CAN EDUCATION REDUCE OFFENDING?

To test this assertion, in 1993 the Trust commissioned a three-year research project.
The results were published in a pamphlet, Supported Distance Learning in Prison (1997) by Mike Maguire, Professor of Criminology at Cardiff University and Dr Terry Honess.

A group of 30 men, all of whom had at least three, previous, serious convictions, were offered the opportunity to take distance learning courses. All were carefully counselled about their choices and their progress recorded over the following three years. Predictions were made of the chances of them staying out of prison for more than 2 years. The majority were freed shortly after the end of the project.

Although the predictions made were largely accurate, one of the men given a poor chance was the most successful and went on to take a university course when he was released.

Two years after their release the men's records were checked for reconviction on the Home Office's Offenders' Index. The sample divided neatly into three groups, with almost equal numbers of prisoners in each. It revealed that those who had completed their courses were less likely to have re-offended than those who had only partially completed or those who had failed to start.

The results were published in Mike Maguire's Reconviction after Two Years (1998).
The Trust is acutely aware that caution must be exercised when drawing any conclusions from such a small sample. However, such results are encouraging and point the way forward for further research. As a result of the research, the Trust also published a pamphlet outlining the conditions required to succeed in distance learning in prison - Optimum Conditions for Successful Open and Distance Learning (June 1998).

Future Plans
The Trust jointly with the University of Central England, has employed a PhD student to look at the motivation of prisoners taking courses and the role of education in the prevention of re-offending
Education - Beyond the Basics - 17 May 2000
To stimulate further discussion on the important topic of the role of education, a conference is being arranged in collaboration with the University of Central England. Further details will be posted early in the New Year. Alternatively, please contact the Trust directly. For contact details please CLICK HERE.

Copies of pamphlets and a video 'The Will to Learn' are available from the Trust: for details, please Email Us