Jon Collins
@jonbcollins.bsky.social
Chief Executive of Prisoners’ Education Trust (@prisonersed.bsky.social) and criminal justice nerd.
"We must properly fund prison education. Some institutions face cuts of up to 60% in their education provision. That’s not just short-sighted, it’s self-defeating."
Very good article on the importance of literacy and prison education by @pauldaviesmp.bsky.social.
politicsuk.com/literacy-beh...
Very good article on the importance of literacy and prison education by @pauldaviesmp.bsky.social.
politicsuk.com/literacy-beh...
Literacy Behind Bars: a Silent Crisis We Can’t Ignore - P...
More than half of people in UK prisons cannot read beyond primary-school level. Writing exclusively for Chamber UK, Paul Davies says that until we treat literacy as central to sentencing reform, rehab...
politicsuk.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:43 AM
"We must properly fund prison education. Some institutions face cuts of up to 60% in their education provision. That’s not just short-sighted, it’s self-defeating."
Very good article on the importance of literacy and prison education by @pauldaviesmp.bsky.social.
politicsuk.com/literacy-beh...
Very good article on the importance of literacy and prison education by @pauldaviesmp.bsky.social.
politicsuk.com/literacy-beh...
Good to see the author Lee Child promoting the importance of literacy work in prisons, and the work he’s doing with the MP Paul Davies.
www.thetimes.com/uk/get-brita...
www.thetimes.com/uk/get-brita...
Lee Child: Books let me escape my dull, grey Sixties childhood
The Jack Reacher author, who is leading a drive to cut reoffending by raising literacy in jails, reveals the stories that gave him a world of adventure
www.thetimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Good to see the author Lee Child promoting the importance of literacy work in prisons, and the work he’s doing with the MP Paul Davies.
www.thetimes.com/uk/get-brita...
www.thetimes.com/uk/get-brita...
Good to see this @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social follow-up report on reading in prisons. It's a really important issue where I think pressure from HMIP, Ofsted and others is beginning to make a difference.
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Reading for rehabilitation – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
January 13, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Good to see this @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social follow-up report on reading in prisons. It's a really important issue where I think pressure from HMIP, Ofsted and others is beginning to make a difference.
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
I’m really looking forward to this new BBC1 TV drama on teaching philosophy in prison, based on Andy West’s brilliant book ‘The Life Inside’.
insidetime.org/comment/wait...
insidetime.org/comment/wait...
Waiting for the Out: a prison drama that tackles life’s big questions
A new Saturday night prison drama on BBC1, called Waiting for the Out, focuses on Dan, who begins teaching Philosophy classes in a men’s jail. Each week he leads discussions about dominance, freedo…
insidetime.org
January 3, 2026 at 8:48 AM
I’m really looking forward to this new BBC1 TV drama on teaching philosophy in prison, based on Andy West’s brilliant book ‘The Life Inside’.
insidetime.org/comment/wait...
insidetime.org/comment/wait...
Good to see the @i-m-b.bsky.social highlighting the impact that cuts to prison education budgets are having. Lots of really worrying examples in their letter, including cuts to vocational training and support for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.
imb.org.uk/news/concern...
imb.org.uk/news/concern...
Concerns raised over cuts to real-term prison education budgets - Independent Monitoring Boards
Photo by Andy Aitchison Elisabeth Davies, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) National Chair, has today written to the Prisons Minister,
imb.org.uk
December 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Good to see the @i-m-b.bsky.social highlighting the impact that cuts to prison education budgets are having. Lots of really worrying examples in their letter, including cuts to vocational training and support for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.
imb.org.uk/news/concern...
imb.org.uk/news/concern...
This is a positive initiative by @pauldavieswxm.bsky.social and the author Lee Child to promote literacy in prisons.
I also really like this quote from Lee Child, "Ideally, what we wanted to do was make everybody’s day a little bit easier in the prison world".
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
I also really like this quote from Lee Child, "Ideally, what we wanted to do was make everybody’s day a little bit easier in the prison world".
