Coronavirus: an update for prison and education staff

We are doing all we can at Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) to continue to provide courses and to offer support to learners in prison.

An update on our courses and support

We still welcome new applications for course funding.

Please email us scanned copies of application forms, rather than send them by post.

We are only able to support learners who can receive their course materials by post, so please continue to update us on the situation in your prison – get in touch here.

Extensions to assignment deadlines and tutorial support

There may be delays in course materials arriving to your prison and tutorial support may be temporarily postponed, as our course providers deal with the changes to normal working.

Given this disruption, we will make sure that learners’ assignment deadlines and the total period of their tutorial support are extended where necessary.

Unfortunately, exams are likely to be postponed until later this year. We will pass on any updates regarding new dates to you and the learner, as and when we receive them.

Our new Advice Line for learners, staff, family and friends

We have launched a new freephone Advice Line, to support our current learners with their studies.

We can also answer any questions potential learners, prison staff, or family and friends may have at this time.

You can speak to a member of our advice team on 0800 048 7520 on:

Tuesday: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00
Thursday: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00

Alternatively, you can email us at accesstolearning@prisonerseducation.org.uk.

Learners can still contact us by post. Our address is FREEPOST, Prisoners’ Education Trust (no stamp is required). We are also offering support through the Email a Prisoner service.

Get more information and resources

The prison staff area of our website is the best place to keep up-to-date with the current situation.

You can also download our application forms, keep track of application deadlines, and find other handy information and resources for distance learning.

Free resources for learners

We are now offering learners free taster courses in Sport and Nutrition and Construction, Trades, Health and Safety.

To get a copy of these courses for your prison, please get in touch.

The Prisoner Learning Alliance has also published an In Cell Activity Hub. Drawn from a range of organisations and individuals, it brings together free resources for prison and education staff to download and print for learners.

Everyone at PET is incredibly grateful to you for helping learners continue their studies and we will aim to keep you updated as the situation develops.

If you have any questions, please get in touch.