Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 23h

Thank you so much to all our amazing runners who will be running the Royal Parks Half this Sunday to fundraise for PET. We can't wait to cheer from the sidelines!

You can help Ashton reach her target here: www.justgiving.com/page/ashton-...

Quote from Ashton, PET RPHM runner: "I am running because I worked with prisoners education in the past in America and I worked with GCSE resits in the UK, and in both cases saw how education can improve self efficacy, changing people's deep beliefs about what they are capable of and what purpose their life can have. This is very meaningful to people's mental health and providing education which gives people the tools to enter the work and volunteer force allows us as a society to discover the great contributions everyone can make."

1

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 9d

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.

Russell Webster @russellwebster.com · 10d

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-...

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

2 2 4

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

Russell Webster @russellwebster.com · 10d

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-...

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

1 1

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 13d

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.

2 3

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 15d

While young people in the community are starting a new school year or preparing for college or university, young people in custody are sitting in their cell doing and learning nothing.

There should be no more excuses. It’s time for a complete reset of youth custody that puts education first.

Outcomes remain worryingly poor for children in custody

An annual review of survey responses from children in custody has revealed that many continue to feel unsafe, are failing to get to education and feel uncared for by staff.

www.linkedin.com

1 2

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 18d

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...

Richard's fundraiser for Prisoners' Education Trust

Help Richard Farrant raise money to support Prisoners' Education Trust

www.justgiving.com

1 2

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 18d

'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

feweek.co.uk

1 3

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 16d

The Frank Awards - a joint programme between @longfordtrust.bsky.social and PET - help people in prison to start a degree with @openuniversity.bsky.social.

At his graduation ceremony, held in prison and attended by his family, a Frank Award holder spoke about what getting a degree meant for him 👇

"Anything is possible, if you try hard enough" - The Longford Trust

One Frank Award scholar reflected on how education has changed him, as he graduated with an MSc at a ceremony held in prison.

www.longfordtrust.org

1 1

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 18d

Another eye-catching new initiative: teaching people in prison to build bikes from bamboo.

Bamboo Bicycle Club runs a six-week bike-building course at HMP Lowdham Grange. The curriculum starts with theory lessons on workshop safety and bamboo, then spans product design, mechanics and business.

How Bamboo Bicycle Club is helping to break the prison cycle

Meet the engineer inspiring inmates to forge a new future

www.ft.com

4

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 22d

Over a four-year sentence that saw him moved between six prisons, Will Pendray carried his notebooks with him, using poetry as the one constant in an often traumatic journey.

He's now published his debut anthology after gaining an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Brighton.

Prison experience inspires Brighton graduate’s powerful poetry anthology

An ex prisoner who turned to poetry as a lifeline in jail has published his debut anthology, shaped by his postgraduate studies at the University of Brighton.

www.brighton.ac.uk

1 4

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 24d

Great to read about The Lock Inn, the mock pub-restaurant in HMP Liverpool that's training people in skills like cooking, serving and running a kitchen so they can work towards hospitality qualifications. Everyone who completes the course is guaranteed a job interview with the Marston's pub chain.

Prisoners cannot go to pubs, so pubs are going to prisons

A pub-restaurant has opened in HMP Liverpool, called The Lock Inn, training those inside in hospitality skills such as cooking, serving, and running a busy kitchen. The initiative was launched by p…

insidetime.org

4

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 25d

Last month, we reached a new milestone: we have given 50,000 educational awards to people in prison since we were founded in 1989!

There's no better way to mark the moment than to share good news about one of the learners we've supported this year: Jacob passed his A-level Maths, achieving an A* 👏

Graphic that reads: "We have given 50,000 educational awards to people in prison since we were founded in 1989"

2

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 26d

This #RememberACharityWeek, find out how leaving a gift to PET in your will can support learners like David, who’s studying for his Health and Safety qualifications: bit.ly/PET-legacy #GiftsinWills

Quote from learner that reads: "My family are happy and proud I’m using my time in prison constructively. The courses are improving my chances of employment on my release. Got my D-CAT [open prison] as I have taken steps to better myself. Confidence has improved, I have proved to myself I can achieve.”

1

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · 29d

We’ve partnered with Farewill, the UK's largest will-writing service, to offer free wills to our friends and supporters. Claim yours today and pass on a passion for learning. #RememberACharityWeek

Online Will Writing Service | Legal Will In 15 Minutes

Our solicitor-approved guide helps you write a will online from the comfort of your own home. Rated 4.9 out of 5 by over 18,000 customers on Trustpilot. National Will Writing Firm of the Year.

farewill.com

1

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · Sep 5

Good to see innovative things - in this case a workshop teaching people to build bikes out of bamboo - happening in prisons despite all the current challenges. And also good to see the value of family connections being realised.

www.ft.com/content/6ebe...

