The Role and Influence of Prison Education : An ethnographical examination of provision in England

Prison education has been a long-established activity within the prison estate in England, yet there is a dearth of research literature on the nature, role, purpose and focus of education in prisons. An Exploration of Prison Education in England addresses this lacuna by providing a unique insight into prison education, whilst also discussing the challenges and opportunities of undertaking research in a prison context. Drawing on fieldwork that has taken place over the course of the last decade, O'Grady highlights the role, purpose and contribution of prison education within contemporary society in England for prison education practitioners and prison learners. Grounded in social justice principles which aim to locate the learner voice at the heart of the research, O'Grady presents a research framework for ethical design that considers research methodology and offers some insight into how to effectively undertake research with prison communities, rather than on prison communities. With examination of the political decision-making that has influenced the direction of prison education, both nationally and internationally, the book also provides an exploration of prison education within a framework of lifelong learning, drawing on the theoretical framework of Freire in order to understand the basis on which prison education can be studied. This book will be essential reading for academics, researchers and postgraduate students around the globe who are engaged in the study of education, criminology, sociology and psychology. It should also be of great interest to policymakers and to anyone who wants to work with, research and support marginalised groups within society.