Jon Collins
@jonbcollins.bsky.social
Chief Executive of Prisoners’ Education Trust (@prisonersed.bsky.social) and criminal justice nerd.
It's always great to see positive coverage of work that prisons are doing, like this farm in East Sutton Park.
One person said, for example, that "Farming, to me, is really special. I found it to be a brilliant escape from everything I've ever known".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
One person said, for example, that "Farming, to me, is really special. I found it to be a brilliant escape from everything I've ever known".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Maidstone prison teaches inmates to run farm on site - BBC News
The farm holds cattle, sheep and pigs – some of which are named after prison officers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
It's always great to see positive coverage of work that prisons are doing, like this farm in East Sutton Park.
One person said, for example, that "Farming, to me, is really special. I found it to be a brilliant escape from everything I've ever known".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
One person said, for example, that "Farming, to me, is really special. I found it to be a brilliant escape from everything I've ever known".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No surprises here, sadly. YOIs are really, really struggling to provide a regime that gets young people out of their cells.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
👮 None of England’s young offender institutions provided children in their care with the education they were entitled to during the last three years, an FE Week probe has revealed
feweek.co.uk/englands-thr...
feweek.co.uk/englands-thr...
England's three YOIs fail 15-hour education requirement
None of England’s young offender institutions provided children in their care with the education they were entitled to during the last three years reveals probe
feweek.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
No surprises here, sadly. YOIs are really, really struggling to provide a regime that gets young people out of their cells.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first, to give young people opportunities to develop the skills they’ll need to thrive as adults.
I really enjoyed this discussion with Charlie Taylor of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social and Cathy McGuinness, even if the general tone was quite downbeat.
Education in prison can make such a difference, which is why it's so important to get it right.
Education in prison can make such a difference, which is why it's so important to get it right.
Last week, we held a Howard League Spotlights event on prison education and training. A recording of the event is now available on our website and YouTube channel.
If you missed the discussion, or if you would like to watch it again, click here: https://howardleague.org/spotlights/
If you missed the discussion, or if you would like to watch it again, click here: https://howardleague.org/spotlights/
November 21, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I really enjoyed this discussion with Charlie Taylor of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social and Cathy McGuinness, even if the general tone was quite downbeat.
Education in prison can make such a difference, which is why it's so important to get it right.
Education in prison can make such a difference, which is why it's so important to get it right.
It’s always good to see more employers committed to employing prison leavers.
But it’s also vital to get prison education working properly, so people in prison can get the skills and qualifications that employers need.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But it’s also vital to get prison education working properly, so people in prison can get the skills and qualifications that employers need.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Crime-cutting jobs plan sees hundreds of firms join hiring drive
Britain’s biggest businesses have joined the Government’s hiring drive to get prison leavers into work in effort to cut crime as part of the Plan for Change.
www.gov.uk
November 16, 2025 at 11:46 AM
It’s always good to see more employers committed to employing prison leavers.
But it’s also vital to get prison education working properly, so people in prison can get the skills and qualifications that employers need.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But it’s also vital to get prison education working properly, so people in prison can get the skills and qualifications that employers need.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Predictably critical report out today from the Justice Select Committee on rehabilitation in prisons. But good to see the committee call for the government to "publish a clear plan to improve both participation and quality in prison education".
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
‘Dire’ prison conditions putting rehabilitation and reoffending reduction ‘at risk’, Justice Committee warns - Committees - UK Parliament
Prison overcrowding, staffing shortages and deteriorating infrastructure is having a ‘profound impact on the ability of prisons to deliver rehabilitation’, a new report published today (No...
committees.parliament.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Predictably critical report out today from the Justice Select Committee on rehabilitation in prisons. But good to see the committee call for the government to "publish a clear plan to improve both participation and quality in prison education".
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
If this happens, I think just one PCC - Tim Passmore in Suffolk - will have been in the role for the entire 16 year period it will have existed.
Katy Bourne has also held the role in Sussex since 2012, but it's due to be abolished there when a new mayor is elected in 2027.
Katy Bourne has also held the role in Sussex since 2012, but it's due to be abolished there when a new mayor is elected in 2027.
November 13, 2025 at 12:04 PM
If this happens, I think just one PCC - Tim Passmore in Suffolk - will have been in the role for the entire 16 year period it will have existed.
Katy Bourne has also held the role in Sussex since 2012, but it's due to be abolished there when a new mayor is elected in 2027.
Katy Bourne has also held the role in Sussex since 2012, but it's due to be abolished there when a new mayor is elected in 2027.
This is one of the saddest things I've read for a long time but it's also beautifully written and important.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong
The long read: I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:51 AM
This is one of the saddest things I've read for a long time but it's also beautifully written and important.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
This is a typically forthright assessment of the state of the prison system - which he describes as “close to breaking point” - by Charlie Taylor of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social in the Telegraph. And good to see cuts to education budgets highlighted.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This is a typically forthright assessment of the state of the prison system - which he describes as “close to breaking point” - by Charlie Taylor of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social in the Telegraph. And good to see cuts to education budgets highlighted.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Well, this is bleak. Not wrong. But bleak.
