participation within restrictive settings. It examines the dilemmas educators face when balancing pedagogical integrity with procedural constraints, navigating power dynamics, and sustaining professional wellbeing in high-stress environments. Through case studies, international models, and field-based learning opportunities, participants evaluate both the enabling conditions and inherent limitations of correctional education systems.

 

A significant emphasis is placed on reintegration and desistance-oriented strategies, highlighting the importance of educational continuity, community partnerships, and inter-agency collaboration between teachers, psychologists, social workers and correctional staff. Participants develop practical competencies in designing adaptable curricula, implementing accessible learning experiences, and supporting adult and young offenders in pathways toward autonomy, employability and social inclusion. Ultimately, the course equips educators to critically reflect on their professional role, apply insights from prison education to mainstream contexts, and contribute to broader preventive and inclusive educational ecosystems that address the structural factors leading to marginalisation, exclusion and contact with the criminal justice system.