Prisoners' Education Trust
@prisonersed.bsky.social
Prisoners' Education Trust (PET) offers distance learning courses and advice and guidance to people in prison. We use our policy and advocacy work to improve prison education.
Support us here: prisonerseducation.org.uk/donate
Support us here: prisonerseducation.org.uk/donate
Our CEO, Jon Collins, has written for FE Week on why we should be building on the positive signs of progress in prison education, not cutting courses and making staff redundant.
https://ow.ly/QL5G50Y8Klm
https://ow.ly/QL5G50Y8Klm
It’s madness to cut jail education as signs of improvement emerge
Literacy programmes in prisons were just beginning to bear fruit, so how can reductions imposed by new teaching contracts make sense
ow.ly
February 4, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Our CEO, Jon Collins, has written for FE Week on why we should be building on the positive signs of progress in prison education, not cutting courses and making staff redundant.
https://ow.ly/QL5G50Y8Klm
https://ow.ly/QL5G50Y8Klm
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
According to an article in the Guardian today, the @readingagency.bsky.social is planning to distribute half a million of their 'Quick Reads' books to prisons in the UK this year.
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
February 3, 2026 at 12:32 PM
According to an article in the Guardian today, the @readingagency.bsky.social is planning to distribute half a million of their 'Quick Reads' books to prisons in the UK this year.
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
While prison education is still nowhere near good enough, it has been slowly improving. The cuts will reverse that.
We back the Justice Committee's call for a clear plan to improve both participation and quality in prison education and to reverse these ill-conceived cuts.
https://ow.ly/K7jx50Y5NOv
We back the Justice Committee's call for a clear plan to improve both participation and quality in prison education and to reverse these ill-conceived cuts.
https://ow.ly/K7jx50Y5NOv
Prison education time slashed by one quarter, MoJ admits
Ministers stress rising costs means prison education delivery must be squeezed
ow.ly
January 30, 2026 at 8:48 AM
While prison education is still nowhere near good enough, it has been slowly improving. The cuts will reverse that.
We back the Justice Committee's call for a clear plan to improve both participation and quality in prison education and to reverse these ill-conceived cuts.
https://ow.ly/K7jx50Y5NOv
We back the Justice Committee's call for a clear plan to improve both participation and quality in prison education and to reverse these ill-conceived cuts.
https://ow.ly/K7jx50Y5NOv
Lee Child, the bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, has been named the first ever Prison Reading Laureate!
He plans to expand the literacy pilot programme he has been running in prisons and bring in more authors to champion the importance of literacy skills.
https://ow.ly/lVQw50Y4LZs
He plans to expand the literacy pilot programme he has been running in prisons and bring in more authors to champion the importance of literacy skills.
https://ow.ly/lVQw50Y4LZs
Prisoners turn new page with launch of Reading Laureate
Author Lee Child announced as first ever Prison Reading Laureate.
ow.ly
January 28, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Lee Child, the bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, has been named the first ever Prison Reading Laureate!
He plans to expand the literacy pilot programme he has been running in prisons and bring in more authors to champion the importance of literacy skills.
https://ow.ly/lVQw50Y4LZs
He plans to expand the literacy pilot programme he has been running in prisons and bring in more authors to champion the importance of literacy skills.
https://ow.ly/lVQw50Y4LZs
Great to read about Lady Grosvenor's new Manchester Metropolitan University scholarship programme for young people who were born to a parent in prison or have served time themselves.
As well as financial help, a dedicated staff member will ensure the recipients get support during their studies.
As well as financial help, a dedicated staff member will ensure the recipients get support during their studies.
The aristocrat fighting to help prison children escape the stigma of crime
Exclusive: Philanthropist and criminologist Lady Edwina Grosvenor, whose godmother was Princess Diana, says prisoners’ children are ‘forgotten’ victims as she launches university scholarships to help ...
www.independent.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Great to read about Lady Grosvenor's new Manchester Metropolitan University scholarship programme for young people who were born to a parent in prison or have served time themselves.
As well as financial help, a dedicated staff member will ensure the recipients get support during their studies.
As well as financial help, a dedicated staff member will ensure the recipients get support during their studies.
It's the UNESCO International Day of Education. In just a few words, Vanessa - who started a counselling course with PET last year - shows why education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.
January 24, 2026 at 8:30 AM
It's the UNESCO International Day of Education. In just a few words, Vanessa - who started a counselling course with PET last year - shows why education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
Probably a good time to reshare 'Getting Connected', our recent @prisonersed.bsky.social briefing on digital learning in prisons.
prisonerseducation.org.uk/2025/12/gett...
prisonerseducation.org.uk/2025/12/gett...