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Thrillers should be on UK school curriculum to boost reading, says Lee Child
Bestselling author says focus on ‘masterpieces’ puts children off as he promotes prison literacy scheme
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:00 AM
This is a positive initiative by @pauldavieswxm.bsky.social and the author Lee Child to promote literacy in prisons.
I also really like this quote from Lee Child, "Ideally, what we wanted to do was make everybody’s day a little bit easier in the prison world".
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
I also really like this quote from Lee Child, "Ideally, what we wanted to do was make everybody’s day a little bit easier in the prison world".
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is a really good blog by my colleague @cassieedmiston.bsky.social on our new briefing on access to digital devices and the internet in prison, highlighting the progress made but also the ongoing digital divide between what's available in prison and in the community.
Prison education: it’s time to bridge the digital divide Cassie Edmiston, Head of Fundraising and External Affairs at @prisonersed.bsky.social , sets out how the government can boost digital learning in prisons.
www.russellwebster.com/prison-educa...
www.russellwebster.com/prison-educa...
Prison education: it’s time to bridge the digital divide
Cassie Edmiston, Head of Fundraising and External Affairs at Prisoners' Education Trust, sets out how the government can boost digital learning in prisons.
www.russellwebster.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:34 AM
This is a really good blog by my colleague @cassieedmiston.bsky.social on our new briefing on access to digital devices and the internet in prison, highlighting the progress made but also the ongoing digital divide between what's available in prison and in the community.
Reposted by Jon Collins
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge - we've raised a record £46,819 so far!
The appeal is open until midday tomorrow - every donation means more people in prison can gain qualifications and build towards a brighter future: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
The appeal is open until midday tomorrow - every donation means more people in prison can gain qualifications and build towards a brighter future: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
December 8, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge - we've raised a record £46,819 so far!
The appeal is open until midday tomorrow - every donation means more people in prison can gain qualifications and build towards a brighter future: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
The appeal is open until midday tomorrow - every donation means more people in prison can gain qualifications and build towards a brighter future: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
We have reached our @biggive.bsky.social target!! A huge, huge thank you to the 115 people who have donated. We are very grateful for your support.
Like every other charity on Bluesky, we're taking part in the Big Give.
So if you'd like to support PET's work now's the time as any donations between now and midday on Tuesday will be *DOUBLED*.
bit.ly/PET-BigGive-3
So if you'd like to support PET's work now's the time as any donations between now and midday on Tuesday will be *DOUBLED*.
bit.ly/PET-BigGive-3
December 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
We have reached our @biggive.bsky.social target!! A huge, huge thank you to the 115 people who have donated. We are very grateful for your support.
Like every other charity on Bluesky, we're taking part in the Big Give.
So if you'd like to support PET's work now's the time as any donations between now and midday on Tuesday will be *DOUBLED*.
bit.ly/PET-BigGive-3
So if you'd like to support PET's work now's the time as any donations between now and midday on Tuesday will be *DOUBLED*.
bit.ly/PET-BigGive-3
December 2, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Like every other charity on Bluesky, we're taking part in the Big Give.
So if you'd like to support PET's work now's the time as any donations between now and midday on Tuesday will be *DOUBLED*.
bit.ly/PET-BigGive-3
So if you'd like to support PET's work now's the time as any donations between now and midday on Tuesday will be *DOUBLED*.
bit.ly/PET-BigGive-3
It's always great to see positive coverage of work that prisons are doing, like this farm in East Sutton Park.
One person said, for example, that "Farming, to me, is really special. I found it to be a brilliant escape from everything I've ever known".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
One person said, for example, that "Farming, to me, is really special. I found it to be a brilliant escape from everything I've ever known".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Maidstone prison teaches inmates to run farm on site - BBC News
The farm holds cattle, sheep and pigs – some of which are named after prison officers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
It's always great to see positive coverage of work that prisons are doing, like this farm in East Sutton Park.
