In this webinar we're learning about how coaching supports people living and working in prison.

In conversation with Spark Inside's Head of Programmes, Dr Karen Graham, and one of Spark Inside's life coaches, Dorottya Szuk, we're exploring: how coaching works; how individuals develop through coaching; and how coaching supports personal and institutional development.

Spark Inside uses coaching techniques to transform lives in prisons across London and the South East. With a focus on supporting young people, during lockdown Spark Inside expanded its programmes to work with prison staff, too.

Coaching - like Spark Inside - enhances relationships, improves understanding, and promotes cultural change on prison wings.

Discover more about the work of Spark Inside at www.sparkinside.org.

Wednesday Webinar: Spark Inside on the Value of Coaching in Prisons

This Year At PLA | PLA Conference Day 1

Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System with Michael Ryan HMI Probation | PLA Conference Day 1

50% of people in prison cannot read, or struggle to. Shannon Trust inspires and trains prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t.

In conversation with CEO of Shannon Trust, Ian Merrill, at our recent webinar attendees discussed basic literacy amongst people in prison, and the approach to this issue in the criminal justice system.

Wednesday Webinar: Unlocking the Power of Reading with Shannon Trust

We recently hosted a PLA Wednesday Webinar in conversation with Dr Cormac Behan, author of UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning publication, Prison Education: A literature review. In the publication, Dr Cormac Behan identifies current trends, progress and obstacles in prison education at a global level.

At our webinar, Cormac discussed his approach to the review and its key findings, with a particular focus on international examples of good practice. We then opened the virtual floor to questions and comments from the audience.

Wednesday Webinar: International Good Practice in Prison Education with Dr Cormac Behan

We recently held a PLA Wednesday Webinar in conversation with Professor Lesley McAra and Professor Susan McVie, Co-Directors of The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime.

At this webinar, Lesley and Susan presented the findings of The Edinburgh Study's most recent research phase, which follows-up with participants age 35 to examine the causes and impacts of criminal justice pathways on longer-term life chances. 

We then opened the virtual floor to questions and comments from the audience.

Wednesday Webinar: The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime

We recently held a PLA Wednesday Webinar on teaching philosophy in prisons, with Andy West and John Vorhaus. 

Andy West has taught philosophy in prisons since 2016, and published his book, The Life Inside: A Memoir of Prison, Family and Philosophy’ earlier this year.

John Vorhaus is Professor of Moral and Educational Philosophy at UCL and Co-Director of the UCL Centre for Education and Criminal Justice. He also, in his spare time, teaches philosophy at HMP Wormwood Scrubs.

The session began with a reading from Andy's book, followed by a conversation between Andy and John, and finally questions and comments from the audience.

Wednesday Webinar: 'The Life Inside: A Memoir of Prison, Family and Philosophy' with Andy West

We recently held a PLA Wednesday Webinar with The Bell Foundation on language barriers in prisons and the wider criminal justice system.

The Bell Foundation aims to improve policy and practice for people who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL). They have funded a new research series on the impact of language barriers on individuals’ experiences of the criminal justice system, conducted by the Institute of Crime and Justice Policy Research (ICPR) at Birkbeck, University of London.

At this webinar, Gill Hunter, Senior Research Fellow at ICPR and lead researcher on the series, presented some of her findings. Emily Giles, Criminal Justice Policy and Programme Manager at The Bell Foundation, then talked about some of the resources they have available and others that they plan to develop.

We then opened the virtual floor to questions and comments from the audience.

Wednesday Webinar: Language barriers in the criminal justice system

In this webinar, Dr Helen Nichols discusses her research into the benefits of education for men in prison.

We often speak about prison education as increasing employability skills and preventing reoffending. But we need to pay more attention to its broader outcomes and its role in developing self-confidence, empowerment and the ability to engage in positive relationships.

Understanding the Educational Experiences of Imprisoned Men – published by Dr Helen Nichols in September 2022 - looks at how education is used by men in prison to cope with prison life, to reconsider their identity and to develop and maintain relationships.

It also discusses the relationships that prisoners have with their teachers and other prison staff as well as the relationships that different types of prison staff have between each other.

Helen Nichols is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Hull having previously held posts at the University of Lincoln and Leeds Beckett University.

Wednesday Webinar: The Educational Experiences of Men in Prison

In this webinar, we are joined by Prison Advice and Care Trust, Prison Reading Groups, National Literacy Trust, and The Reading Agency, to discuss family learning in prisons. The session is chaired by Jonathan Gilbert – PLA Steering Committee member and former prisoner – who reflects on the impact initiatives such as these had on him, and his family, while in prison.

Wednesday Webinar: Family Learning in Prisons

We recently held a PLA Wednesday Webinar on Shakespeare in prisons, with Rowan Mackenzie.

Rowan is founder and Artistic Director of Shakespeare UnBard, facilitating permanent, collaborative theatre companies and Creative Workshops in multiple prisons.

In her new book, "Creating Space for Shakespeare: Working with Marginalized Communities", Rowan draws on projects internationally (many of which she has facilitated) with people in prison, people with mental health issues, learning disabilities or those who have experienced homelessness, to show how Shakespeare can help people speak and be heard in ways which may previously have been elusive or unattainable.

The session began with a reading from Rowan's book, followed by a conversation with PET's Cassie Edmiston, and finally questions and comments from the audience.

Wednesday Webinar: "Creating Space For Shakespeare" with Rowan Mackenzie

Creative writing teacher at HMP Littlehey Paul Dance talks with Executive Director of Safe Ground Charlie Weinberg about creative writing and the prison education curriculum.

Prisoner Learning Alliance

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