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
A big thank you to PET's trustees this #TrusteesWeek. It was brilliant to spend time together at our away day recently - seeing their passion, commitment and generosity first hand.
Some have even gone the extra mile literally: Seun ran the Royal Parks Half last month and has raised nearly £600!
Some have even gone the extra mile literally: Seun ran the Royal Parks Half last month and has raised nearly £600!
Our trustees - Prisoners' Education Trust
PET’s board of trustees has a wide range of experience in prison education, social policy, finance and charity management.
prisonerseducation.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:07 PM
A big thank you to PET's trustees this #TrusteesWeek. It was brilliant to spend time together at our away day recently - seeing their passion, commitment and generosity first hand.
Some have even gone the extra mile literally: Seun ran the Royal Parks Half last month and has raised nearly £600!
Some have even gone the extra mile literally: Seun ran the Royal Parks Half last month and has raised nearly £600!
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
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...
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
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!
This is great from Tom Wheatley, President of the Prison Governors’ Association, on what we miss out on by cutting prison education budgets:
“With enough staff, in those prisons where the regime works, the atmosphere changes. Disorder and debt shrink. Violence falls. Staff job satisfaction climbs."
“With enough staff, in those prisons where the regime works, the atmosphere changes. Disorder and debt shrink. Violence falls. Staff job satisfaction climbs."
Teachers made redundant as prison education slashed by 20 per cent
HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) has been told that education provision across all prisons in England and Wales has been cut by around 20 to 25 per cent. The reduction in service affects existing …
ow.ly
October 30, 2025 at 8:30 AM
This is great from Tom Wheatley, President of the Prison Governors’ Association, on what we miss out on by cutting prison education budgets:
“With enough staff, in those prisons where the regime works, the atmosphere changes. Disorder and debt shrink. Violence falls. Staff job satisfaction climbs."
“With enough staff, in those prisons where the regime works, the atmosphere changes. Disorder and debt shrink. Violence falls. Staff job satisfaction climbs."
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
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...
Great to read about this partnership between East Surrey College and HMP High Down, funded by the Mayor of London.
The project helps people nearing the end of their sentence prepare for the future by equipping them with green technology skills in an innovative Immersive Suite in the prison.
The project helps people nearing the end of their sentence prepare for the future by equipping them with green technology skills in an innovative Immersive Suite in the prison.
ESC and HMP High Down collaborate on innovative prisoner rehabilitation project - East Surrey College
East Surrey College and HMP High Down have been driving an initiative, called ‘Greys to Green’, that will transform learning opportunities and rehabilitation for prisoners. The collaborative project, which has been funded by the Mayor of London, aligns with the government’s Reducing Reoffending Plan. The two-year long collaboration has finally reached its goal in installing an Immersive Suite in the prison in Sutton. It will be used to prepare those nearing the end of their sentence for reintegration into society, by equipping them with employable skills within the green technology...
ow.ly
October 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Great to read about this partnership between East Surrey College and HMP High Down, funded by the Mayor of London.
The project helps people nearing the end of their sentence prepare for the future by equipping them with green technology skills in an innovative Immersive Suite in the prison.
The project helps people nearing the end of their sentence prepare for the future by equipping them with green technology skills in an innovative Immersive Suite in the prison.
Today's @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on work and training is worrying yet unsurprising. The government needs to fix prison regimes and the first step should be reversing cuts to education budgets that will only make a bad situation worse.
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
‘Just passing time’: A review of work and training provision in adult prisons – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
October 13, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Today's @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on work and training is worrying yet unsurprising. The government needs to fix prison regimes and the first step should be reversing cuts to education budgets that will only make a bad situation worse.
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Congratulations and thank you to all the amazing runners who ran the Royal Parks Half for PET - we are so grateful for your support!
Every donation, big or small, helps people prepare for release, improve their mental health and find hope for a brighter future: https://ow.ly/iQUX50X9g5j
Every donation, big or small, helps people prepare for release, improve their mental health and find hope for a brighter future: https://ow.ly/iQUX50X9g5j
October 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Congratulations and thank you to all the amazing runners who ran the Royal Parks Half for PET - we are so grateful for your support!
Every donation, big or small, helps people prepare for release, improve their mental health and find hope for a brighter future: https://ow.ly/iQUX50X9g5j
Every donation, big or small, helps people prepare for release, improve their mental health and find hope for a brighter future: https://ow.ly/iQUX50X9g5j
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
So far this year, we have funded 1,210 distance learning courses for learners in prison.
Jonan is running the Royal Parks Half on Sunday so that more people in prison can access transformative education: https://ow.ly/Cbxu50X9clG
Jonan is running the Royal Parks Half on Sunday so that more people in prison can access transformative education: https://ow.ly/Cbxu50X9clG
October 10, 2025 at 7:30 AM
So far this year, we have funded 1,210 distance learning courses for learners in prison.