One person said, for example, that "Farming, to me, is really special. I found it to be a brilliant escape from everything I've ever known".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
One person said, for example, that "Farming, to me, is really special. I found it to be a brilliant escape from everything I've ever known".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No surprises here, sadly. YOIs are really, really struggling to provide a regime that gets young people out of their cells.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
👮 None of England’s young offender institutions provided children in their care with the education they were entitled to during the last three years, an FE Week probe has revealed
feweek.co.uk/englands-thr...
feweek.co.uk/englands-thr...
England's three YOIs fail 15-hour education requirement
None of England’s young offender institutions provided children in their care with the education they were entitled to during the last three years reveals probe
feweek.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
No surprises here, sadly. YOIs are really, really struggling to provide a regime that gets young people out of their cells.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
I really enjoyed this discussion with Charlie Taylor of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social and Cathy McGuinness, even if the general tone was quite downbeat.
Education in prison can make such a difference, which is why it's so important to get it right.
Education in prison can make such a difference, which is why it's so important to get it right.
Last week, we held a Howard League Spotlights event on prison education and training. A recording of the event is now available on our website and YouTube channel.
If you missed the discussion, or if you would like to watch it again, click here: https://howardleague.org/spotlights/
If you missed the discussion, or if you would like to watch it again, click here: https://howardleague.org/spotlights/
November 21, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I really enjoyed this discussion with Charlie Taylor of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social and Cathy McGuinness, even if the general tone was quite downbeat.
Education in prison can make such a difference, which is why it's so important to get it right.
Education in prison can make such a difference, which is why it's so important to get it right.
It’s always good to see more employers committed to employing prison leavers.
But it’s also vital to get prison education working properly, so people in prison can get the skills and qualifications that employers need.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But it’s also vital to get prison education working properly, so people in prison can get the skills and qualifications that employers need.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Crime-cutting jobs plan sees hundreds of firms join hiring drive
Britain’s biggest businesses have joined the Government’s hiring drive to get prison leavers into work in effort to cut crime as part of the Plan for Change.
www.gov.uk
November 16, 2025 at 11:46 AM
It’s always good to see more employers committed to employing prison leavers.
But it’s also vital to get prison education working properly, so people in prison can get the skills and qualifications that employers need.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But it’s also vital to get prison education working properly, so people in prison can get the skills and qualifications that employers need.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Predictably critical report out today from the Justice Select Committee on rehabilitation in prisons. But good to see the committee call for the government to "publish a clear plan to improve both participation and quality in prison education".
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
‘Dire’ prison conditions putting rehabilitation and reoffending reduction ‘at risk’, Justice Committee warns - Committees - UK Parliament
Prison overcrowding, staffing shortages and deteriorating infrastructure is having a ‘profound impact on the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation’, a new report published today (No...
committees.parliament.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Predictably critical report out today from the Justice Select Committee on rehabilitation in prisons. But good to see the committee call for the government to "publish a clear plan to improve both participation and quality in prison education".
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
If this happens, I think just one PCC - Tim Passmore in Suffolk - will have been in the role for the entire 16 year period it will have existed.
Katy Bourne has also held the role in Sussex since 2012, but it's due to be abolished there when a new mayor is elected in 2027.
Katy Bourne has also held the role in Sussex since 2012, but it's due to be abolished there when a new mayor is elected in 2027.
November 13, 2025 at 12:04 PM
If this happens, I think just one PCC - Tim Passmore in Suffolk - will have been in the role for the entire 16 year period it will have existed.
Katy Bourne has also held the role in Sussex since 2012, but it's due to be abolished there when a new mayor is elected in 2027.
Katy Bourne has also held the role in Sussex since 2012, but it's due to be abolished there when a new mayor is elected in 2027.
This is one of the saddest things I've read for a long time but it's also beautifully written and important.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong
The long read: I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:51 AM
This is one of the saddest things I've read for a long time but it's also beautifully written and important.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
This is a typically forthright assessment of the state of the prison system - which he describes as “close to breaking point” - by Charlie Taylor of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social in the Telegraph. And good to see cuts to education budgets highlighted.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This is a typically forthright assessment of the state of the prison system - which he describes as “close to breaking point” - by Charlie Taylor of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social in the Telegraph. And good to see cuts to education budgets highlighted.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Well, this is bleak. Not wrong. But bleak.
