Research/Report
Author(s): Cormac Behan, Maynooth University
Education in prison has a long history. From the early days of the institution in the late 1700s, it has evolved from moral education and spiritual guidance to diverse approaches and practices today. As the modern prison spread, so did the numbers it housed. Currently, there are more than 11 million people in penal institutions worldwide. While mass incarceration raises profound ethical questions, in the educational context, the unique environment of the prison creates a range of challenges. This research digest begins with considering how the objectives of the early iteration of the prison allowed for a conception of education to meet these aims. It examines how educators have tried to carve out the space for pedagogy as the prison expanded, policy developed, and the context in which education operated changed. It provides an overview of some recent developments in education behind bars, and concludes that a holistic approach to education is essential in order to meet the needs of the learner group.