Jonan is running the Royal Parks Half on Sunday so that more people in prison can access transformative education: https://ow.ly/Cbxu50X9clG
Jonan is running the Royal Parks Half on Sunday so that more people in prison can access transformative education: https://ow.ly/Cbxu50X9clG
Thank you so much to all our amazing runners who will be running the Royal Parks Half this Sunday to fundraise for PET. We can't wait to cheer from the sidelines!
You can help Ashton reach her target here: www.justgiving.com/page/ashton-...
You can help Ashton reach her target here: www.justgiving.com/page/ashton-...
October 8, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Thank you so much to all our amazing runners who will be running the Royal Parks Half this Sunday to fundraise for PET. We can't wait to cheer from the sidelines!
You can help Ashton reach her target here: www.justgiving.com/page/ashton-...
You can help Ashton reach her target here: www.justgiving.com/page/ashton-...
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
I've had a look at the prison education statistics for last year and there's some good news in there, albeit very modest and from a low starting point.
Hard to see how that will be sustained, though, with upcoming budget cuts about to hit provision that was already chronically underfunded.
Hard to see how that will be sustained, though, with upcoming budget cuts about to hit provision that was already chronically underfunded.
Small gains in prison education at risk from budget cuts
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com/small-gains-...
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com/small-gains-...
Small gains in prison education at risk from budget cuts
Jon Collins of the Prisoners' Education Trust reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I've had a look at the prison education statistics for last year and there's some good news in there, albeit very modest and from a low starting point.
Hard to see how that will be sustained, though, with upcoming budget cuts about to hit provision that was already chronically underfunded.
Hard to see how that will be sustained, though, with upcoming budget cuts about to hit provision that was already chronically underfunded.
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
Small gains in prison education at risk from budget cuts
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com/small-gains-...
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com/small-gains-...
Small gains in prison education at risk from budget cuts
Jon Collins of the Prisoners' Education Trust reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com
September 29, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Small gains in prison education at risk from budget cuts
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com/small-gains-...
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com/small-gains-...
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
Good to see @feweek.bsky.social covering the recent @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on child custody.
Young people are spending far too much time in their cell and not enough time in classrooms or doing other positive activities.
Young people are spending far too much time in their cell and not enough time in classrooms or doing other positive activities.
September 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Good to see @feweek.bsky.social covering the recent @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on child custody.
Young people are spending far too much time in their cell and not enough time in classrooms or doing other positive activities.
Young people are spending far too much time in their cell and not enough time in classrooms or doing other positive activities.
While young people in the community are starting a new school year or preparing for college or university, young people in custody are sitting in their cell doing and learning nothing.
There should be no more excuses. It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first.
There should be no more excuses. It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first.
Outcomes remain worryingly poor for children in custody
An annual review of survey responses from children in custody has revealed that many continue to feel unsafe, are failing to get to education and feel uncared for by staff.
www.linkedin.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:04 AM
While young people in the community are starting a new school year or preparing for college or university, young people in custody are sitting in their cell doing and learning nothing.
There should be no more excuses. It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first.
There should be no more excuses. It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first.
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
A huge, huge thank you to Richard Farrant, who's currently celebrating his 80th birthday by cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End and is raising money for @prisonersed.bsky.social.
If you can contribute at all, I'm sure that'd help him on his way.
www.justgiving.com/page/richard...
If you can contribute at all, I'm sure that'd help him on his way.
www.justgiving.com/page/richard...
Richard's fundraiser for Prisoners' Education Trust
Help Richard Farrant raise money to support Prisoners' Education Trust
www.justgiving.com
September 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A huge, huge thank you to Richard Farrant, who's currently celebrating his 80th birthday by cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End and is raising money for @prisonersed.bsky.social.
If you can contribute at all, I'm sure that'd help him on his way.
www.justgiving.com/page/richard...
If you can contribute at all, I'm sure that'd help him on his way.
www.justgiving.com/page/richard...
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
'Prison education funding cuts are a serious misstep'
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social on how new research shows most prisoners were failed by the education system. Prison education budget-cutting risks failing them twice
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social on how new research shows most prisoners were failed by the education system. Prison education budget-cutting risks failing them twice
feweek.co.uk
September 20, 2025 at 1:29 PM
'Prison education funding cuts are a serious misstep'
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social on how new research shows most prisoners were failed by the education system. Prison education budget-cutting risks failing them twice
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social on how new research shows most prisoners were failed by the education system. Prison education budget-cutting risks failing them twice
The Frank Awards - a joint programme between @longfordtrust.bsky.social and PET - help people in prison to start a degree with @openuniversity.bsky.social.
At his graduation ceremony, held in prison and attended by his family, a Frank Award holder spoke about what getting a degree meant for him 👇
At his graduation ceremony, held in prison and attended by his family, a Frank Award holder spoke about what getting a degree meant for him 👇
"Anything is possible, if you try hard enough" - The Longford Trust
One Frank Award scholar reflected on how education has changed him, as he graduated with an MSc at a ceremony held in prison.
www.longfordtrust.org
September 23, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The Frank Awards - a joint programme between @longfordtrust.bsky.social and PET - help people in prison to start a degree with @openuniversity.bsky.social.
