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Prisoners' Education Trust

@prisonersed.bsky.social
1.3K followers 392 following 190 posts

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

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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 17h
There are only 20 of us in the PET team, but we've helped nearly 1,500 people start courses in prison this year. That's only possible because we have the incredible support of prison staff who help learners get started with their studies every day. Thank you to them this #HiddenHeroesDay
A screenshot of part of our application form that reads "Have you received any advice or guidance from PET, peer mentors, prison staff, the course provider, or another organisation to help you choose this course?" and shows ticks next to "PET" and "Prison staff"
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Ministry of Justice has announced an expansion of the Future Skills Programme to support people in prison to get jobs in construction. New investment is very welcome but the last set of academies never really got off the ground so they will need to learn from that. www.gov.uk/government/n...
Excerpt from Ministry of Justice press release saying: "The Future Skills Programme will be expanded to strengthen the pathway of prison leavers into construction jobs, with around 750 prisoners expected to benefit. Training and work experience will be designed for the sector, while new Construction Academies will have direct links with employers in the community."
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Today's @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on children in custody makes for very depressing reading. The government must fix this, focusing on getting young people out of their cells and into high-quality education. hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
Children in custody 2025–26 – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
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Mark O'Mahony @themarkages.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Really important stuff about the impact of education cuts on women in prison. Very glad to see @prisonersed.bsky.social and @workingchance.bsky.social putting this out there to highlight it.
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Great to write this with @workingchance.bsky.social and a big thank you to @themarkages.bsky.social for his work on it. Education cuts are having a huge impact across the prison estate, but bigger cuts in the women's estate will inevitably have a bigger impact.
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Women in prison are losing education when they need it most. Education hours in women's prisons have been cut by an average of 30%, compared with 25% across men’s prisons. Our CEO Jon Collins and Natasha Finlayson OBE, CEO at Working Chance, are calling on the government to reverse the cuts.
russellwebster.com
Women in prison are losing education when they need it most - Russell Webster
Jon Collins of PET and Natasha Finlayson of Working Chance raise concerns about cuts to education in women's prisons.
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
You just can't keep putting more and more people into already overstretched prisons and expect the regimes to cope. Any increase in capacity has to come with more staff, more education places, more jobs etc. Instead education has been cut, inexplicably. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show
Exclusive: Ten category C prisons in England and Wales asked to add second beds, in breach of safe occupancy limits
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Education provision was cut by 46% at HMP Lancaster Farms under the new contracts. Now the prison's capacity is being increased by 40%. How will it be possible to provide education and training to the expanded population? www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Lancashire prison to gain 240 extra places
HMP Lancaster Farms capacity boosted by more than 40 per cent as part of largest prison expansion programme since the Victorian era
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A gift in your will can make a huge difference to learners like Joe, who’s studying our Understanding Mentoring and Coaching course. This #RememberACharityWeek, we have two offers for supporters if you would like to write or refresh your will. Find out more here: bit.ly/PET-legacy
Quote card image that reads, "It is allowing me to support others but also allowing myself to know I am making use of my time in prison in a positive way which shows me I'm growing as a person and I can do positive things with my life."
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Good to see this in today's @i-m-b.bsky.social report on Styal Prison (which also has a Marston's hospitality training academy). Partnerships with employers can help to ensure that people in prison get the training they need in prison and get a job on release. imb.org.uk/document/sty...
Paragraph from a report which reads "The Board has also noted that the prison continues to maintain a positive and productive relationship with Starbucks. Representatives from Starbucks attend the prison several times each year to deliver engagement events and return between these sessions to interview suitable candidates for employment opportunities. Previous events have included former participants returning to speak with women in custody about their own employment journeys and successful transition into work following release."
