Young people (u26) in prison are restricted in their educational opportunities, particularly at higher levels (GCSEs and upwards). Though some compulsory education exists, it focuses on a narrow curriculum with little opportunity for progression. For young people who have longer sentences there are few courses to keep them engaged. One young person said “During my sentence I need to try and advance my learning at the right level and attempt to make something positive of my sentence.”

We will provide distance learning courses, advice and guidance to young people in prison, enabling them the opportunity to works towards a career goal or personal aspiration such as making their family proud of them. We will also build our Prison University Partnerships in Learning (PUPiL) network, supporting universities who wish to teach courses in prison. This encourages young people to consider their educational progression through distance learning and after their prison sentence ends.