Lived Experience Consultants (LECs) share the progress that has been made to reach and support more learners in prison, as part of PET’s project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
This expands on our earlier blog – The barriers to studying in prison: what PET learners told us. The illustrations are by fellow LEC, Erika Flowers – see more of her work here.
PET’s vision is for the lives of people in prison to be transformed through learning. To progress that vision, the core aims of this project – funded by The National Lottery Community Fund – are to better support those already studying to complete their distance learning course, and to help anyone who has disengaged from their learning journey, for whatever reason, back on their way.
In 2023 PET spoke to 61 people across eight different prisons, to gather vital feedback on their distance learning experience.
We are acting on what learners said: you spoke, we acted. Here’s a closer look at some of the improvements that we have already made.
You spoke
Learners said they wanted more information about:
- how to access tutor support
- what happens if their course requires an exam
- how to submit assignments to the course provider
- what to do when transferring prisons, and
- how to get help if they feel they’re struggling
We acted
The content of PET’s successful application letter – the first communication with new learners – has been changed.
Each month we receive over 200 applications and issue around 100 successful letters.
The content has been expanded to help learners study effectively from the outset, giving comprehensive information on:
- course materials – what to expect from the course provider, and what to do if they cannot complete the course in time
- tutor support – what it is, who to speak to in order to access it, and what to do if there are any issues or delays in accessing it
- assignments – how and where to send them, and how to use feedback
- exams – what to expect, the importance of booking your place early, and who to speak with to arrange exams
- being transferred or released when still studying – a reminder to get in touch with PET to make sure they can continue with their studies if they move or leave prison
- support – what to do if they are struggling, what to expect from PET and a spotlight on our free Advice Line
We have also included this information in our course prospectus. This is a valuable reference point for course applicants and current learners.
We have launched a whitelisted website, approved by HMPPS and accessed by people in prison. This enables people to view information on courses and how to apply. They can also study free short courses in a range of subjects and read positive learner stories, as well as find out the different ways to contact PET for advice, guidance and support.
PET updated its promotional posters and rolled these out to education departments, libraries, workshops and chaplaincies in every prison in England and Wales.
The fresh posters were designed and created in collaboration with five PET Lived Experience Consultants. They were directed at both people in prison and prison staff – spotlighting the support provided via PET’s free Advice Line and signposting prison staff to ways they can support learners.
The Prison staff resources area on our website has been developed. Here, prison staff can access advice and guidance to help them in supporting distance learners in their prisons. Guidance is presented through a mixture of useful documents, handbooks, videos and information cards.
What’s next?
The changes implemented so far were only possible because of the incredible feedback and contributions from people in prison. These are essential to creating better models of delivery, so we will continue to consult with people in prison and prison staff to assess the impact of this work. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!
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