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Flashing Red
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Well, this is bleak. Not wrong. But bleak.
Nice to read about something positive in the prison system - the work of @libertychoiruk.bsky.social!
“Hans is distressed, angry. But then he sings. He smiles. A first moment of calm.”
Read more as Paul Webster shares what he learned singing with prisoners every week.
https://bit.ly/3JDjnPg
Read more as Paul Webster shares what he learned singing with prisoners every week.
https://bit.ly/3JDjnPg
What I learned singing with prisoners every week
Behind bars, violence and despair are overwhelming. But when Liberty Choir meets, something extraordinary happens
bit.ly
November 2, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Nice to read about something positive in the prison system - the work of @libertychoiruk.bsky.social!
Good to see this recommendation on increasing access to education and training in today’s Justice Select Committee report on drugs in prison.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
October 31, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Good to see this recommendation on increasing access to education and training in today’s Justice Select Committee report on drugs in prison.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...
I'm looking forward to giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on prison education in Wales this afternoon, with @stgilestrust.bsky.social and Estyn . Lots to cover, including funding, breadth of provision and digital learning.
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2557747...
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2557747...
MPs to examine education and employment opportunities for Welsh prisoners
MPs are set to examine education and employment opportunities for Welsh prisoners at a meeting in the Palace of Westminster.
www.southwalesargus.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I'm looking forward to giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on prison education in Wales this afternoon, with @stgilestrust.bsky.social and Estyn . Lots to cover, including funding, breadth of provision and digital learning.
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2557747...
www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/2557747...
Reposted by Jon Collins
With the publication of the ‘Just passing time’ thematic review, Chief Inspector, Charlie Taylor, outlines the problems with current work and training provision in adult prisons and his concerns that cuts will make things worse.
Read the blog: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/what-do...
Read the blog: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/what-do...
October 15, 2025 at 9:52 AM
With the publication of the ‘Just passing time’ thematic review, Chief Inspector, Charlie Taylor, outlines the problems with current work and training provision in adult prisons and his concerns that cuts will make things worse.
Read the blog: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/what-do...
Read the blog: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/what-do...
Reposted by Jon Collins
Good luck to everyone running the Royal Parks Half today! We have six wonderful runners fundraising for PET.
Here’s why Liv is choosing to run for us today. You can support her efforts here: https://ow.ly/2gaw50X9egO
Here’s why Liv is choosing to run for us today. You can support her efforts here: https://ow.ly/2gaw50X9egO
October 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Good luck to everyone running the Royal Parks Half today! We have six wonderful runners fundraising for PET.
Here’s why Liv is choosing to run for us today. You can support her efforts here: https://ow.ly/2gaw50X9egO
Here’s why Liv is choosing to run for us today. You can support her efforts here: https://ow.ly/2gaw50X9egO
This is a terrific article on pub closures, including looking at the Trafalgar near me in Colliers Wood.
It’s so impressive what @londonermag.bsky.social, and @jim.londoncentric.media’s @londoncentric.media, are doing for London journalism.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/trafalgar-wi...
It’s so impressive what @londonermag.bsky.social, and @jim.londoncentric.media’s @londoncentric.media, are doing for London journalism.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/trafalgar-wi...
They claim to save London pubs. So why have they shut so many down?
Linea Homes has been called the “grim reaper” of pubs. Their targets include some of Peckham, Wimbledon and Camden’s most iconic boozers.
www.the-londoner.co.uk
October 4, 2025 at 7:03 AM
This is a terrific article on pub closures, including looking at the Trafalgar near me in Colliers Wood.
It’s so impressive what @londonermag.bsky.social, and @jim.londoncentric.media’s @londoncentric.media, are doing for London journalism.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/trafalgar-wi...
It’s so impressive what @londonermag.bsky.social, and @jim.londoncentric.media’s @londoncentric.media, are doing for London journalism.
www.the-londoner.co.uk/trafalgar-wi...
I've had a look at the prison education statistics for last year and there's some good news in there, albeit very modest and from a low starting point.
Hard to see how that will be sustained, though, with upcoming budget cuts about to hit provision that was already chronically underfunded.
Hard to see how that will be sustained, though, with upcoming budget cuts about to hit provision that was already chronically underfunded.
Small gains in prison education at risk from budget cuts
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com/small-gains-...
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com/small-gains-...
Small gains in prison education at risk from budget cuts
Jon Collins of the Prisoners' Education Trust reviews the latest performance figures in the shadow of looming budget cuts.
www.russellwebster.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I've had a look at the prison education statistics for last year and there's some good news in there, albeit very modest and from a low starting point.
Hard to see how that will be sustained, though, with upcoming budget cuts about to hit provision that was already chronically underfunded.
Hard to see how that will be sustained, though, with upcoming budget cuts about to hit provision that was already chronically underfunded.
Good to see @feweek.bsky.social covering the recent @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on child custody.
Young people are spending far too much time in their cell and not enough time in classrooms or doing other positive activities.
Young people are spending far too much time in their cell and not enough time in classrooms or doing other positive activities.
September 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Good to see @feweek.bsky.social covering the recent @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on child custody.