January 23, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Probably a good time to reshare 'Getting Connected', our recent @prisonersed.bsky.social briefing on digital learning in prisons.
prisonerseducation.org.uk/2025/12/gett...
prisonerseducation.org.uk/2025/12/gett...
We always love getting postcards from learners letting us know how they're getting on with their course.
Barry is taking his Bookkeeping Certificate with PET - the start of his journey to becoming a freelance accountant.
Barry is taking his Bookkeeping Certificate with PET - the start of his journey to becoming a freelance accountant.
January 23, 2026 at 8:35 AM
We always love getting postcards from learners letting us know how they're getting on with their course.
Barry is taking his Bookkeeping Certificate with PET - the start of his journey to becoming a freelance accountant.
Barry is taking his Bookkeeping Certificate with PET - the start of his journey to becoming a freelance accountant.
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
"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...
The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has published a report highlighting the challenges people face finding work after prison, and the impact this has on London’s economy.
Read our evidence which features in the report here: https://ow.ly/OmvW50XVYcY
https://ow.ly/qmOH50XVYe0
Read our evidence which features in the report here: https://ow.ly/OmvW50XVYcY
https://ow.ly/qmOH50XVYe0
Employment in London after prison
The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has published its report highlighting the challenges prison leavers face in accessing employment, and the impact this has on London’s economy.
ow.ly
January 13, 2026 at 1:01 PM
The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has published a report highlighting the challenges people face finding work after prison, and the impact this has on London’s economy.
Read our evidence which features in the report here: https://ow.ly/OmvW50XVYcY
https://ow.ly/qmOH50XVYe0
Read our evidence which features in the report here: https://ow.ly/OmvW50XVYcY
https://ow.ly/qmOH50XVYe0
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
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...
Join our Chief Executive Jon Collins and speakers from Nesta, HMPPS and Redemption Roasters for the next instalment of the "How to make good things happen" event series, focused on supporting prison leavers into long-term employment. 12 February at 6pm - tickets are free.
https://ow.ly/vsBw50XU0ov
https://ow.ly/vsBw50XU0ov
Supporting prison leavers into long-term employment
Join us to explore the significant role prison employment and education initiatives have played in the growth of prison leavers sustaining work.
ow.ly
January 12, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Join our Chief Executive Jon Collins and speakers from Nesta, HMPPS and Redemption Roasters for the next instalment of the "How to make good things happen" event series, focused on supporting prison leavers into long-term employment. 12 February at 6pm - tickets are free.
https://ow.ly/vsBw50XU0ov
https://ow.ly/vsBw50XU0ov
This government has said it wants to reduce reoffending. It’s not too late to show they are serious about that commitment by reversing these cuts and investing in prison education, so that more people have the skills and qualifications they will need on release.
https://ow.ly/6h6y50XTUML
https://ow.ly/6h6y50XTUML
Cuts to prison education being hidden, says watchdog
Minister urged to explain budget cuts of up to 65% in some prisons
ow.ly
January 9, 2026 at 10:45 AM
This government has said it wants to reduce reoffending. It’s not too late to show they are serious about that commitment by reversing these cuts and investing in prison education, so that more people have the skills and qualifications they will need on release.
https://ow.ly/6h6y50XTUML
https://ow.ly/6h6y50XTUML
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
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...
"At times when writing our new briefing, I felt like I'd returned to the past. Handwritten assignments, slow communication by post between learners and tutors, limited access to devices and the internet. Learners in prison kept in the digital dark ages."
Prison education: it’s time to bridge the digital divide - Russell Webster
Cassie Edmiston, Head of Fundraising and External Affairs at Prisoners' Education Trust, sets out how the government can boost digital learning in prisons.
ow.ly
December 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"At times when writing our new briefing, I felt like I'd returned to the past. Handwritten assignments, slow communication by post between learners and tutors, limited access to devices and the internet. Learners in prison kept in the digital dark ages."
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
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.
Our new briefing calls for a long-term strategy for digital learning in prison, as inconsistent provision threatens learning opportunities and employment prospects.
It is vital that people in prison do not fall further behind as the pace of change increases.
It is vital that people in prison do not fall further behind as the pace of change increases.
Getting connected: eight ways to boost digital learning in prisons - Prisoners' Education Trust
A new briefing published by Prisoners' Education Trust (PET) calls for a long-term strategy for digital learning in prison.
prisonerseducation.org.uk
December 10, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Our new briefing calls for a long-term strategy for digital learning in prison, as inconsistent provision threatens learning opportunities and employment prospects.
