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
"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.
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 11:36 AM
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
Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust
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...
We are joining the Zahid Mubarek Trust’s Movement for Race Equality in Prisons.
We support their call for renewed ambition, action and accountability on race equality across the prison system.
Find out more about the movement and how to join here ⬇️
We support their call for renewed ambition, action and accountability on race equality across the prison system.
Find out more about the movement and how to join here ⬇️
Join The Movement
Join The Movement “The way individuals are treated in prison affects their chances of rehabilitation in tangible and intangible ways. Tangibly, access to opportunities like training courses, prison jobs and behaviour management programmes affects offenders’ ability to cope without reoffending when they leave prison. Intangibly, the extent to which prisoners believe they are treated fairly…
ow.ly
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
We are joining the Zahid Mubarek Trust’s Movement for Race Equality in Prisons.
We support their call for renewed ambition, action and accountability on race equality across the prison system.
Find out more about the movement and how to join here ⬇️
We support their call for renewed ambition, action and accountability on race equality across the prison system.
Find out more about the movement and how to join here ⬇️
The Justice Committee's new report highlights the dire state our prisons are in. The government needs to set out an ambitious plan to provide consistent access to high-quality education and training. The first step should be reversing cuts to budgets that will only make a bad situation worse.
‘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 10:01 AM
The Justice Committee's new report highlights the dire state our prisons are in. The government needs to set out an ambitious plan to provide consistent access to high-quality education and training. The first step should be reversing cuts to budgets that will only make a bad situation worse.
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