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Behind every course we fund, there’s a story. Read them here.

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Night Sky

03 Oct 2019 | Dalton | Prison/university partnerships, Science

“I found my freedom”: studying science in prison

Earlier this month, PET alumnus Dalton spoke at the PLA conference about the impact of studying science in prison. Find out how the innovative Think Like a Scientist programme helped him find his freedom.

Learning to break the habit – Emma’s story

30 May 2019 | Distance learning, Open University, Women

Learning to break the habit – Emma’s story

‘Emma’ started her life sentence with a history of domestic violence and addiction. She tells PET how studying for a degree in English Literature helped her towards recovery and a positive future.

Mark’s story image

28 Mar 2019 | Mark | Employability

“I’m going back to prison”: Mark’s story

Mark left prison in 2018 after serving a Discretionary Life Sentence. Now he’s heading back inside as part of PeoplePlus’ Wayout TV – delivering educational content through televisions in cells.

Prison Educator of the Year: His story

28 Mar 2019 | Stephen Rogers, Prison Educator of the Year | Prison staff, Prisoner Learning Alliance

Prison Educator of the Year: His story

Stephen Rogers teaches Functional Skills English teacher at high-security prison HMP Whitemoor. In March, he received the first Outstanding Prison Educator award from the Worshipful Company of Educators, having been named the ‘winner of winners’ out of last years’ Prisoner Learning Alliance award recipients. 

The Big Give: helping women in prison make a fresh start

08 Mar 2019 | Learner voice, Women

The Big Give: helping women in prison make a fresh start

Thanks to your inspiring support, we raised over £30,000 for women in prison during the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Your support is already making a difference to women studying in prisons across England and Wales. Read about the steps they’re taking to build themselves brighter futures.

PET Young Adult Summit - The Conference (small)

27 Nov 2018 | Women

I drew my way out of prison: Erika’s story

When Erika went to prison she set herself the task of drawing a postcard a day for the whole of her sentence. Getting funding for a BA Hons in Visual Arts inside opened the door to working as an artist and tutor after release.

Women studying in prison

03 Nov 2018 | Women

I spent 40 years being told I was stupid

Every year, PET funds nearly 200 women in prison to take distance learning courses. We travelled to Cheshire’s HMP Styal to meet some of them.

Picture of a pin board

26 Jul 2018 | Jason Warr | Film, Learner voice, University study

Film: “I went to uni after a life sentence”

Jason was 17 when he went to prison. At the end of his sentence he decided to apply to university. In this video interview, he talks about overcoming rejection to gain a place at university, and why all institutions should welcome people with a history of imprisonment.

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