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Ant has lived experience of the justice system and has seen first-hand the benefits education can bring to people in prison. Here's why he's running the Royal Parks Half for PET this October - for a second time! Help him hit his £500 target here: www.justgiving.com/page/runningpeta…
Quote card that reads: "£500 will fund a distance learning course for a person in prison. Not just any course, but one that will contribute to turning their life around - and once released, not ending up back inside.

"My personal focus for this run is to think about the additional benefits of education, such as helping people improve mental and physical wellbeing."
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
We've got a letter in the Guardian today highlighting the need to invest in prison education and training, giving people in prison something positive to do with their time, rather than just cramming more and more people into already overcrowded prisons. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Education in prison is key to tackling the crisis | Letters
Letters: It would be better for the government to focus on rehabilitative programmes, rather than turning laundry rooms into extra cells, writes Jon Collins. Plus letters from Margaret Carey, Simon Ha...
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
We’re so grateful that Lucy is running the Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon for PET, to help people in prison gain the skills and confidence to create a better future. You can help her reach her £1,000 target here: www.justgiving.com/page/lucyontherun
Quote from Lucy that reads: "Supporting a loved one in prison has given me a real insight into the challenges people face while in custody. 

"I’ve come to realise just how many talented, skilled and capable individuals are in prison, many of whom simply need the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

"Every donation helps provide education to people in prison, giving them the opportunity for a fresh start on release - with the confidence and skills to contribute positively to society."
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Thanks to a £35,000 grant from the Army Benevolent Fund, we funded 56 distance learning courses for veterans in prison last year. Our courses can help people in prison turn their lives around. A huge thanks to the Army Benevolent Fund for making it possible. Read some of their stories here.
prisonerseducation.org.uk
Helping veterans in prison find new purpose - Prisoners' Education Trust
Discover how a grant from the Army Benevolent Fund is supporting veterans in prison to gain qualifications and build new beginnings.
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
This is a good edition of @theguardian.com's Today in Focus podcast with @helenpidd.bsky.social looking at the prisons crisis. And good to hear PET trustee Judith Feline contributing! www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
theguardian.com
Prisons are full - who should be released early? – podcast
Former prison governor Judith Feline on the reality of our overcrowded prisons and Peter Walker on why it’s causing a headache for Andy Burnham
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Find out about HMP Birmingham’s Royal Historical Society programme and the men learning to grow vegetables for local food banks. We're helping people gain the skills to work in horticulture too: 38 learners are studying the RHS Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development we offer.
thetimes.com
How HMP Birmingham’s gardens cultivate hope among inmates
An initiative at the category B prison has been described as a win-win: helping rehabilitate prisoners and producing vegetable plugs for community gardens
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Best of luck to everyone getting their A-level results today, whether in prison or out. At PET, we offer 13 different A-levels to people in prison - from Business to History and Maths to Psychology. We've helped 62 people start the qualification this year. Find out what studying means to them 👇
Rob, studying A-Level English Language: "I would like to say a massive thank you to the PET team for funding my course and believing in me. I think what you guys do at PET is critical in helping lads like myself have a second chance in life to make up for what we have missed out on."Francesca, studying A-Level Sociology: "I'm enjoying the course, it's mentally challenging me and I hope this level of study will help prepare me for a degree."Simon, studying A-Level Classical Civilisation: "Thank you for funding me to do this course. The education I have accessed due to PET is the only worth while things I have done since coming to prison in 2018. Thanks to you I am doing something constructive with my time."Olufemi, studying A-Level Mathematics: "Getting the opportunity to study A- Level Maths is a great way to serve my sentence and developing the problem-solving skills that will become useful and valuable post-release."
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
This is really interesting and encouraging, particularly given that people are assigned to the wing randomly and the running costs aren't higher. Would be interesting to see what would happen if staff were assigned randomly (but still given the training, support etc).
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Thank you so much to everyone who supported our Summer Appeal. We raised £14,333 – £10,000 of which has been matched by a generous trust. That's a total of £24,333! Your kindness will help us to meet the rise in demand for distance learning and impact the lives of so many people in prison.