1 1

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · 29d

This is a good article on a prison-university partnership in the US.

Russell Webster @russellwebster.com · Sep 9

‘You want to talk about a world of lies?’
Teaching philosophy in prison
Jay Miller in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/news/2025/se...

‘You want to talk about a world of lies?’ Teaching philosophy in prison | Jay Miller

The long read: My class of college students and inmates can get loud and rowdy, with everyone engaged. This is what philosophy should look like

www.theguardian.com

1 1

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · Sep 8

Today marks the start of #RememberACharityWeek, celebrating the wonderful people who leave a gift to charity in their will.

After taking care of your family and friends, any gift – however big or small - can make a huge impact. Find out more here: bit.ly/PET-legacy

2

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · Sep 3

The government has chosen the easy way out in the new Sentencing Bill, basing earned progression solely on complying with prison rules rather than on participation in education and training. They should look again at how it can be used to give people the skills they need to turn their lives around.

The Sentencing Bill

We set out the key clauses within the Sentencing Bill, laid before Parliament on 2 September. These include a new progression model, a presumption against short sentences and changes to community…

www.clinks.org

4

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · Aug 28

Staff shortages, and broader challenges like overcrowding, have a significant impact on the delivery of education.

The government must address these and put right the severe underfunding of education across the estate so children – and adults – can gain the skills they need to thrive on release.

'Bleak existence' at London young offenders institute

The chief prisons inspector has warned of a 'bleak existence' for boys at a young offender institute in West London due to poor education attendance

feweek.co.uk

1 3

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

Jon Collins @jonbcollins.bsky.social · Aug 14

Some thoughts on the new prison education contracts. Broadly speaking there's some change but there's a lot that's the same, and the biggest question is whether there's enough funding available to drive much-needed improvements.

(Thanks, as always, to @russellwebster.com for publishing it!)

Russell Webster @russellwebster.com · Aug 14

New prison education contracts - more of the same?
Jon Collins of @prisonersed.bsky.social outlines the new prison education contracts.
www.russellwebster.com/new-prison-e...

New prison education contracts – more of the same?

Jon Collins of the Prisoners' Education Trust outlines the new prison education contracts.

www.russellwebster.com

1 2 1

Reposted by Prisoners' Education Trust

Russell Webster @russellwebster.com · Aug 14

New prison education contracts - more of the same?
Jon Collins of @prisonersed.bsky.social outlines the new prison education contracts.
www.russellwebster.com/new-prison-e...

New prison education contracts – more of the same?

Jon Collins of the Prisoners' Education Trust outlines the new prison education contracts.

www.russellwebster.com

2 1

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · Aug 16

There's still time to apply for our Policy Manager role! The closing date for applications is this Monday at 5pm.

Help us influence prison education policy and improve educational experiences for people in prison. Apply here 👇

Policy Manager - Prisoners' Education Trust

Prisoners’ Education Trust is looking for a Policy Manager to play a key role in our work at a critical time for prison education policy.

prisonerseducation.org.uk

4 4

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · Aug 6

Thank you so much to everyone who supported our appeal. We raised £10,127 which will be matched thanks to a generous trust to total £20,127!

Your generosity impacts the lives of so many people in prison, supporting them on their journey of finding hope, drive and recovery through education.

Graphic of a quote from PET alumnus Andy that reads: "That's what PET is giving people in prison today: the hope, the drive and just a day where they can feel that little bit normal and that: 'I'm OK'."

1 2

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · Aug 5

This is a really helpful rundown from FE Week on the new prison education contracts, which begin this October.

It reveals that the Ministry of Justice failed to award a contract for the West Midlands due to “exceptionally close scoring” between bidders - with Novus granted a six-month extension.

Existing providers win £1.5bn prison education ‘overhaul’

Critics warn the system will continue to fail unless more drastic action is taken

feweek.co.uk

3

Prisoners' Education Trust @prisonersed.bsky.social · Jul 30

The Ministry of Justice has awarded the new contracts for education provision across the adult public prison estate in England.

The new Prisoner Education Services (PES) contracts will replace the current contracts in the autumn.

Find out the providers for the 11 regional lots here ⬇️

New prison education contracts awarded - Prisoners' Education Trust

The Ministry of Justice has awarded the new contracts for education provision across the adult public prison estate in England.

prisonerseducation.org.uk

1