I had an ‘email-a-prisoner’ from a pal who hadn’t been in touch for a while. After 10 weeks of lockdown he had obviously discovered an app on his smart phone. He joked that the lockdown must be great for me – that nothing had changed in my life! Ha ha!
He couldn’t have been more wrong. I admonished him (gently) in my reply and went about my new routine of filling in the hours. It’s a struggle to do nothing all day, but the following day my fortune changed!
In the post I received confirmation that the Prisoners Education Trust (PET) was happy to approve funding for my chosen Distance Learning Course. Instead of just killing time I would be studying in cell and gaining priceless qualifications. The next course on my journey involves ‘Exercise for Older Adults’ – I should know how important that is – I am fast becoming one while in prison!
There are numerous courses that are offered through the prison education departments. These range from ‘Functional Skills in English’, maths and ICT, through to vocational qualifications like plastering and joinery. But there isn’t really any specialist training provided by the prison colleges – it only stands to reason – they generally have to choose courses that are deliverable in the prison environment, that have broad appeal and that are relevant in society.
If you go outside of the prescribed curriculum there is a cost attached. If you have enough money, or familial support, you could self-fund and pay for distance learning courses. Not many can. In certain circumstances you can apply for a student loan to fund education but there are a number of courses that don’t qualify for student loan funding. Thank God for the Prisoners Education Trust!
Where possible the PET will support prisoners by funding distance learning courses up to a cost of around £500 – like my ‘Exercise for Older Adults’ course and the Level 3 diploma in ‘Nutrition for Physical Activity’ that they funded last year. I have known lads that have achieved qualifications in drug counselling, anger management, bookkeeping, business start-up and so much more. In many situations it is only through the PET prisoners can access the meaningful education that will give them a chance to both improve themselves and to perhaps develop a career that will reduce the risk of recidivism.
When somebody comes to prison it can generally be taken as an indication that there was something wrong with the lifestyle choices that were being made on the outside. Rehabilitation can only occur if changes to that lifestyle can actually be achieved in prison – if the same people return to society with the same attitudes and the same skill set then it is likely that they will make the same choices all over again.
When I left society I was still generally employable. I have worked since leaving school, generally in management positions. I’ve always earned decent salaries and been a mortgage payer. But that was before.
To date I have racked up £18,000 in student loans – it will be past £24,000 by the time I finish my degree. I achieved industry recognised qualifications in teaching and personal training but I am not a fool. If a prospective employer actively seeking a trainer whittles the applicants down to 2 CVs with a personal trainer qualification, it only stands to reason that the candidate who has not been to prison will get the job. It is therefore incumbent on me to try to be able to offer sufficient skills that outweigh distaste.
When I identified course for a Diploma in Nutrition for Physical Activity I was dismayed to see that it cost around £400. I went through the application process and submitted a letter to the PET outlining why I wanted to do the course, how the course would help me, and what I intended to do afterwards. Around a month later I received a reply, the PET were going to fund me! Thanks to the ongoing support of the Prisoners Education Trust there are also indirect beneficiaries.
A week later I received the course materials and I have to say that I devoured them (figuratively speaking). I was industrious and completed the assignments and case study in double quick time. Then, after my examination (which was invigilated by the Education Department) I received the letter and the good news. Wahoo!
But what’s the point? Why is it worth funding prisoners to learn?
According to figures released by the Prison Reform Trust at one of their Bromley Summer Briefings, 42% of the adult male prison population report having no qualifications whatsoever – compared to 15% of the population at large. Is it really any wonder that recidivism rates are currently in excess of 50%?
With the support of the Education Department, every Monday afternoon I have 10 learners that I can deliver a class on nutrition to. I have designed a course that explores food types, varieties and the importance of a healthy diet. We keep and analyse weekly food diaries and make long-term lifestyle choices.
There are life skills here to. We talk about the locus of control. Yes, we are in prison and yes the food is less than ideal, however, we can still make smarter choices – nobody is force-feeding us. So rather than sit back and blame circumstances we are taking responsibility for our actions. I have seen lads apply this style of thinking to other aspects of their lives – I am doing the same.
Then there are the health benefits. One learner on our group has shed a stone (over 6 KG) in 5 weeks – purely through better dietary choices. He also reckons he is eating a larger volume of food than he used to – it’s just smarter food choices.
Word has spread! Where it not for the whole Covid lockdown I would currently be offering a similar service to some of the staff here.
So here is my point. The PET funded my nutrition course. There are a dozen of us prisoners that are benefiting immediately. Not only are we making healthier choices in our diet, but we are learning to make better choices in our lives. I have gained another valuable qualification and even better, I am building a portfolio of clients and work experience that will serve me well in my future endeavours. Thank God for the PET who are funding distance learned rehabilitation.
When I am eventually paroled I will be applying for work. When it comes to appointing an ex-con, well I know how brave somebody would have to be to make that decision. As a manager and employer before I came to prison I would automatically have binned any CV that had even a hint of prison about it. But since I have been in prison I have realised that I may have missed a golden opportunity. Generally, when somebody leaves prison they are under strict licence conditions with probation. They re-enter society nervous and yet determined. Most will have a point to prove and a determination to succeed. In many cases they will work harder than the average Joe.
If and when I return to society I will be considerably older, an ex-con and a convicted murderer. It is a gross understatement to say that finding any meaningful employment will be difficult. When that employer looks at 2 CVs I need to break the reflex action of dumping mine in the bin – to make them stop and think about how much more they can get for their £££ – to give an ex-con a chance.
If it weren’t for the ongoing funding of the Prisoners Education Trust I would be far less optimistic about my chances of being useful when I make it back to society. I want to be able to give back – the PET are giving me the qualifications, skills, tools and confidence to do so.
email: info@prisonerseducation.org.uk
Twitter: @PrisonersEd
