Learning Needs of Prison Inmates and Perspectives of Distance Education

Overview & Synopsis

The right to education is fundamental and must be provided to all without restriction. Distance learning methodologies present key learning opportunities for those with limited access to conventional education, such as prison inmates, and come in response to the demand for new solutions in the field of educational activities. The ever-increasing need for new forms of education highlights distance learning in prison schools as a key pillar of the new learning process. Education in prisons as a way of reintegrating offenders is an essential means of changing behavior patterns as well as for acquiring knowledge and developing-improving skills, while aiming at the smooth professional integration of inmates. The present study presents a review of distance education in prisons, as well as qualitative research examining aspects related to distance education in a prison of central Greece, which includes observation as well as interviews with thirty-six inmates. The results of the qualitative research show that Greek language courses are essential for reading, writing and communication with more teaching time for developing-improving the skills of the inmates. Distance education is an essential tool for inmates to acquire the necessary skills for social reintegration and smooth professional integration.