The ‘Learner Voice’ program: Evaluating changes in the culture of learning in eight English prisons

• In Event: International Perspectives in Prisoner Education: Innovations and Challenges in Transforming Learning and Learning Culture in Prisons

Abstract

Educational interventions in prison are known to have a positive impact in terms of reducing reoffending; educational attainment is known to improve employment prospects and employment is known to reduce reoffending.

Furthermore, prison culture is a key determinant of whether prisoners are willing to engage in educational activities whilst incarcerated.

This analysis presents findings from the evaluation of a ‘Learner Voice’ initiative led by the Prisoners’ Education Trust. The aim was to test whether the promotion of learning culture in eight English prisons can develop a rehabilitative culture, which will then engage prisoners (including those that are hard to reach) in educational activity.

An initial one day training course and ongoing support was provided for a small group of staff in each prison, with the aim of enabling them to establish their own educational initiative suited to the distinct culture of each prison. A research tool was developed to measure the culture of each prison before and after the initiative. The results showed that the learning culture of the prison was related to the success or failure of the educational initiatives. Prisons that had managed to successfully engage with harder to reach prisoners reported higher scores for ‘empowerment’ and ‘aspirational’.

Authors

• Clare Taylor, Prisoners' Education Trust

• Katherine M. Auty, Cambridge University

• Morwenna Bennallick, Royal Holloway, University of London