Handwritten quote by learner: “I am studying Understanding Substance Misuse Level 3. This benefits my Mental Health as I love learning and I have learnt a lot. It is helping me confirm I want to go into that line of work.”
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
One last spot has become available for the Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon in London this October! Help give people in prison access to life-changing education. Email our Fundraising team today to secure your spot and run for PET: events@prisonerseducation.org.uk
prisonerseducation.org.uk
Run the Royal Parks Half for PET this October! - Prisoners' Education Trust
Run the Royal Parks Half for Prisoners' Education Trust to give people in prison the opportunity to gain vital skills and qualifications.
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Half of people in prison are estimated to have dyslexia - five times the rate of the general population. Tailored support is essential to making education in prison accessible and transformative. The recent cuts are putting that at risk. Read more here 👇
ow.ly
Supporting learners with dyslexia in prison - Prisoners' Education Trust
Half of people in prison are estimated to have dyslexia. We explore the challenges they face and the targeted support helping them succeed.
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Congratulations to @cmckinnellmp.bsky.social, who has been appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Justice and seems likely to take on the prisons and probation brief formerly held by Lord Timpson. It's a huge, important job with a lot of potential to make a real difference.
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. We're very grateful for your support. And if you haven't donated yet, and you'd like to, the appeal is still running and any donations will enable people in prison to access education.
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
We've raised £11,308 so far in our Summer Appeal! The first £10,000 of donations has been doubled thanks to matched funding - but we still need your support. Help more people in prison bridge the gap between their past and their future through learning. Give today: bit.ly/BTGBluesky5
Illustration by Erika Flowers showing a learner celebration event
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Congratulations to @alexjjnorris.bsky.social, the new Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice!
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Excellent letter in the Guardian from @profianpickup.bsky.social from the Open University on the value of prison education. Amber Rudd's review is an opportunity to look at how education can be improved to enable more people in prison to access its benefits. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Long-term solutions to the Prison Service crisis | Letters
Letters: Prof Ian Pickup on prison education, Henry Rossi on resentencing IPP prisoners, Andrew RC McLellan on earlier release and Dr Rod Earle on a lesson from 1930s Red Vienna
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
With prison education cut by a quarter and an increased demand for PET’s distance learning courses, we need your support to ensure that people in prison can continue to study. Have your donation doubled today in our Summer Appeal – Bridging the Gap: bit.ly/BTGBluesky4
Illustration by Erika Flowers showing a learner filling out a PET application form
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
For learners like Lucy, studying with PET helps bridge the gap between their past and their future. You can ensure that more people in prison have the opportunity to work towards their goals - double your impact today by donating to our Summer Appeal: bit.ly/BTGBluesky3
Handwritten quote from learner that reads: “My distance learning is helping me gain a qualification to use in the community, helping me with skills. And I appreciate the PET for enabling me to do this!”
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Brilliant to be at the @unlockedgrads.bsky.social ChangeMakers event last week. Suzan and Ant met custodial managers from prisons across England and Wales to talk about the courses PET offers, plus our CEO @jonbcollins.bsky.social spoke about how to support people in prison to achieve their goals.
Suzan and Ant, from PET's Service Delivery team, at our Unlocked ChangeMakers Marketplace stand
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
We have seen an 18% increase in the number of course applications so far this year. Richard is studying A-level Maths, focusing on his long-term goal of attending university. Help make sure learners don’t miss out – have your donation doubled today: bit.ly/BTGBluesky2
Handwritten quote from learner that reads: “It gives me confidence in achieving my goals of learning and using the time wisely. It’s been a challenge to get into a routine. But the challenge of progressing, keeps the flame alive.”
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
This is a depressing report but the current slight dip in the population is an opportunity to address the failures it highlights. Reversing cuts to prison education, and ensuring education is a priority, should be at the heart of work to ensure prisons help people to turn their lives around.