It is vital that people in prison do not fall further behind as the pace of change increases.
It is vital that people in prison do not fall further behind as the pace of change increases.
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 just launched our 2026–27 prospectus, including 12 new courses for people in prison to study. A donation to our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge means people like Andrew can find hope through learning.
Donations will be DOUBLED, while matched funding lasts: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
Donations will be DOUBLED, while matched funding lasts: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
December 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
We have just launched our 2026–27 prospectus, including 12 new courses for people in prison to study. A donation to our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge means people like Andrew can find hope through learning.
Donations will be DOUBLED, while matched funding lasts: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
Donations will be DOUBLED, while matched funding lasts: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
Education can be the key to unlocking a brighter future for someone in prison. Your support means more learners like Robin can lay the foundations for a new career.
Support our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge to have your donation doubled today: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
Support our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge to have your donation doubled today: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
December 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Education can be the key to unlocking a brighter future for someone in prison. Your support means more learners like Robin can lay the foundations for a new career.
Support our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge to have your donation doubled today: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
Support our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge to have your donation doubled today: https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
Thanks to everyone who joined our supporter event last night!
Inspiring stories from alumnus Andy, trustee Seun, our Head of Service Delivery Clare, and Esther Chesterman - CEO at National Extension College - perfectly summed up the impact education can have for people in prison.
Inspiring stories from alumnus Andy, trustee Seun, our Head of Service Delivery Clare, and Esther Chesterman - CEO at National Extension College - perfectly summed up the impact education can have for people in prison.
December 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Thanks to everyone who joined our supporter event last night!
Inspiring stories from alumnus Andy, trustee Seun, our Head of Service Delivery Clare, and Esther Chesterman - CEO at National Extension College - perfectly summed up the impact education can have for people in prison.
Inspiring stories from alumnus Andy, trustee Seun, our Head of Service Delivery Clare, and Esther Chesterman - CEO at National Extension College - perfectly summed up the impact education can have for people in prison.
Our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge is now live! This Christmas, we hope to raise just over £45,000 to fund 66 distance learning courses for people in prison.
From today, any donation made to PET via the Big Give website will be DOUBLED.
https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
From today, any donation made to PET via the Big Give website will be DOUBLED.
https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
Laying foundations, building futures – Big Give
PET provides distance learning courses and advice and guidance to people in prison. These courses help learners lay the foundations …
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Our Big Give #ChristmasChallenge is now live! This Christmas, we hope to raise just over £45,000 to fund 66 distance learning courses for people in prison.
From today, any donation made to PET via the Big Give website will be DOUBLED.
https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
From today, any donation made to PET via the Big Give website will be DOUBLED.
https://bit.ly/PET-BigGive-2
Introducing our 2026–2027 Course Prospectus – PET's most forward-looking and accessible edition yet!
The prospectus includes cutting-edge courses on AI and environmental sustainability, as well as new digital learning opportunities.
Read it here: prisonerseducation.org.uk/2025/12/new-...
The prospectus includes cutting-edge courses on AI and environmental sustainability, as well as new digital learning opportunities.
Read it here: prisonerseducation.org.uk/2025/12/new-...
December 2, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Introducing our 2026–2027 Course Prospectus – PET's most forward-looking and accessible edition yet!
The prospectus includes cutting-edge courses on AI and environmental sustainability, as well as new digital learning opportunities.
Read it here: prisonerseducation.org.uk/2025/12/new-...
The prospectus includes cutting-edge courses on AI and environmental sustainability, as well as new digital learning opportunities.
Read it here: prisonerseducation.org.uk/2025/12/new-...
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
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...
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
It is outrageous that all YOIs in England are delivering less than children's legally mandated 15 hours education a week.
When we hold young people in detention, we must give them the building blocks for a better future. The Government must put education first, for all young people in custody.
When we hold young people in detention, we must give them the building blocks for a better future. The Government must put education first, for all young people in custody.
For the nearly 300 children in England's YOIs, access to education is restricted, with some spending more than 22 hours a day locked in their cells. This cannot be tolerated by the government any longer: it must put education first.
https://ow.ly/q54w50XwMJ1
https://ow.ly/q54w50XwMJ1
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
ow.ly
November 24, 2025 at 11:53 AM
It is outrageous that all YOIs in England are delivering less than children's legally mandated 15 hours education a week.
When we hold young people in detention, we must give them the building blocks for a better future. The Government must put education first, for all young people in custody.
When we hold young people in detention, we must give them the building blocks for a better future. The Government must put education first, for all young people in custody.