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Flashing Red
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Well, this is bleak. Not wrong. But bleak.
Nice to read about something positive in the prison system - the work of @libertychoiruk.bsky.social!
“Hans is distressed, angry. But then he sings. He smiles. A first moment of calm.”
Read more as Paul Webster shares what he learned singing with prisoners every week.
https://bit.ly/3JDjnPg
Read more as Paul Webster shares what he learned singing with prisoners every week.
https://bit.ly/3JDjnPg
What I learned singing with prisoners every week
Behind bars, violence and despair are overwhelming. But when Liberty Choir meets, something extraordinary happens
bit.ly
November 2, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Nice to read about something positive in the prison system - the work of @libertychoiruk.bsky.social!
Good to see this recommendation on increasing access to education and training in today’s Justice Select Committee report on drugs in prison.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
October 31, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Good to see this recommendation on increasing access to education and training in today’s Justice Select Committee report on drugs in prison.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
I'm looking forward to giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on prison education in Wales this afternoon, with @stgilestrust.bsky.social and Estyn . Lots to cover, including funding, breadth of provision and digital learning.
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2557747...
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2557747...
MPs to examine education and employment opportunities for Welsh prisoners
MPs are set to examine education and employment opportunities for Welsh prisoners at a meeting in the Palace of Westminster.
www.southwalesargus.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I'm looking forward to giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on prison education in Wales this afternoon, with @stgilestrust.bsky.social and Estyn . Lots to cover, including funding, breadth of provision and digital learning.
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2557747...
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2557747...
Reposted by Jon Collins
With the publication of the ‘Just passing time’ thematic review, Chief Inspector, Charlie Taylor, outlines the problems with current work and training provision in adult prisons and his concerns that cuts will make things worse.
Read the blog: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/what-do...
Read the blog: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/what-do...
October 15, 2025 at 9:52 AM
With the publication of the ‘Just passing time’ thematic review, Chief Inspector, Charlie Taylor, outlines the problems with current work and training provision in adult prisons and his concerns that cuts will make things worse.
Read the blog: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/what-do...
Read the blog: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/what-do...
Reposted by Jon Collins
Good luck to everyone running the Royal Parks Half today! We have six wonderful runners fundraising for PET.
Here’s why Liv is choosing to run for us today. You can support her efforts here: https://ow.ly/2gaw50X9egO
Here’s why Liv is choosing to run for us today. You can support her efforts here: https://ow.ly/2gaw50X9egO
October 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Good luck to everyone running the Royal Parks Half today! We have six wonderful runners fundraising for PET.
Here’s why Liv is choosing to run for us today. You can support her efforts here: https://ow.ly/2gaw50X9egO
Here’s why Liv is choosing to run for us today. You can support her efforts here: https://ow.ly/2gaw50X9egO
This is a terrific article on pub closures, including looking at the Trafalgar near me in Colliers Wood.
It’s so impressive what @londonermag.bsky.social, and @jim.londoncentric.media’s @londoncentric.media, are doing for London journalism.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/trafalgar-wi...
It’s so impressive what @londonermag.bsky.social, and @jim.londoncentric.media’s @londoncentric.media, are doing for London journalism.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/trafalgar-wi...
They claim to save London pubs. So why have they shut so many down?
Linea Homes has been called the “grim reaper” of pubs. Their targets include some of Peckham, Wimbledon and Camden’s most iconic boozers.
www.the-londoner.co.uk
October 4, 2025 at 7:03 AM
This is a terrific article on pub closures, including looking at the Trafalgar near me in Colliers Wood.
It’s so impressive what @londonermag.bsky.social, and @jim.londoncentric.media’s @londoncentric.media, are doing for London journalism.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/trafalgar-wi...
It’s so impressive what @londonermag.bsky.social, and @jim.londoncentric.media’s @londoncentric.media, are doing for London journalism.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/trafalgar-wi...