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
We welcome today's call from the Chief Inspector of Prisons for the prison service to increase purposeful activity to help tackle widespread drug use and violence. Education should be the cornerstone of a safer, more hopeful prison system. The government must reverse the recent cuts.
theguardian.com
Prison education cuts driving drug use, self-harm and violence, says watchdog
Report by HM inspector of prisons for England and Wales comes as spending on frontline education falls by up to 50%
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Everyone in prison should have the opportunity to learn. That’s why today we are launching our Summer Appeal: Bridging the Gap. Help us to meet rising demands in an overstretched and underfunded system. Every donation will be doubled while match funding lasts – give today and double your impact.
bit.ly
Bridging the Gap: PET's Summer Appeal - Prisoners' Education Trust
A donation of any size to Prisoners' Education Trust makes a real difference to people in prison, helping them to build a brighter future.
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Russell Webster @russellwebster.com · 02/07/2026
Strengthening distance learning in prisons - @prisonersed.bsky.social blogs on the importance of distance learning in prisons www.russellwebster.com/strengthenin...
russellwebster.com
Strengthening distance learning in prisons
Prisoners Education Trust blogs on the importance of distance learning in prisons
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
At present, people with more than six years left to serve on their sentence cannot access student finance for degree programmes. In our new report, we're calling on the government to abolish the six-year rule, so that every learner has the opportunity to transform their life through learning.
ow.ly
New report calls on government to protect and strengthen distance learning in prison - Prisoners' Education Trust
A new Prisoners' Education Trust report calls on the government to protect distance learning in prison amid budget cuts and system pressures.
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Cutting education hours by a quarter has placed prison education under severe strain - staff made redundant, courses cut, and people with specific needs left without support. Our new report sets out how the government can work together with prison leaders to protect distance learning.
ow.ly
New report calls on government to protect and strengthen distance learning in prison - Prisoners' Education Trust
A new Prisoners' Education Trust report calls on the government to protect distance learning in prison amid budget cuts and system pressures.
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
"I started to see the connections between creativity, poetry and activism in pursuit of transgender rights and prison reform. I began to feel a passion for social change." This is a brilliant read this Pride month. We're proud to have played a part in Dalton's journey.
ow.ly
Meet our graduates — Dalton Harrison
Following his completion of the LLC’s Preparation for Higher Education (PHE) course, Dalton went on to gain undergraduate and postgraduate…
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
When it comes to opening up opportunities for higher-level study and vocational qualifications in prisons, distance learning is often the only route. Our new report – Beyond the classroom – sets out ten things prison leaders can do to protect and strengthen it in their establishments.
ow.ly
New report calls on government to protect and strengthen distance learning in prison - Prisoners' Education Trust
A new Prisoners' Education Trust report calls on the government to protect distance learning in prison amid budget cuts and system pressures.
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
In the face of increasing pressures, our new report – Beyond the classroom – sets out ten things prison leaders can do to protect and strengthen distance learning in their establishments, alongside five things the government must do to stabilise and support the wider system. Read it here 👇
prisonerseducation.org.uk
New report calls on government to protect and strengthen distance learning in prison - Prisoners' Education Trust
A new Prisoners' Education Trust report calls on the government to protect distance learning in prison amid budget cuts and system pressures.
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Lots of good points in this, particularly "it’s difficult to persuade prisoners that you care about them when you keep them in squalor". The same applies to education in prisons. It's hard to argue it's a priority if the classrooms are leaky, mouldy and generally run down.
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A story of rehabilitation of every kind. 18 homing pigeons rescued by the RSPCA are now being cared for by women at HMP/YOI Foston Hall. Women at the prison help to care for the birds and maintain the pigeon loft as part of an animal care course, run by the prison’s education provider.
ow.ly
Pigeons rehomed to a women’s prison
Eighteen pigeons were rescued by the RSPCA after their previous owners could no longer care for them. Now they’re enjoying a new life behind bars – in a prison, where they’re free to fly.