Young people are spending far too much time in their cell and not enough time in classrooms or doing other positive activities.
Young people are spending far too much time in their cell and not enough time in classrooms or doing other positive activities.
More than a third of children in custody spend less than two hours a day out of their cell during the week. More than half spend less than two hours a day out of their cell on weekends.
Young people who've already been failed by the system are being failed again.
Young people who've already been failed by the system are being failed again.
In this year's Children in custody report, many of the issues identified in our 2023-24 inspections remained.
Find out more about some of our key findings in the infographic below.
Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Find out more about some of our key findings in the infographic below.
Read the report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
September 23, 2025 at 8:38 AM
More than a third of children in custody spend less than two hours a day out of their cell during the week. More than half spend less than two hours a day out of their cell on weekends.
Young people who've already been failed by the system are being failed again.
Young people who've already been failed by the system are being failed again.
I’ve written an article for @feweek.bsky.social on why prison education matters and why budgets cuts are a mistake.
'Prison education funding cuts are a serious misstep'
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social on how new research shows most prisoners were failed by the education system. Prison education budget-cutting risks failing them twice
@jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social on how new research shows most prisoners were failed by the education system. Prison education budget-cutting risks failing them twice
feweek.co.uk
September 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I’ve written an article for @feweek.bsky.social on why prison education matters and why budgets cuts are a mistake.
A huge, huge thank you to Richard Farrant, who's currently celebrating his 80th birthday by cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End and is raising money for @prisonersed.bsky.social.
If you can contribute at all, I'm sure that'd help him on his way.
www.justgiving.com/page/richard...
If you can contribute at all, I'm sure that'd help him on his way.
www.justgiving.com/page/richard...
Richard's fundraiser for Prisoners' Education Trust
Help Richard Farrant raise money to support Prisoners' Education Trust
www.justgiving.com
September 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A huge, huge thank you to Richard Farrant, who's currently celebrating his 80th birthday by cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End and is raising money for @prisonersed.bsky.social.
If you can contribute at all, I'm sure that'd help him on his way.
www.justgiving.com/page/richard...
If you can contribute at all, I'm sure that'd help him on his way.
www.justgiving.com/page/richard...
Good to see the Law Society calling for more investment in prison education in their response to the Sentencing Bill.
www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-v...
www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-v...
September 16, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Good to see the Law Society calling for more investment in prison education in their response to the Sentencing Bill.
www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-v...
www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-v...
This is v.good by @cassiarowland.bsky.social on the Sentencing Bill, including the potential benefits of earned progression if it can be implemented properly if/when current pressures on the prison system subside.
Let's face it, it's not often I get to say nice things about what's happening in criminal justice. But the Sentencing Bill, up before the Commons today, is an exception! It's not perfect, but there's lots to like and the gov should hold firm against pressure to water down proposals. 🧵
The government is taking the right approach to sentencing reform | Institute for Government
There is a lot to welcome in the Sentencing Bill.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 16, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This is v.good by @cassiarowland.bsky.social on the Sentencing Bill, including the potential benefits of earned progression if it can be implemented properly if/when current pressures on the prison system subside.
Good article by @shipleywrites.bsky.social looking at cuts to prison education budgets.
www.spectator.co.uk/article/cutt...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/cutt...
Cutting prison education is a calamity
Prisons across the country are slashing education funding. According to the Guardian, public money for prison education courses is being reduced by almost 50 per cent. As a result, basic English and m...
www.spectator.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Good article by @shipleywrites.bsky.social looking at cuts to prison education budgets.
www.spectator.co.uk/article/cutt...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/cutt...
Here's the story for this: inews.co.uk/news/welder-...
It's a proposal from Make UK Defence and the Fair Chance Business Alliance for an apprenticeship scheme that would help people leaving prison into skilled jobs in the defence industry.
It's a proposal from Make UK Defence and the Fair Chance Business Alliance for an apprenticeship scheme that would help people leaving prison into skilled jobs in the defence industry.
i Sport: Prisoners will help to build warships under new plan to boost UK defences #TomorrowsPapersToday
September 14, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Here's the story for this: inews.co.uk/news/welder-...
It's a proposal from Make UK Defence and the Fair Chance Business Alliance for an apprenticeship scheme that would help people leaving prison into skilled jobs in the defence industry.
It's a proposal from Make UK Defence and the Fair Chance Business Alliance for an apprenticeship scheme that would help people leaving prison into skilled jobs in the defence industry.
The new prison education contracts do not address current chronic underfunding, with rising costs leaving some prisons facing substantial cuts.
The government should look again at finding more funding to enable people to use their time in prison constructively.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The government should look again at finding more funding to enable people to use their time in prison constructively.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Prisons in England and Wales to cut spending on education courses by up to 50%
Move comes despite election manifesto promises from Keir Starmer to improve ‘access to learning’
www.theguardian.com
September 14, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The new prison education contracts do not address current chronic underfunding, with rising costs leaving some prisons facing substantial cuts.
The government should look again at finding more funding to enable people to use their time in prison constructively.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The government should look again at finding more funding to enable people to use their time in prison constructively.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...