We write to address the central misrepresentation in Helena Pozniak’s article (The criminology course opening the door to education for prisoners, theguardian.com, 9 November) regarding UK prison education programmes.
Pozniak’s article details a UK initiative which features the hallmarks of a US programme established 20 years ago. The Inside-Out prison education programme’s recognised characteristics include Inside (prison) students joining with Outside (university) students to engage in a transformative learning experience within prison, in an atmosphere of mutual respect, with rules of conduct explicitly agreed at the start. All students complete the same readings and assessments, engage in weekly academic discussions about criminal justice and related issues, and obtain a certificate recognising their successful completion at a closing ceremony. Professor Lori Pompa established Inside-Out 20 years ago in the US in collaboration with men incarcerated in Graterford Correctional Facility, Philadelphia, many of whom are serving life sentences without parole and who continue, with Pompa, to offer intensive training to any academic wishing to roll out this unique model of community-based education. With more than 500 Inside-Out instructors and 20,000 alumni across the US, Australia, and Europe, Pompa will this month receive the American Society of Criminology lifetime achievement award for teaching in recognition of her efforts. We welcome the contribution that any UK colleagues make in developing prison education opportunities here but urge them to acknowledge Inside-Out and the role it has played in shaping their project if drawing so heavily upon it.
Professor Fiona Measham, Dr Kate O’Brien, Dr Hannah King, Dr Ivan Hill, Diana Scott Durham University
Dr Caroline Chatwin, Dr Camille Stengal, Dr Marianne Duggan University of Kent
Tom Raymen University of Plymouth
Dr Eric Baumgartner, Dr Laura Goldsack University of Teesside
Dr Joey Whitfield University of Leeds
Dr Anne Schwan Edinburgh Napier University
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