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The Welsh Affairs Committee has joined the broad range of voices calling for cuts to prison education in English prisons to be reversed. We gave evidence to this inquiry and it’s good to see our key points echoed in the report. committees.parliament.uk/committee/16...
committees.parliament.uk
Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales: Overcrowded prisons and workforce pressures undermining safety and rehabilitation, MPs warn - Committees - UK Parliament
Population pressures, staffing challenges and overcrowding have undermined staff and prisoner safety and the effectiveness of rehabilitation across the prison estate in England and Wales, the Welsh Af...
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Many people in prison struggle to read, impacting their ability to navigate daily life. If you work in a prison and want to find out how you can champion and support reading, sign up to this event in June to hear from expert voices as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
hmppsinsights.service.justice.gov.uk
Every Story Starts Here: The Power of Reading in Justice Settings  – HMPPS Insights
Learn, Share, Connect, Celebrate
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
"Prison teachers operate at the intersection of education, rehabilitation and the justice system, yet their voices are rarely central to discussions about reform." This is well worth a read - written by a prison tutor who is conducting research that explores the experience of prison educators.
ow.ly
Don't fix prison education without listening to its teachers
We talk about rehabilitation outcomes, but rarely about the prison educators delivering them
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Good to see that education at Downview has been rated 'good' by Ofsted, in a broadly positive report. This follows a positive report a couple of months ago on Low Newton and an encouraging update from HMIP on the women's estate generally (bit.ly/4dQgXJi).
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Really encouraging @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on HMP Wayland today. They've gone from 'poor' to 'reasonably good' on purposeful activity, which is impressive progress, and been rated as 'good' overall by Ofsted. hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Text from HMIP report on HMP Wayland, saying "Purposeful activity was a strength. Attendance at work and education was high, the curriculum had improved since our last inspection, and Ofsted judged overall effectiveness to be ‘good’. Leaders had been particularly resourceful in mitigating reductions to the education budget, securing sufficient activity places and implementing robust quality assurance. Few prisoners were unemployed, and plans for new workshops promised further improvements."
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
We love this: the debut publication from prison reading campaign Bang Up Books, in collaboration with Koestler Arts. All the writing comes from prisons in England and Wales. Better still, profits go to the Samaritans to support their work in prisons - get your copy here 👇 ow.ly/xP1g50YV8IE
ow.ly
Once Upon A Time | Koestler Arts
Once Upon A Time is the debut publication from Bang Up Books, a prison reading campaign. Described by one prison reader as “the book I would hand people to give them the full version of what it was like being inside so I didn’t have to explain”, the work is thoughtful, impactful, and often unexpected. Once Upon A Time spans themes from judgement, to time, to love, and loss across poetry, rap, and even a business plan. We recommend you prepare to have your preconceptions about life in prison challenged. Carefully curated over a full year, the book is a first of its kind – not only was the...
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
We've answered 89 calls in two weeks on our Advice Line - our busiest fortnight ever! A huge thank you to our inspiring team of advisers who have been giving people advice and guidance on studying in prison since the free service launched in 2020.
Handwritten quote that reads: "I have used PET Advice Line twice recently and found the advisors really helpful and friendly, thank you. I feel PET courses have given me hope and have transformed my prison journey. Thank you!"
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Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
New research from Working Chance shows that more than half of HR leaders do not feel confident recruiting and supporting people with convictions. That needs to change: work is one of the best ways of preventing people from returning to the criminal justice system. ow.ly/7hHT50YVbNV
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Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
In this interview focused on a visit to HMP Styal, the prisons minister Lord Timpson rightly notes that education helps people get a job. But education at Styal has just been cut by 30%. Given the cost of reoffending this is the very definition of a false economy. observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk
James Timpson: ‘I can see the positive in people where ot...
On a stroll around Styal jail in Cheshire, the prisons minister discusses jobs for ex-offenders, support for women inmates and why he has no political ambitions
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