At his graduation ceremony, held in prison and attended by his family, a Frank Award holder spoke about what getting a degree meant for him 👇
At his graduation ceremony, held in prison and attended by his family, a Frank Award holder spoke about what getting a degree meant for him 👇
Another eye-catching new initiative: teaching people in prison to build bikes from bamboo.
Bamboo Bicycle Club runs a six-week bike-building course at HMP Lowdham Grange. The curriculum starts with theory lessons on workshop safety and bamboo, then spans product design, mechanics and business.
Bamboo Bicycle Club runs a six-week bike-building course at HMP Lowdham Grange. The curriculum starts with theory lessons on workshop safety and bamboo, then spans product design, mechanics and business.
How Bamboo Bicycle Club is helping to break the prison cycle
Meet the engineer inspiring inmates to forge a new future
www.ft.com
September 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Another eye-catching new initiative: teaching people in prison to build bikes from bamboo.
Bamboo Bicycle Club runs a six-week bike-building course at HMP Lowdham Grange. The curriculum starts with theory lessons on workshop safety and bamboo, then spans product design, mechanics and business.
Bamboo Bicycle Club runs a six-week bike-building course at HMP Lowdham Grange. The curriculum starts with theory lessons on workshop safety and bamboo, then spans product design, mechanics and business.
Over a four-year sentence that saw him moved between six prisons, Will Pendray carried his notebooks with him, using poetry as the one constant in an often traumatic journey.
He's now published his debut anthology after gaining an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Brighton.
He's now published his debut anthology after gaining an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Brighton.
Prison experience inspires Brighton graduate’s powerful poetry anthology
An ex prisoner who turned to poetry as a lifeline in jail has published his debut anthology, shaped by his postgraduate studies at the University of Brighton.
www.brighton.ac.uk
September 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Over a four-year sentence that saw him moved between six prisons, Will Pendray carried his notebooks with him, using poetry as the one constant in an often traumatic journey.
He's now published his debut anthology after gaining an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Brighton.
He's now published his debut anthology after gaining an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Brighton.
Great to read about The Lock Inn, the mock pub-restaurant in HMP Liverpool that's training people in skills like cooking, serving and running a kitchen so they can work towards hospitality qualifications. Everyone who completes the course is guaranteed a job interview with the Marston's pub chain.
Prisoners cannot go to pubs, so pubs are going to prisons
A pub-restaurant has opened in HMP Liverpool, called The Lock Inn, training those inside in hospitality skills such as cooking, serving, and running a busy kitchen. The initiative was launched by p…
insidetime.org
September 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Great to read about The Lock Inn, the mock pub-restaurant in HMP Liverpool that's training people in skills like cooking, serving and running a kitchen so they can work towards hospitality qualifications. Everyone who completes the course is guaranteed a job interview with the Marston's pub chain.
Last month, we reached a new milestone: we have given 50,000 educational awards to people in prison since we were founded in 1989!
There's no better way to mark the moment than to share good news about one of the learners we've supported this year: Jacob passed his A-level Maths, achieving an A* 👏
There's no better way to mark the moment than to share good news about one of the learners we've supported this year: Jacob passed his A-level Maths, achieving an A* 👏
September 13, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Last month, we reached a new milestone: we have given 50,000 educational awards to people in prison since we were founded in 1989!
There's no better way to mark the moment than to share good news about one of the learners we've supported this year: Jacob passed his A-level Maths, achieving an A* 👏
There's no better way to mark the moment than to share good news about one of the learners we've supported this year: Jacob passed his A-level Maths, achieving an A* 👏
This #RememberACharityWeek, find out how leaving a gift to PET in your will can support learners like David, who’s studying for his Health and Safety qualifications: bit.ly/PET-legacy #GiftsinWills
![Quote from learner that reads: "My family are happy and proud I’m using my time in prison constructively. The courses are improving my chances of employment on my release. Got my D-CAT [open prison] as I have taken steps to better myself. Confidence has improved, I have proved to myself I can achieve.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lfbeeghr4fibvk4s3vwfpixv/bafkreiaklx46kjsu2cgvlrsmvytbzh5tgozekpcul4gchitg5eez6xvkeq@jpeg)
September 12, 2025 at 7:15 AM
This #RememberACharityWeek, find out how leaving a gift to PET in your will can support learners like David, who’s studying for his Health and Safety qualifications: bit.ly/PET-legacy #GiftsinWills
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farewill.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:01 AM
We’ve partnered with Farewill, the UK's largest will-writing service, to offer free wills to our friends and supporters. Claim yours today and pass on a passion for learning. #RememberACharityWeek
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
Good to see innovative things - in this case a workshop teaching people to build bikes out of bamboo - happening in prisons despite all the current challenges. And also good to see the value of family connections being realised.
www.ft.com/content/6ebe...
www.ft.com/content/6ebe...
September 5, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Good to see innovative things - in this case a workshop teaching people to build bikes out of bamboo - happening in prisons despite all the current challenges. And also good to see the value of family connections being realised.
www.ft.com/content/6ebe...
www.ft.com/content/6ebe...