Learners' Stories
Over the past 25 years Prisoners' Education Trust (PET) has helped thousands of people in prison.
We regularly receive letters from our learners and alumni about their achievements both in prison and back in their communities. People like Frank, who had been in and out of prison for more than 30 years before he found his ‘way out’ of crime through education. He is now in his final year at university. Search for their stories, experiences and views below. Some of their letters highlight the barriers that prevent people from learning in prison and through PET's work championing prison education we seek to address their concerns.
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I drew my way out of prison: Erika's story
Women | WomenWhen Erika went to prison she set herself the task of drawing a postcard a day for the whole of her sentence. Getting funding for a BA Hons in Visual Arts inside opened the door to working as an artist and tutor after release.
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"I spent 40 years being told I was stupid. Distance learning changed that"
Women | WomenEvery year, PET funds over 200 women in prison to take distance learning courses or receive arts materials. Communications Manager Katy Oglethorpe travelled to Cheshire’s HMP Styal to meet some of them.
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"Education is the key that opens the golden door of freedom" - Ola's story
Women | WomenSome of the women we’ve funded have gone on to support others on a similar journey. Studying for a Diploma in counselling meant Ola could help other women in prison transform their lives through education.
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"My years of experience will not be wasted": reflections on the PET Alumni Evening
Ex-prisoners | Alumni NetworkFormer prisoner and criminal justice blogger David Breakspear reflects on his first PET alumni party - a night of inspiration and passion.
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Film: "I went to uni after a life sentence": Jason's story
All | University studyJason was 17 when he went to prison. At the end of his sentence he decided to apply to university. In this video interview, he talks about overcoming rejection to gain a place at university, and why all institutions should welcome people with a history of imprisonment.
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‘If I were governor?’: People in prison respond
All | Prison staffEarlier this year, we asked Inside Time readers, ‘What would you do if you were governor for the day?’ The importance of equality, visibility and adequate support for staff were some of the things they came back with.
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'I went back to prison to quiz the Justice Secretary'
All | Government policyAfter Justice Secretary David Gauke announced the government’s new Education and Employment strategy at HMP Isis, Nnamdi Efobi, who was released from the prison earlier this year, asked the Justice Secretary about the role of technology in prison education and the barriers employers face when building a presence in prisons.
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Taking stock: My journey from prison to a career in the City
Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) | Learner voiceEgerton's path to working in finance started in prison, when he saw a book about investing with a picture of a black man on the cover. Getting funding from PET allowed him to take the next step towards realising his ambitions and still inspires today.
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'I was rejected from university because of my record, now I’m campaigning for fair treatment'
All | University studyAfter leaving prison, Georgie set up a successful construction business. But his heart was in architecture, and last year he decided to apply to start a degree. He was accepted, only to be turned down once the university learned of his past. Now he's fighting for fairer treatment, lendng his voice to a campaign for fair chances.
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'I lost my anger' - Paddy's story: from spelling 'dog' to gaining a degree
All | Learner voicePatrick was released on life licence in 2015, after serving 15 years in prison. Having struggled to read and write at the time he began his sentence, he was later funded by PET to begin an Open University degree